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Serious 20d problem in Creative Zone Modes

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padhraig

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I have searched the internet and have found only one other account of someone suffering this evil problem. This man said that he too only found one other example of someone documenting this problem and said he found it here on the dpreview forums. I couldn't find it so I'll post all about it again...

I grew concerned about the functionality of my brand new Eos 20d last night. I had been happily shooting away in the Basic Zones with the included EFS 18-55mm lens. I had been avoiding the Creative Zones since I discovered that pressing the shoot button didn't work. I thought it was because some settings had to be configured or something before you could take photos in those fancy shmancy modes.

Anyway, as I said, it was last night when I first felt that something wasn't right. I thought it was time I got to know a little more about the camera and so I reached for the operating instructions and began to experiment. To make a long story short, I found out that the AF-WB, DRIVE-ISO, METERING-EXPO COMP buttons, and the , FOCUS POINT buttons, and the MENU, INFO, JUMP, PLAYBACK buttons don't work in the creative zone modes. Oh yeah, and the shoot button doesn't work.

After some further experimentation, I found out that pictures can be taken when the lens is set to MF (though the buttons listed above still don't work). The dials work in both AF and MF lens modes doing their default thing but nothing else.

When I read that Steve Thompson ( http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00AZ27 ) could access the menu, playback and really all the other functionality by removing the lens I tried that too, and sure enough it worked. Believe it or not though, taking pictures withoud a lens isn't very effective.

Today was the first time I accessed the advanced functions in the creative zone menu and so I can confirm that the camera came with Firmware ver. 1.0.5 installed. I ordered it new around the 15th of December so maybe it's only a new problem?

I updated to ver. 1.1.0 successfully but the problem remains.

Is it the lens? Is it the body? WTF is going on? I'm sorry I'm a pathetic newcomer to the world of DSLR's and I'm not worthy of the 20d (yet) but I think I have firmly established that something's wrong. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
 
The first thing you have to do is try it with another lens. That will tell you if the camera or the lens is bad. My guess is that the camera is bad. :(

Rich
padhraig said:
I have searched the internet and have found only one other account
of someone suffering this evil problem. This man said that he too
only found one other example of someone documenting this problem
and said he found it here on the dpreview forums. I couldn't find
it so I'll post all about it again...

I grew concerned about the functionality of my brand new Eos 20d
last night. I had been happily shooting away in the Basic Zones
with the included EFS 18-55mm lens. I had been avoiding the
Creative Zones since I discovered that pressing the shoot button
didn't work. I thought it was because some settings had to be
configured or something before you could take photos in those fancy
shmancy modes.

Anyway, as I said, it was last night when I first felt that
something wasn't right. I thought it was time I got to know a
little more about the camera and so I reached for the operating
instructions and began to experiment. To make a long story short,
I found out that the AF-WB, DRIVE-ISO, METERING-EXPO COMP buttons,
and the , FOCUS POINT buttons, and the MENU, INFO, JUMP, PLAYBACK
buttons don't work in the creative zone modes. Oh yeah, and the
shoot button doesn't work.

After some further experimentation, I found out that pictures can
be taken when the lens is set to MF (though the buttons listed
above still don't work). The dials work in both AF and MF lens
modes doing their default thing but nothing else.

When I read that Steve Thompson (
http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00AZ27 ) could
access the menu, playback and really all the other functionality by
removing the lens I tried that too, and sure enough it worked.
Believe it or not though, taking pictures withoud a lens isn't very
effective.

Today was the first time I accessed the advanced functions in the
creative zone menu and so I can confirm that the camera came with
Firmware ver. 1.0.5 installed. I ordered it new around the 15th of
December so maybe it's only a new problem?

I updated to ver. 1.1.0 successfully but the problem remains.

Is it the lens? Is it the body? WTF is going on? I'm sorry I'm a
pathetic newcomer to the world of DSLR's and I'm not worthy of the
20d (yet) but I think I have firmly established that something's
wrong. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...
 
