G11 Battery Issue

The problem shows up as a prompt to have date/time set when I turn on the camera.

Someone helpfully suggested the manual provides a solution. I've followed the procedure and the problem has come back again.

Here's what the manual says:
1. Remove the battery and recharge fully.

2. Insert the battery and allow 4 hours for the internal battery to be recharged.

I did this and set date/time, and the problem appeared to be resolved. Then it came back again.

I had a G9 with a spare battery and never had a problem.

I wonder if the cause is:

• Defective camera?
• The way I use the camera (removing the battery for a prolonged period for charging; this may drain down the internal battery?

I'm concerned that the cost of a spare battery is $94 + tax! That surely got my attention.

Unfortunately the spare battery for my G9 does not fit in the G11. I knew that when I bought the G11.

Would it be worthwhile buying a spare battery to solve this problem? Darned expensive!

DAveL
Toronto

I would get an off brand battery from ebay. They are cheap enough and I've never had a problem with them.

Canon compact internal batteries usually hold their charge (i.e. retain the time and date) for several weeks after the main battery has been removed. For how long after you have removed the G11 battery does the internal battery retain the time/date?

I wouldn't spend any money on any batteries until you know what the fault is!

Take it back to Canon or the retailer for repair.

Guessing and spending money sounds crazy to me.

Buying a non-brand battery may invalidate your guarantee, be warned.

Thanks for your comments. The retailer (Henry's Mississauga) offered no help except an offer to send the camera back. The way the offer was presented and the way comments were offered about no obligation on their part made me sad I had spent money there.
DaveL

edit: I had no expectation of special treatment or replacement. It would have been sufficient to hear they had no knowledge of the problem and would find out.
The attendant didn't even know there was an internal battery.

I simply want a reliable camera like my G9 was.

D

I had the battery out overnight. I put the battery back in and took the camera out later in the day. It was stored in an insulated pocket, but the temperature outside was just below freezing.
Thanks for asking
DaveL
Toronto

ps I had a G9 that never caused me problems. I've sent an email to Canon for advice. No quarrel with Canon; no pleasure at the store that sold me the camera. They didn't know about the internal battery...

I'm surprised to hear your retailer felt he had no obligation - don't you have consumer protection laws over there?

No retailer in the UK would dare say such a thing, everyone knows they are responsible, period.

Are the battery contacts clean?

Freezing temperatures can kill lithium Ion batteries.
--
'I don't necessarily believe everything I say'!

D Lynch said:

The problem shows up as a prompt to have date/time set when I turn on the camera.

Someone helpfully suggested the manual provides a solution. I've followed the procedure and the problem has come back again.

Here's what the manual says:
1. Remove the battery and recharge fully.

2. Insert the battery and allow 4 hours for the internal battery to be recharged.

I did this and set date/time, and the problem appeared to be resolved. Then it came back again.

I had a G9 with a spare battery and never had a problem.

I wonder if the cause is:

• Defective camera?
• The way I use the camera (removing the battery for a prolonged period for charging; this may drain down the internal battery?

Click to expand...

I would fully charge the battery, place the battery in the camera and DON'T remove it until a charge is really necessary.

D Lynch said:

I'm concerned that the cost of a spare battery is $94 + tax! That surely got my attention.

Unfortunately the spare battery for my G9 does not fit in the G11. I knew that when I bought the G11.

Would it be worthwhile buying a spare battery to solve this problem? Darned expensive!

DAveL
Toronto

Click to expand...

--
Digart

Mike good question...consumer protection for bait & switch. Very little/not much if you go to a store and buy.
A short cooling off period if they come to your house and sell.

I don't know of anymore.
That's in Ontario Canada fwiw.
DaveL
Toronto

Contacts--I'll check. I'm charging the battery right now.

So there's no battery in the camera, and the internal battery is holding the date/time I hope!

DaveL

Hi Digart,
That's about the way I work.

If I haven't charged it in a while, and plan heavier use I may charge.

I used it hard tonight, and it's being charged.

But...I had no trouble at all with my G9 (although I had 2 batteries.)

DaveL

ps I resent someone trying to sell me a battery for $94+tax! Pretty dear.

Brand new Canon NB-7L on Amazon for $35.99
--
'I don't necessarily believe everything I say'!

Many of us here have had great success with Sterling batteries and the nb7L is $25 !!

They have more capacity (1350 mAh) than the Canon and are made from Japanese cells if that is important to you. I always carry a spare charged battery for emergencies.

http://sterlingtek.com/canb13mahcob.html

JR
--
Nikon F
Argus C44R (gorgeous)
Fuji S100fs
Canon A20, A80, A710, A650, G11
Collections: http://www.flickr.com/photos/25863948@N07/collections/

Jerrich said:

Many of us here have had great success with Sterling batteries and the nb7L is $25 !!

They have more capacity (1350 mAh) than the Canon and are made from > Japanese cells if that is important to you. I always carry a spare charged battery > for emergencies.

