I bought my R7 back in May of 2022 and it hasn't failed me yet. I live in the Phoenix area and spend 4-5 hours in the desert every other weekend, taking shots of whatever wildlife I can find around the lower Salt River. All my equipment gets dusty from the dry desert dirt after my outings and the R7 probably gets the most because it's hanging from a strap, ready for action, but it has always powered on, switched modes and performed flawlessly. (The latest rumors of the R7 mark II have me stoked!)
Greetings, I'm glad you have the camera back. Thank you for your content and videos. a question? Did you notice any change after the fix in the number of shots or it continues to dial the same. thank you
I used to be a senior DSLR technician and group leader at Canon’s Va. repair and refurbishing center. When we got cameras in for refurbishment that had any signs of water or sand damage, we immediately scrapped them. The reason is the very problem you encountered. It may work now, but the effects of corrosion and/or sand will eventually cause the camera to fail. Even if you clean and/or replace any parts that show damage, it is very likely that it’ll still show up at a later date. Therefore, their policy was to scrap them instead of selling a refurbished camera that could likely fail. For end-user cameras, like yours, we voided any remaining warranty and gave the customer the option of whether or not they wanted it repaired at their expense, with no guarantees or warranties that it wouldn’t fail again. As you surmised, it is quite likely that while they had the camera open they cleaned what they could, without replacing any parts, before they sent it back. This was common practice when I worked there. That may be why your R7 is working now, but it may very well fail again.
You said everything perfectly. It’s a tool to do what you do best. Take amazing photos. When I saw your video about your R7 I figured it was a usage issue. You use your camera. I assume while they had your camera possibly a loose connection they inadvertently fixed to your benefit. I love my R7 and use it way more than my full frame R5 & R6. Keep us posted.
I like that you explain what happens to your cameras especially the R7. I have one and recently took it out while it was snowing to photograph Northern Shovelers. The photos are pretty magical.
Thanks for sharing this experience. I just got similar complete shut down experiences with a R5m2 that has never been in the rain or abuse. Tried all the usual tricks you mentioned, turn on and off the camera, remove the battery pack etc etc etc. the camera would not turn back on. I suspect the camera is "technically" still "on" as after refusing to any of the "tricks", I can hear the curtain coming down (as when you shut down the camera) and only then can I get the camera to power back on. When I initially contacted CPS (canada) they suggested a firmware update. Like you I do not not do them unless they adress an issue that I have. However, I did what I was told to do. Not only the firmware update did not solve the issue but I got a few "communication error" which I never had before the firmware update. I over the last 2-3 weeks encountered the power complete shut down in every shooting session I had. I always seem to be able to get the r5m2 running again but It is extremely frustrating. I have been shooting Canon for multiple years starting with a 20D years ago, then 5dm3, 7d, 7dm2, 1dx, 1dx m2, R5 and R5 m2. I have been shooting in very challenging weather conditions and never encountered this type of issue. The camera is now with CPS Canada and I sure hope they will be able to solve the issue. I have not seen other users of the R5m2 reporting this type of issue but I doubt that this is an "operator error" as CPS sometimes seem to suggest when the issue is very obscure and unusual.
Thats odd. I would suspect it was the sensor switch between EVF and LCD or just the board connections. Hopefully they fix the issue. Probably just a bad off the line camera. happens and sucks when it does.
My R5 fell into the surf the first week I had it in April 2021. I ran to a store, bought a couple of containers and 10 pounds of rice, and set the camera and lens in rice baths for three days. The lens couldn't be saved; Canon replaced it under their drop/spill coverage. But the R5 worked fine after the rice bath and continued to do so for three years until I just sold it. Next time your camera gets wet, immerse it in rice to draw out moisture. Air drying probably allowed time for corrosion to set in.
We're fortunate that here in New Zealand Canon has a 5 year warranty but also that our consumer protection laws are extremely strong and can even extend warranty claims past any period a manufacturer states. Your video may help others in their battles with Canon over issues with the R7.
On the R7 Firmware - I noticed some issues with 1.4 and 1.5 where the Auto Focus didn't seem to be as good and as sticky for BIFs, and the IQ didn't seem as good, but then maybe it was just me... However 1.6 seems to have improved it.
Hi Scott. One other thing I have is I have the SmallRig cages on all my R series cameras. The cage definitely saved my R6 during a fall in which the cage was deeply scratched on the one corner. Absolutely saved the body. I saw you had the SmallRig cage on your R7. Why not now? I know they don’t save the bodies from water damage but definitely from falls and scratching. Now I just want a larger body R7 with a pro series upgrade to it. Canon needs a pro series crop body. Love your videos.