Sorry, I can't answer your problem, but I would try another lens ASAP and see if that is the problem. Maybe trying cleaning the contacts also. If these don't solve your issue, return the camera or if it is too late for that send it to Canon for repair. Good Luck.
padhraig said:
I have searched the internet and have found only one other account
of someone suffering this evil problem. This man said that he too
only found one other example of someone documenting this problem
and said he found it here on the dpreview forums. I couldn't find
it so I'll post all about it again...

I grew concerned about the functionality of my brand new Eos 20d
last night. I had been happily shooting away in the Basic Zones
with the included EFS 18-55mm lens. I had been avoiding the
Creative Zones since I discovered that pressing the shoot button
didn't work. I thought it was because some settings had to be
configured or something before you could take photos in those fancy
shmancy modes.

Anyway, as I said, it was last night when I first felt that
something wasn't right. I thought it was time I got to know a
little more about the camera and so I reached for the operating
instructions and began to experiment. To make a long story short,
I found out that the AF-WB, DRIVE-ISO, METERING-EXPO COMP buttons,
and the , FOCUS POINT buttons, and the MENU, INFO, JUMP, PLAYBACK
buttons don't work in the creative zone modes. Oh yeah, and the
shoot button doesn't work.

After some further experimentation, I found out that pictures can
be taken when the lens is set to MF (though the buttons listed
above still don't work). The dials work in both AF and MF lens
modes doing their default thing but nothing else.

When I read that Steve Thompson (
http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00AZ27 ) could
access the menu, playback and really all the other functionality by
removing the lens I tried that too, and sure enough it worked.
Believe it or not though, taking pictures withoud a lens isn't very
effective.

Today was the first time I accessed the advanced functions in the
creative zone menu and so I can confirm that the camera came with
Firmware ver. 1.0.5 installed. I ordered it new around the 15th of
December so maybe it's only a new problem?

I updated to ver. 1.1.0 successfully but the problem remains.

Is it the lens? Is it the body? WTF is going on? I'm sorry I'm a
pathetic newcomer to the world of DSLR's and I'm not worthy of the
20d (yet) but I think I have firmly established that something's
wrong. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...
 
NNnnooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!

And I don't have another lens unfortunately. If I could do a test with a different lens it would narrow down the possibilities. But I can't, sniffle, so I'm leaving up to this wise and all-knowing community to sort it out, sob...
RichW said:
Rich
padhraig said:
I have searched the internet and have found only one other account
of someone suffering this evil problem. This man said that he too
only found one other example of someone documenting this problem
and said he found it here on the dpreview forums. I couldn't find
it so I'll post all about it again...

I grew concerned about the functionality of my brand new Eos 20d
last night. I had been happily shooting away in the Basic Zones
with the included EFS 18-55mm lens. I had been avoiding the
Creative Zones since I discovered that pressing the shoot button
didn't work. I thought it was because some settings had to be
configured or something before you could take photos in those fancy
shmancy modes.

Anyway, as I said, it was last night when I first felt that
something wasn't right. I thought it was time I got to know a
little more about the camera and so I reached for the operating
instructions and began to experiment. To make a long story short,
I found out that the AF-WB, DRIVE-ISO, METERING-EXPO COMP buttons,
and the , FOCUS POINT buttons, and the MENU, INFO, JUMP, PLAYBACK
buttons don't work in the creative zone modes. Oh yeah, and the
shoot button doesn't work.

After some further experimentation, I found out that pictures can
be taken when the lens is set to MF (though the buttons listed
above still don't work). The dials work in both AF and MF lens
modes doing their default thing but nothing else.

When I read that Steve Thompson (
http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00AZ27 ) could
access the menu, playback and really all the other functionality by
removing the lens I tried that too, and sure enough it worked.
Believe it or not though, taking pictures withoud a lens isn't very
effective.

