Long story short, I got stuck in the rain with no cover for my gripped 7D and 600 f4 IS today. The 600 works fine, but the 7D is acting like the shutter button is halfway depressed so that the lens is constantly engaged--it constantly runs the IS and the camera constantly focuses the lens. It appears that the other functions of the camera are working as normal. The rear screen is functioning because the Sensor Cleaning icon displays when the camera is turned off, but I can not get any of the buttons to turn the screen on--the Play and Menu buttons do not bring anything up on the screen. I'm assuming that the Play and Menu buttons aren't displaying anything when depressed because the camera is in a constant state of "half focus", preventing those buttons from displaying anything.
I think that a trip to Canon is in order, but the camera is currently in a bag of rice. I'll try it again Friday and then will make a decision from there.
The rice trick is a good place to start. You may be sending your camera off to Canon Camp, but only time will tell if the repair bill will be worth it for what used 7D bodies are getting these days...
I was in a similar situation a few years ago with a 5D, when I got hit by a big T-storm in southern Utah. After a day or two of drying (the desert is usually good for this), it seemed to be OK. About six months later, it lost its mind (that was the formal diagnosis), and some internal boards had to be replaced - most likely due to corrosion. A trip to Canon is probably a good idea.
I'm leaving for vacation a week from Saturday. I must have a functioning birding camera by then! The 1Ds mark II I have is great for everything else I shoot, but I need to get another birding camera. That's 95% of what I shoot.
Hopefully it dries out just fine and works as it should. I may just buy a 7D now and sell it upon returning if my old one starts working again.
I'll be checking with insurance soon. I *thought* it was, but it turns out I don't think it is (long story). I'll be insuring everything I have in the next two days though. Luckily it's the 7D and not the 600!
I'll be checking with insurance soon. I *thought* it was, but it turns out I don't think it is (long story). I'll be insuring everything I have in the next two days though. Luckily it's the 7D and not the 600!
Well, the 600 has a LensCoat on it, plus its weather sealing is higher rated than that of the 7D. Additionally, when I was carrying the camera to the car in the rain, the lens was pointed down.
If you haven't already done so, take out the batteries -- including the little button cell -- and open all the port covers. Then take a hair dryer to it if you have one, or place it on a towel on a baking sheet or cutting board, and put it near a heat vent. You need to get warm, dry air flowing in and around the circuit boards as soon as possible.
Unlike salt water, rain is reasonably pure water (even in areas with acid rain, although not as pure as in Hawaii or the Pacific Northwest Rain Forest), and so is less corrosive. If you can get it dry quickly it may do you during your trip, and you can send it in for service when you get back.
BrianO wrote:
Unlike salt water, rain is reasonably pure water (even in areas with acid rain, although not as pure as in Hawaii or the Pacific Northwest Rain Forest), and so is less corrosive. If you can get it dry quickly it may do you during your trip, and you can send it in for service when you get back.
Good luck.
I guess you haven't been to Hawaii lately. The volcanic haze (VOG) is so thick I can barely see Diamond Head albeit only a couple miles away. It burns eyes, lungs and throats. And, yes, we have acid rain but it is the worse on Hawaii Island where Kilauea is currently oozing but, unfortunately, Oahu is often downwind...
Has the rice done any good. Not sure of your timing, but I would call canon,service to see even if they would fix it. Otherwise rent one or buy a new/used one. If you go the used route, you could always sell it after your trip.who knows, maybe by then your original 7d will be working.
Regarding the 600mm, I would treat it like it moisture in it(may have moisture and be working but the moisture may destroy IQ) and but it in another bag of rice. Better buy a 50 lb bag of rice