I noticed good improvements with autofocus after firmware 1.5, the camera began to work much faster. There were no problems, but once the camera froze, the buttons did not work, I had to take out the battery to get it working again.
My R7 has been returned after a new main pcb replacement after 2 years of amateur use. Photography only, no video use. We'll see how it goes. Best of luck with it, great content once again. 👍
Thanks for the video. I suspect that the disassembly and subsequent assembly have cleaned corroded contacts, for example on flex cables. I suspect the "repair" might not be permanent.
My R7 developed "double vision" over the summer, with duplication of horizontal lines, reflected eyebeams, etc. Based on their computer diagnostics, Canon Canada identified a failed image stabilizer chip, which required a new motherboard for $650. This was disappointing after only 18 months, just out of warranty. Unfortunately, the problem recurred after the R7 and RF100-500 were returned, and confirmed on calibrated lens test grids. So I sent it back to Canon Canada, who performed an RF 100-500 "11 point tune-up, cleaning, and firmware upgrade", after which things worked fine. I can only assume there was a problem with the lens image stabilizer, too, though the combination seems awfully coincidental.
When they brings out the R7 MK2, they should improve the build quality and the weather ceiling, it’s not built to the same build quality standards as the Canon 7D II.
Iv not any issues with Canon firmware over the years but my R7 has locked up on me once. Strange yours had such a weird life journey but fingers crossed we get the R6iii and R7ii soon
I did get the 18-50mm lens, and I really like it! I’ve never been able to afford a 28-70 ish lens before in f/ 2.8. It’s a great all around lens, and gets used some with just about every shoot. Just used it about a month ago to shoot engagement photos. The couple liked the outcome!! 🙂 Now if only Sigma could bring out a 150-600, or APS-C equivalent!!
Agree, the price they wanted to do their fix isn't worth it. Rather save my money and look at future bodies like the R7 MkII if they release one. The only real problem I've had with mine so far is it does not play well with Sony Tough M SDXC V60 cards. I get intermittent freezing when trying to read back images. Switched over to SanDisk SDXC V90 and the problem has not reappeared. Thanks for your update!
Thanks for this update Scott ! Perhaps your R7 was simply eager to see some warmer climate for a change 😛 After the overheating of the original R5, Ordinary filmmaker recently posted about someone's R5ii faking the batteries are empty when it's too cold .. Anyways, it's good you got a "free repair" from Canon 🙈
@@WILDALASKA Yeah, you're by far the 'coolest' shooter I know ;-) And the story seemed a bit strange indeed. On the other hand, Friday was my first day shooting the R5ii, starting off in style with 3600+ images from a kingfisher hide. But the camera did freeze twice in a strange way: I took my eyes off the EVF to take short break, so it switched to LCD (which I had set to low brightness). When wanting to resume shooting, the EVF didn't take over, the buttons didn't do anything but the horizon indicator on the LCD was still functioning, even after switching off the camera! The classic solution of taking out the battery for a second cured the issue, so it wasn't a big deal and it's a typical thing to be fixed in a firmware update.
My R7 is doing fine 🤞 but seeing the places you take photos I think it's about time we got a pro level apsc R7II or whatever they wanna call it. All my old Canon cameras never had an issue going back to my start of journey with Canon the 350D from around 2005. Although I'm looking at Nikon recently. In case Canon is reading I just want a stacked sensor Canon APSC/APSH no mech shutter. I'm getting Nikon getting Z8/ 180-600mm soon. R5II too expensive in UK and I like the new Nikon birder lenses. Time for Canon to do PF lenses known as Canon DO.
Good to hear n your R7. I just use mine pretty hard. Hopefully Canon does something soon on the pro level wildlife lenses. Getting a little flustered myself.
Electronic problems are a real pain in the butt for sure. I haven't had any of those type of problems with any of my Canon cameras. Now with my pickup, the dash lights won't come on when the temps are around -24 below zero. After the cab warms up in about ten minutes they come on and work fine. Real bummer at night. Hope your R7 continues to work.
It would be interesting to know the protocol for disassembly and reassembly. As somebody mentioned, I am sure they clean contacts, at least the ones they disconnect when they take it apart. So maybe it was corrosion from the water in the past. Old film cameras that used mercury batteries are now showing corrosion from the outgassing that went on back in the day. An interesting side note; when a Rolex watch is sent in for repair they replace the original dome, bevel, and stem and that lowers their value.