Today was the first time I accessed the advanced functions in the
creative zone menu and so I can confirm that the camera came with
Firmware ver. 1.0.5 installed. I ordered it new around the 15th of
December so maybe it's only a new problem?

I updated to ver. 1.1.0 successfully but the problem remains.

Is it the lens? Is it the body? WTF is going on? I'm sorry I'm a
pathetic newcomer to the world of DSLR's and I'm not worthy of the
20d (yet) but I think I have firmly established that something's
wrong. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Soryy, but all of our crystal balls are broken. You need to try a known good lens on your camera, and your lens on a know good camera to get your answer. Your local dealer can provide those answers. You have to do that, or send it to Canon repair because one or the other is broken.
 
Just so I'm not wasting anybody's time, here's a few things I could have made clearer:
  • I can't test it with another lens because I don't have one.
  • The man I mentioned before who had the same problem said that changing the lens didn't help.
  • The camera works perfectly in automatic mode.
If I can think of anything else I'll post it as a reply to this message.
padhraig said:
I have searched the internet and have found only one other account
of someone suffering this evil problem. This man said that he too
only found one other example of someone documenting this problem
and said he found it here on the dpreview forums. I couldn't find
it so I'll post all about it again...

I grew concerned about the functionality of my brand new Eos 20d
last night. I had been happily shooting away in the Basic Zones
with the included EFS 18-55mm lens. I had been avoiding the
Creative Zones since I discovered that pressing the shoot button
didn't work. I thought it was because some settings had to be
configured or something before you could take photos in those fancy
shmancy modes.

Anyway, as I said, it was last night when I first felt that
something wasn't right. I thought it was time I got to know a
little more about the camera and so I reached for the operating
instructions and began to experiment. To make a long story short,
I found out that the AF-WB, DRIVE-ISO, METERING-EXPO COMP buttons,
and the , FOCUS POINT buttons, and the MENU, INFO, JUMP, PLAYBACK
buttons don't work in the creative zone modes. Oh yeah, and the
shoot button doesn't work.

After some further experimentation, I found out that pictures can
be taken when the lens is set to MF (though the buttons listed
above still don't work). The dials work in both AF and MF lens
modes doing their default thing but nothing else.

When I read that Steve Thompson (
http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00AZ27 ) could
access the menu, playback and really all the other functionality by
removing the lens I tried that too, and sure enough it worked.
Believe it or not though, taking pictures withoud a lens isn't very
effective.

Today was the first time I accessed the advanced functions in the
creative zone menu and so I can confirm that the camera came with
Firmware ver. 1.0.5 installed. I ordered it new around the 15th of
December so maybe it's only a new problem?

I updated to ver. 1.1.0 successfully but the problem remains.

Is it the lens? Is it the body? WTF is going on? I'm sorry I'm a
pathetic newcomer to the world of DSLR's and I'm not worthy of the
20d (yet) but I think I have firmly established that something's
wrong. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...
 
Try going to a local dealer and test with another lens in the shop. Even if you are just looking at another lens, you should quickly be able to tell if the issue is resolved. If you can't try it with another lens, you are only left to send the camera and lens in for repair unless you can narrow it down to which is defective.
padhraig said:
  • I can't test it with another lens because I don't have one.
  • The man I mentioned before who had the same problem said that
changing the lens didn't help.
  • The camera works perfectly in automatic mode.
If I can think of anything else I'll post it as a reply to this
message.
padhraig said:
I have searched the internet and have found only one other account
of someone suffering this evil problem. This man said that he too
only found one other example of someone documenting this problem
and said he found it here on the dpreview forums. I couldn't find
it so I'll post all about it again...

I grew concerned about the functionality of my brand new Eos 20d
last night. I had been happily shooting away in the Basic Zones
with the included EFS 18-55mm lens. I had been avoiding the
Creative Zones since I discovered that pressing the shoot button
didn't work. I thought it was because some settings had to be
configured or something before you could take photos in those fancy
shmancy modes.