Click to expand...

I've never had a battery rupture inside a digital camera but lost a film camera once that way. Energizer paid for it but it was iffy for a while.

For the few bucks difference I'll go with a Canon OEM. If damage occurs Canon will make it good. If one ruptures it'll be your loss if you use a after market battery.

I also lost a Mag light from a ruptured Duracell, that was covered too. I hadn't used it for a few months, think that lack of use could contribute to a rupture rather than over charging. Cut it open with a hack saw to see the inside. The threaded parts looked they were epoxied together.

For the few extra bucks I'll keep a Canon in my Canon!

Jerrich said:

http://sterlingtek.com/canb13mahcob.html

JR
--
Nikon F
Argus C44R (gorgeous)
Fuji S100fs
Canon A20, A80, A710, A650, G11
Collections: http://www.flickr.com/photos/25863948@N07/collections/

Click to expand...

--
'I don't necessarily believe everything I say'!

Hey Dave,

sorry to hear about that. I've been dealing with Henry's, and that location in particular for a few years and never had any issues. Why don't you have them send it back to Canon to check? The Canon office is just 10 minutes away at Dixie & Britannia (or thereabouts). Actually, now that I think about it, just take it straight to Canon. Take your receipt with you and I'm sure they should be able to help you out. If you want to save time, call Canon first and see what they say as the camera should still be under warranty since it's less than 6 mths old.

Either way, good luck!
.

D Lynch said:

Thanks for your comments. The retailer (Henry's Mississauga) offered no help except an offer to send the camera back. The way the offer was presented and the way comments were offered about no obligation on their part made me sad I had spent money there.
DaveL

edit: I had no expectation of special treatment or replacement. It would have been sufficient to hear they had no knowledge of the problem and would find out.
The attendant didn't even know there was an internal battery.

I simply want a reliable camera like my G9 was.

D

Click to expand...

--
Nigel

D Lynch said:

Thanks for your comments. The retailer (Henry's Mississauga) offered no help!

Click to expand...

I believe that Henry's Mississauga also sells used equipment.

They could have at least given your camera a good looking at.

Bad press like this surely won't do Henry's any good.

I'm surprised too because I thought they had a good reputation, guess not!

D Lynch said:

except an offer to send the camera back. The way the offer was presented and > the way comments were offered about no obligation on their part made me sad > I had spent money there.
DaveL

edit: I had no expectation of special treatment or replacement. It would have been sufficient to hear they had no knowledge of the problem and would find out.
The attendant didn't even know there was an internal battery.

I simply want a reliable camera like my G9 was.

D

Click to expand...

--
'I don't necessarily believe everything I say'!

Both -- appreciate your responses.

I'm still in shock over the Cdn prices. I feel abused and wonder how the sales person at henry's could keep a straight face.

Perhaps money isn't important to them. I have to work a while for mine!

DaveL

Hey Dave,

when and where did you buy your G11 and do you still have your receipt? I'll put a call into my contact at Henry's and see if what happens. No promises but hopefully if you did buy it there they should be able to do something.

Unless I missed something, I don't understand why they didn't take care of you. I've always have good experiences with them.

As for batteries, I bought a 2nd OEM from Henry's and bought a 3rd (what seems to be OEM) off eBay for $15.76Cdn shipped from seller dacheng2009. It looks just like the other 2 which I know are OEM and so far works like them too.

D Lynch said:

Both -- appreciate your responses.

I'm still in shock over the Cdn prices. I feel abused and wonder how the sales person at henry's could keep a straight face.

Perhaps money isn't important to them. I have to work a while for mine!

DaveL

Click to expand...

--
Nigel

Thanks I was a good mail order customer for years. F3HP+500 mirror lens--just one order. Pradovit (Leica) projector.
I'm very disappointed in Henry's Mississauga of late.

I find they don't listen; don't seem to have the time. One good purchase--a Domke bag recently. But that was 1 experience out of ten.

I expected to talk to someone with knowledge of cameras. I'm thinking that it's my work habits. With one battery I may take the battery out for charging, and not put it in until the next morning.
I never had a problem with my G9 but I had 2 batteries.
I was very angry when I left and told them I would solve the problem myself.

I'm shocked at the cost of a Canon battery in Canada. I went by Vistek after and was very well treated. Except their battery is $94 cdn plus tax.

I'm sure I have my receipt. However, the fellow I talked to looked the purchase up on the computer and confirmed the date in late November. They had a sale on (trade in a used G9 and I paid the difference. It was the last day for the sale.)

I've bought all of my digital cameras except DSLR's from Henry's. That's going back a bit.

My favourite store of all time ws Linden's Photo in London. Wonderful people with good product knowledge.

I shall take a look at Burlington Photo. They're further away, but I would rather reward good product knoledge and a strong service ethic.
Thanks for your offer.
DaveL
Toronto (Mississauga)