My R7 had the sensor replaced, the shutter replaced and the top plate replaced, the problems were from day one and took three returns over a few years to finally get it working correctly. All work was done under warranty and l would get the camera back within a fortnight which is good service but repairs probably cost twice the new camera price. Now my R5ii has issues from day one l am getting a bit annoyed at these constant little issues but the aftermarket service from Nikon and Sony have been horrendous in my experience so l will persist.
I had a similar case with a Fujifilm camera. Самеra was injured by the water, the joystick stopped working. I handed it over to an official service center, a few days later they called and said that the camera was flooded with water, and repairs would be paid for. They asked if I wanted to repair it? I said no, but after I picked it up, it was fine. Most likely they repaired it before they called me and asked if I would fix it? They probably thought that I would agree. Perhaps in your case there was something similar, especially since you have already agreed to a paid repair, albeit for a smaller amount.
They had to find the Fix to give the estimate, maybe it was just something small like a blown resistor ???? and they had to take care of that for the final estimate, and since you declined and the work was already done it was sent back, they won't put a broken part back in the camera unless it was something like a new board to new ribbon cable or chip. I do electronics repairs and to give you a diagnosis again they had to be able to know the fix I'd say you got very lucky and it was just something small like a 35 cent resistor or capacitor.. Run it until it dies again!!!
For 1500 USD, remember that. corners have to cut and weather sealing is one of those. It has held up well for the trauma I put it through here in Alaska though.
The only thing on the R7's which seem to cosistently fail, is the Mechanical Shutter,. and that thing is so loud and slappy, and causes such terrible shutter shock, I never use MS anymore anyway. I use to use EFCS about 5% of the time, but to preserve the life of my cameras, I quit using that too. I did start getting "Error 30" (mechanical shutter malfuntion) when I turned it on sometimes, and I'd have to turn it back off, and back on a time or two to get it to fully power up. Well, I was using the feature to "Close Shutter at Shutdown", so my theory was, that my shutter was starting to get sticky. Turned that feature off, and never had another "Error 30" message. So now, I just don't use my MS at all, for anything, ever.
Interesting. I do shoot 100% full ECS myself and I never get any errors. Just the 2 instances I stated is the only issues I have ever had with the camera. And right now its working flawlessly.
![Overrated: Camera features that don't matter [ft Gerald Undone]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/SlLbkeNH9to/mqdefault.jpg)
I bought my R7 back in May of 2022 and it hasn't failed me yet. I live in the Phoenix area and spend 4-5 hours in the desert every other weekend, taking shots of whatever wildlife I can find around the lower Salt River. All my equipment gets dusty from the dry desert dirt after my outings and the R7 probably gets the most because it's hanging from a strap, ready for action, but it has always powered on, switched modes and performed flawlessly. (The latest rumors of the R7 mark II have me stoked!)
Good info. beware of the rumor mill also
Gotta love the Salt River horses 😉
Greetings, I'm glad you have the camera back. Thank you for your content and videos. a question? Did you notice any change after the fix in the number of shots or it continues to dial the same. thank you
Acts same as it ever did. Nothing out of the ordinary
I used to be a senior DSLR technician and group leader at Canon’s Va. repair and refurbishing center. When we got cameras in for refurbishment that had any signs of water or sand damage, we immediately scrapped them. The reason is the very problem you encountered. It may work now, but the effects of corrosion and/or sand will eventually cause the camera to fail. Even if you clean and/or replace any parts that show damage, it is very likely that it’ll still show up at a later date. Therefore, their policy was to scrap them instead of selling a refurbished camera that could likely fail. For end-user cameras, like yours, we voided any remaining warranty and gave the customer the option of whether or not they wanted it repaired at their expense, with no guarantees or warranties that it wouldn’t fail again. As you surmised, it is quite likely that while they had the camera open they cleaned what they could, without replacing any parts, before they sent it back. This was common practice when I worked there. That may be why your R7 is working now, but it may very well fail again.
Interesting! I appreciate the insights, thanks for sharing.
You said everything perfectly. It’s a tool to do what you do best. Take amazing photos. When I saw your video about your R7 I figured it was a usage issue. You use your camera. I assume while they had your camera possibly a loose connection they inadvertently fixed to your benefit. I love my R7 and use it way more than my full frame R5 & R6. Keep us posted.
👍
I like that you explain what happens to your cameras especially the R7. I have one and recently took it out while it was snowing to photograph Northern Shovelers. The photos are pretty magical.