Anyway, as I said, it was last night when I first felt that
something wasn't right. I thought it was time I got to know a
little more about the camera and so I reached for the operating
instructions and began to experiment. To make a long story short,
I found out that the AF-WB, DRIVE-ISO, METERING-EXPO COMP buttons,
and the , FOCUS POINT buttons, and the MENU, INFO, JUMP, PLAYBACK
buttons don't work in the creative zone modes. Oh yeah, and the
shoot button doesn't work.

After some further experimentation, I found out that pictures can
be taken when the lens is set to MF (though the buttons listed
above still don't work). The dials work in both AF and MF lens
modes doing their default thing but nothing else.

When I read that Steve Thompson (
http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00AZ27 ) could
access the menu, playback and really all the other functionality by
removing the lens I tried that too, and sure enough it worked.
Believe it or not though, taking pictures withoud a lens isn't very
effective.

Today was the first time I accessed the advanced functions in the
creative zone menu and so I can confirm that the camera came with
Firmware ver. 1.0.5 installed. I ordered it new around the 15th of
December so maybe it's only a new problem?

I updated to ver. 1.1.0 successfully but the problem remains.

Is it the lens? Is it the body? WTF is going on? I'm sorry I'm a
pathetic newcomer to the world of DSLR's and I'm not worthy of the
20d (yet) but I think I have firmly established that something's
wrong. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Hi Padhraig,

I think the best thing you can do is bring it into Conn's Cameras (you're in Dublin, aren't you?). I imagine they'll let you try out a lens so that you can narrow the possibilities.

Does Ireland have a Canon repair service?
Did you buy it from Europe?

Good luck,

Daniel
 
1.) In the menu, use the function to reset everything to factory defaults

2.) Open the battery compartment, and remove both batteries - the BP-511A and also the small Lithium buffer battery.
3.) Leave the camera without the batteries over night.
4.) Insert the batteries.

5.) If the controls still do not work in the creative zone, send the camera back to your dealer or to canon for repair.

Bye,

Detlev
 
Thanks Detlev,

I'll give it a try.
Detlev Rackow said:
1.) In the menu, use the function to reset everything to factory
defaults
2.) Open the battery compartment, and remove both batteries - the
BP-511A and also the small Lithium buffer battery.
3.) Leave the camera without the batteries over night.
4.) Insert the batteries.
5.) If the controls still do not work in the creative zone, send
the camera back to your dealer or to canon for repair.

Bye,

Detlev
Click to expand...
 
  • The Depth of Field Preview button below the shutter release button is unpressable. Whether the lens (EFS 18-55) is attached or not, in AF or MF, the button cannot be pressed.
padhraig said:
  • I can't test it with another lens because I don't have one.
  • The man I mentioned before who had the same problem said that
changing the lens didn't help.
  • The camera works perfectly in automatic mode.
If I can think of anything else I'll post it as a reply to this
message.
padhraig said:
I have searched the internet and have found only one other account
of someone suffering this evil problem. This man said that he too
only found one other example of someone documenting this problem
and said he found it here on the dpreview forums. I couldn't find
it so I'll post all about it again...

I grew concerned about the functionality of my brand new Eos 20d
last night. I had been happily shooting away in the Basic Zones
with the included EFS 18-55mm lens. I had been avoiding the
Creative Zones since I discovered that pressing the shoot button
didn't work. I thought it was because some settings had to be
configured or something before you could take photos in those fancy
shmancy modes.

Anyway, as I said, it was last night when I first felt that
something wasn't right. I thought it was time I got to know a
little more about the camera and so I reached for the operating
instructions and began to experiment. To make a long story short,
I found out that the AF-WB, DRIVE-ISO, METERING-EXPO COMP buttons,
and the , FOCUS POINT buttons, and the MENU, INFO, JUMP, PLAYBACK
buttons don't work in the creative zone modes. Oh yeah, and the
shoot button doesn't work.

