Err 20 Problem - Is There a Solution?

[K10shutterdog]

After almost a year of average use, my 7D developed the "Err 20" issue. The good news is that the problem is only a brief interruption and loss of the picture opportunity from which the error occured. I would get the error about 5% to 10% of the time. The first repair by Canon in New Jersey was amazingly fast - a day or so of repair/testing with next-day return delivery. They said they repaired the "button screw." Unfortunately, the problem returned after about 200 shots. Sent it in for repair a second time, this time to the Irvine, CA facility. They had the camera for almost two weeks and said they found a slight short in the power supply and corrected. This did not sound like a convincing solution to the problem given what I heard about shutter box replacement, but I remained hopeful. After about 200 shots, the Err 20 problem returned yet again.

It appears from my experience so far that Canon does not know what causes the error condition based on what they attempted as a fix for my camera these two times without success. I do not want to go through a third exploratory engagement on this. I feel they can send me a new camera and try on their own time to resolve what's behind the problem. It also looks possible that there may be mulitiple causes for "Err 20" given other people's comments and therefore, possible multiple fixes - am I the only "unfixable" situation so far? Anyone else with repeat "Err 20" failures after a Canon fix?

 

[paul johe]

Mine was fixed at Irvine after the ERR 20. Your story makes me worried all the time with the fear of that ERR 20 again during any jobs. I think too many mechanical movements (and moving parts) related to live view, sensor cleaning, video, etc. I try to limit all other unnecessry actions and use only shutter actuations.

 

[K10shutterdog]

Paul,

Thanks for the feedback. I spoke with Customer Relations management on the issue today. In the escalation of the response to the situation (Cust Care rep to sup to mgr), Canon was very polite and professional. The camera still needs to go back for a third evaluation for a determination of next steps - and the effort will be overseen by mgmt. Can't fault their customer committment. But my position remains is that there have been two separate items "fixed" by professional technicians that were apparently bad but still not related to the continuation of the Err 20 issue ...which results in the reasonable argument that camera replacement makes more sense at this point from a customer perspective.

One does have to wonder whether the shutter and related mechanisms are just getting too complex for dependability at the targeted price-point. My Pentax K20 "backup" camera - with painfully slow AF and slow burst rate that makes it outright useless in some situations where the 7D shines - at least will always take a picture when I press the shutter.

I took a few dozen shots today and had the Err 20 condition happen ten times. This iwas about a 25% failure rate. Previously the problem was happening at 5% to 10%. I have a photoshoot coming up just before I send the camera back. Will be an interresting shoot if I'm dealing with a 25% failure rate. May have to rent.

 

[paul johe]

You should videotape the problem occurring and with its video file, return the 7D again, and demand a loaner. They should have seen ERR 20 issues and respond more aggressively. Mention them you are posting and following up with DPReview and other forums. For your case, they should replace with a new one. However, Canon should figure out why there are many cases with ERR 20 issue. Probably they are looling at statistical importance before any recall.

 

[wcrosman]

Bought mine in May. Never have had an err 20 or any error for that matter. Feel bad for you.
--
T---
http://www.crosman.org
http://www.portfolio-shots.com

 

[K10shutterdog]

• Thanks. Hopefully yours will forever remain trouble-free (although at some point all shutter mechanisms do need replacement/repair - just like in keeping the brake system on your car 100% reliable). I'll need another Canon body at some point so my current 7D becomes a usable backup. And I would expect the successor to the 7D will certainly have things like Err 20 sorted out.

I don't know what the internal situation is at Canon for the Err 20 issue with respect to how big of an overall problem it is regarding cause, repair and prevention. But I'm holding them accountable this third time to a timely and proper resolution of the problem for my own camera. FYI: two days ago the Err 20 showed up about 25% of the time. Yesterday it was down to about 5%. With Err 20 I just never know when and how often since there are no obvious influential factors behind it. Not an acceptable way to shoot pictures obviously.

 

[Danny Williams]

Your situation calls for a new camera from Canon. No one should be expected to set back and torerate this kind of poor performance from a camera like the 7D. Canon needs to step up to the plate and do the right thing.

 

[K10shutterdog]

For the third return visit to Canon, the action taken this time was to replace the shutter box and related shutter motor. They were quick with the repair and return. Everything so far appears to be OK. Not sure why this wasn't the approach taken the first or second time. I have yet to run a few hundred shots through the camera, so, we'll see.

 

[K10shutterdog]

Looks like the shutterbox replacement for my Err20 issue on the 7D was the proper fix. Obviously have to be curious about what in the shutterbox caused the problem, and is the replacement prone to the same fate at some point of use in the normal lifespan of the mechanism??

 

[phxflyboy]

I anticipate purchasing a 7D sometime in the next couple months and am glad I stumbled across this thread. I am happy they fixed it for you, albeit with some delays, but it is good to keep this in the back of my mind in case I encounter a similar issue. Keep us updated as to the long-term reliability.

phxflyboy