👍
Thanks for sharing this experience. I just got similar complete shut down experiences with a R5m2 that has never been in the rain or abuse. Tried all the usual tricks you mentioned, turn on and off the camera, remove the battery pack etc etc etc. the camera would not turn back on. I suspect the camera is "technically" still "on" as after refusing to any of the "tricks", I can hear the curtain coming down (as when you shut down the camera) and only then can I get the camera to power back on. When I initially contacted CPS (canada) they suggested a firmware update. Like you I do not not do them unless they adress an issue that I have. However, I did what I was told to do. Not only the firmware update did not solve the issue but I got a few "communication error" which I never had before the firmware update. I over the last 2-3 weeks encountered the power complete shut down in every shooting session I had. I always seem to be able to get the r5m2 running again but It is extremely frustrating. I have been shooting Canon for multiple years starting with a 20D years ago, then 5dm3, 7d, 7dm2, 1dx, 1dx m2, R5 and R5 m2. I have been shooting in very challenging weather conditions and never encountered this type of issue. The camera is now with CPS Canada and I sure hope they will be able to solve the issue. I have not seen other users of the R5m2 reporting this type of issue but I doubt that this is an "operator error" as CPS sometimes seem to suggest when the issue is very obscure and unusual.
Thats odd. I would suspect it was the sensor switch between EVF and LCD or just the board connections. Hopefully they fix the issue. Probably just a bad off the line camera. happens and sucks when it does.
My R5 fell into the surf the first week I had it in April 2021. I ran to a store, bought a couple of containers and 10 pounds of rice, and set the camera and lens in rice baths for three days. The lens couldn't be saved; Canon replaced it under their drop/spill coverage. But the R5 worked fine after the rice bath and continued to do so for three years until I just sold it. Next time your camera gets wet, immerse it in rice to draw out moisture. Air drying probably allowed time for corrosion to set in.
We put it in an airtight container with dry packs for about a week.
We're fortunate that here in New Zealand Canon has a 5 year warranty but also that our consumer protection laws are extremely strong and can even extend warranty claims past any period a manufacturer states. Your video may help others in their battles with Canon over issues with the R7.
I don't see Canon at fault with anything on my camera. It was just what it was really.
On the R7 Firmware - I noticed some issues with 1.4 and 1.5 where the Auto Focus didn't seem to be as good and as sticky for BIFs, and the IQ didn't seem as good, but then maybe it was just me... However 1.6 seems to have improved it.
Good info
I haven't had any issues with my R7, and I hope that continues. I'm glad to see you're wearing a hat and gloves.
👍☃️
Hi Scott. One other thing I have is I have the SmallRig cages on all my R series cameras. The cage definitely saved my R6 during a fall in which the cage was deeply scratched on the one corner. Absolutely saved the body. I saw you had the SmallRig cage on your R7. Why not now? I know they don’t save the bodies from water damage but definitely from falls and scratching. Now I just want a larger body R7 with a pro series upgrade to it. Canon needs a pro series crop body. Love your videos.
👍
I noticed good improvements with autofocus after firmware 1.5, the camera began to work much faster. There were no problems, but once the camera froze, the buttons did not work, I had to take out the battery to get it working again.
Thansk for the info on 1.5
My R7 has been returned after a new main pcb replacement after 2 years of amateur use. Photography only, no video use. We'll see how it goes. Best of luck with it, great content once again. 👍
Fingers crossed!
Thanks for the video. I suspect that the disassembly and subsequent assembly have cleaned corroded contacts, for example on flex cables. I suspect the "repair" might not be permanent.
Ya, I that is my thoughts also.
My R7 developed "double vision" over the summer, with duplication of horizontal lines, reflected eyebeams, etc. Based on their computer diagnostics, Canon Canada identified a failed image stabilizer chip, which required a new motherboard for $650. This was disappointing after only 18 months, just out of warranty. Unfortunately, the problem recurred after the R7 and RF100-500 were returned, and confirmed on calibrated lens test grids. So I sent it back to Canon Canada, who performed an RF 100-500 "11 point tune-up, cleaning, and firmware upgrade", after which things worked fine. I can only assume there was a problem with the lens image stabilizer, too, though the combination seems awfully coincidental.
Thanks for the info
When they brings out the R7 MK2, they should improve the build quality and the weather ceiling, it’s not built to the same build quality standards as the Canon 7D II.
It's pretty close really. Ive used both.
Iv not any issues with Canon firmware over the years but my R7 has locked up on me once. Strange yours had such a weird life journey but fingers crossed we get the R6iii and R7ii soon
Yeah I am just lucky I guess 🤪 Its a good camera I just use mine hard.
