G12 screen turns off (blacks out) when flipped into normal position for shooting.

I had a similar issue with a Canon A650. The image on the LCD would persistently be upside down, or blacked out.

Because it was a spare camera I had no qualms about separating the LCD from the camera unit and fiddling with it. The LCD was retained with two tiny cross-head screws. I cannot remember how I did it – but I (eventually) got it to work properly.

You have to weigh up the personal value to you with the risks involved against the cost of a professional repair. For me, it could have gone horribly pear-shaped!!

Try the "Reset" from the main menu.

CarlosLM wrote:

...

If I rotate the screen as for taking a self portrait it still works well, except the image is upside down.

Now, when I close the screen with the LCD away from the camera body for normal use the screen goes dark. This happens right before I close the screen, at the point where the

Additional information:

- If I try to shoot video while the screen is black, it won't let me record and the camera will keep beeping as long as I keep half pressed the shutter button.

Looks like the "sensor" for screen rotation is damaged (as indicated by the upside down image when screen faces forward. But any suggestions, ideas, etc are welcome.

Thanks.

Well. It really helps to try to explains one's problems. I came to the conclusion on screen rotation while writing the original post. The problem was indeed that sensor, so when closing the screen with LCD away from body the camera, it was detecting the screen was getting closed with the lcd towards the body camera, thus shutting it down. That was algo the reason for the beeps while trying to shoot video (you're not allowed to shoot video using only the viewfinder).

So I opened the hinge enclosure (two small screews only), played with the electronics and it is working now (that was mere luck!!!). Maybe there was a loose wire or contact, so if it fails again I'll give it a better look with the microscope at work...

thanks for replying.

MisterPootieCat wrote:

Welcome to one of the pitfalls of articulated LCD's.

First posting I’ve seen with regards an LCD failure of this nature!

For me, the advantages of the articulated LCD far outweigh such disadvantages and I would never consider another camera without one. (Just my personal view)

Thanks.. $160 is too expensive. Now, if that happens I think I would fix it myself. Besides the hinge, I also disassembled the screen and the electronics at both parts are small, yet simple.

Had the same problem with my G12. I opened up the LCD display unit to check the wires, but they seemed to be fine. Then I removed the two screws of the LCD hinge cover to see how the articulated LCD unit switch or sensor works. They seem to look like cam actuated switches (but too tiny to figure out how they work). I then used a small toothpick and applied a tiny bit of grease (non conductive if possible) on the actuator portion, making sure nothing goes to the electronic. Then exercise display unit, a couple of times. Those tiny switches seem to freeze up as they age. It fixed my G!2. Good luck!

remtech wrote:

Had the same problem with my G12. I opened up the LCD display unit to check the wires, but they seemed to be fine. Then I removed the two screws of the LCD hinge cover to see how the articulated LCD unit switch or sensor works. They seem to look like cam actuated switches (but too tiny to figure out how they work). I then used a small toothpick and applied a tiny bit of grease (non conductive if possible) on the actuator portion, making sure nothing goes to the electronic. Then exercise display unit, a couple of times. Those tiny switches seem to freeze up as they age. It fixed my G!2. Good luck!

Hi, I have the same problem, can you please tell me which is the actuator portion, I am trying to figure it out but I cannot understand which is that piece you're talking about. A picture can be helpful.
Thanks in advance!

Fara1 wrote:

remtech wrote:

Had the same problem with my G12. I opened up the LCD display unit to check the wires, but they seemed to be fine. Then I removed the two screws of the LCD hinge cover to see how the articulated LCD unit switch or sensor works. They seem to look like cam actuated switches (but too tiny to figure out how they work). I then used a small toothpick and applied a tiny bit of grease (non conductive if possible) on the actuator portion, making sure nothing goes to the electronic. Then exercise display unit, a couple of times. Those tiny switches seem to freeze up as they age. It fixed my G!2. Good luck!

Hi, I have the same problem, can you please tell me which is the actuator portion, I am trying to figure it out but I cannot understand which is that piece you're talking about. A picture can be helpful.
Thanks in advance!

Looking for pics or guidance on the same thing / where to apply?

Would grease be the same as camera gear oil? Or is electronic grease (dielectric grease?) best?

In my case the screen sometimes works perfect, other times blacks on and off when in body shooting mode or flips up and down when in front facing mode.

EDIT: Well I took off the hinge cover and put small amounts of the electronic safe grease basically on every point it turns/spins or moves. Let's see if that helps anything!