After some further experimentation, I found out that pictures can
be taken when the lens is set to MF (though the buttons listed
above still don't work). The dials work in both AF and MF lens
modes doing their default thing but nothing else.

When I read that Steve Thompson (
http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00AZ27 ) could
access the menu, playback and really all the other functionality by
removing the lens I tried that too, and sure enough it worked.
Believe it or not though, taking pictures withoud a lens isn't very
effective.

Today was the first time I accessed the advanced functions in the
creative zone menu and so I can confirm that the camera came with
Firmware ver. 1.0.5 installed. I ordered it new around the 15th of
December so maybe it's only a new problem?

I updated to ver. 1.1.0 successfully but the problem remains.

Is it the lens? Is it the body? WTF is going on? I'm sorry I'm a
pathetic newcomer to the world of DSLR's and I'm not worthy of the
20d (yet) but I think I have firmly established that something's
wrong. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
padhraig wrote:
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

---

have you tried to reset all settings?
 
padhraig said:
  • The Depth of Field Preview button below the shutter release
button is unpressable. Whether the lens (EFS 18-55) is attached or
not, in AF or MF, the button cannot be pressed.
Click to expand...
OK, that explains it. The button is stuck. I tried this on my own 20D and it works exactly like yours if I keep pressing that button. The button is ignored in the basic modes and it doesn't matter if it is pressed all the time. That explains why basic modes work for you. But the camera doesn't expect that button to be pressed when you press the shutter release button. Try if you can get that button to work or have the camera body repaired. The lens is OK.

Mikke
 
Was your camera set to "ON" or to the line above the ON button? I recall that when I first got my new 20D I had problems when I tried using various controls with the camera set to "ON" and the selector set to one of the creative zone settings. A long search through the manual informed me that I needed to use the line above the "ON" button to get full fuctionality in the creative zones. I don't know if that is your problem and the solution to it but it is worth a try.

In short, set the "ON/OFF" switch to the top line (above the "ON") and see if you still have the problem.
 
Thanks frankus but I had already tried this. Didn't work though.
frankus said:
Was your camera set to "ON" or to the line above the ON button? I
recall that when I first got my new 20D I had problems when I tried
using various controls with the camera set to "ON" and the selector
set to one of the creative zone settings. A long search through
the manual informed me that I needed to use the line above the "ON"
button to get full fuctionality in the creative zones. I don't
know if that is your problem and the solution to it but it is worth
a try.

In short, set the "ON/OFF" switch to the top line (above the "ON")
and see if you still have the problem.
Click to expand...
 
Thanks Mikke, I hope you are right. I doubt I will be able to get it unstuck myself as it's really unpressable. It doesn't give even slightly.

I'll post a little message highlighting the importance of this "little" discovery.

Thanks for messing around with your camera to see if it was the button ;)
Mikke said:
padhraig said:
  • The Depth of Field Preview button below the shutter release
button is unpressable. Whether the lens (EFS 18-55) is attached or
not, in AF or MF, the button cannot be pressed.
Click to expand...
OK, that explains it. The button is stuck. I tried this on my own
20D and it works exactly like yours if I keep pressing that button.
The button is ignored in the basic modes and it doesn't matter if
it is pressed all the time. That explains why basic modes work for
you. But the camera doesn't expect that button to be pressed when
you press the shutter release button. Try if you can get that
button to work or have the camera body repaired. The lens is OK.

Mikke
Click to expand...
 
Hey all,

I'd still like to hear any thoughts you have on the subject. If anybody knows more about the dof preview button that would be a great help.

Sorry for bumping the thread but, because I'm greedy and my beloved 20d is half broken, I thought it was too young to die.
 
4 days ago and still not working- send it in for service or test it with another lens at a local shop.
padhraig said:
Hey all,

I'd still like to hear any thoughts you have on the subject. If
anybody knows more about the dof preview button that would be a
great help.

Sorry for bumping the thread but, because I'm greedy and my beloved
20d is half broken, I thought it was too young to die.
Click to expand...
 
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