The best tool for Alaska Desert and hard places i think its only Pentax a camera that never dies...😃
🤣
Thank you for the update.
Will you be getting any of the new Sigma RF lenses for use on the R7?
I am not sure if I will buy any, but I will test any that are int he wildlife spectrum.
I did get the 18-50mm lens, and I really like it! I’ve never been able to afford a 28-70 ish lens before in f/ 2.8. It’s a great all around lens, and gets used some with just about every shoot. Just used it about a month ago to shoot engagement photos. The couple liked the outcome!! 🙂
Now if only Sigma could bring out a 150-600, or APS-C equivalent!!
Silica gel makes miracles 😆
🤷♂️
Agree, the price they wanted to do their fix isn't worth it. Rather save my money and look at future bodies like the R7 MkII if they release one. The only real problem I've had with mine so far is it does not play well with Sony Tough M SDXC V60 cards. I get intermittent freezing when trying to read back images. Switched over to SanDisk SDXC V90 and the problem has not reappeared. Thanks for your update!
Thanks front he info on the card
Thanks for this update Scott ! Perhaps your R7 was simply eager to see some warmer climate for a change 😛
After the overheating of the original R5, Ordinary filmmaker recently posted about someone's R5ii faking the batteries are empty when it's too cold ..
Anyways, it's good you got a "free repair" from Canon 🙈
Not too sure about that guy myself. There is no issue on the R5ii in the cold, I can definitely attest to that.
@@WILDALASKA Yeah, you're by far the 'coolest' shooter I know ;-) And the story seemed a bit strange indeed.
On the other hand, Friday was my first day shooting the R5ii, starting off in style with 3600+ images from a kingfisher hide. But the camera did freeze twice in a strange way: I took my eyes off the EVF to take short break, so it switched to LCD (which I had set to low brightness). When wanting to resume shooting, the EVF didn't take over, the buttons didn't do anything but the horizon indicator on the LCD was still functioning, even after switching off the camera!
The classic solution of taking out the battery for a second cured the issue, so it wasn't a big deal and it's a typical thing to be fixed in a firmware update.
Well it looks like it’s time for an R7 MkII eh Scott? I hear it’s coming with a stacked sensor so no more rolling shutter 🤷♀
🤣Not a chance of a stacked sensor. Not at the rice point the camera will be, but I could be wrong.
My R7 is doing fine 🤞 but seeing the places you take photos I think it's about time we got a pro level apsc R7II or whatever they wanna call it. All my old Canon cameras never had an issue going back to my start of journey with Canon the 350D from around 2005. Although I'm looking at Nikon recently. In case Canon is reading I just want a stacked sensor Canon APSC/APSH no mech shutter. I'm getting Nikon getting Z8/ 180-600mm soon. R5II too expensive in UK and I like the new Nikon birder lenses. Time for Canon to do PF lenses known as Canon DO.
Good to hear n your R7. I just use mine pretty hard. Hopefully Canon does something soon on the pro level wildlife lenses. Getting a little flustered myself.
Electronic problems are a real pain in the butt for sure. I haven't had any of those type of problems with any of my Canon cameras. Now with my pickup, the dash lights won't come on when the temps are around -24 below zero. After the cab warms up in about ten minutes they come on and work fine. Real bummer at night. Hope your R7 continues to work.
The R7 is so far my only camera that has had real problems, but she's working fine again.
It would be interesting to know the protocol for disassembly and reassembly. As somebody mentioned, I am sure they clean contacts, at least the ones they disconnect when they take it apart. So maybe it was corrosion from the water in the past. Old film cameras that used mercury batteries are now showing corrosion from the outgassing that went on back in the day. An interesting side note; when a Rolex watch is sent in for repair they replace the original dome, bevel, and stem and that lowers their value.
👍
My R7 had the sensor replaced, the shutter replaced and the top plate replaced, the problems were from day one and took three returns over a few years to finally get it working correctly. All work was done under warranty and l would get the camera back within a fortnight which is good service but repairs probably cost twice the new camera price. Now my R5ii has issues from day one l am getting a bit annoyed at these constant little issues but the aftermarket service from Nikon and Sony have been horrendous in my experience so l will persist.
My Nikon experiences have been very good.Canon also. Just this camera had a couple hiccups.
I had a similar case with a Fujifilm camera. Самеra was injured by the water, the joystick stopped working. I handed it over to an official service center, a few days later they called and said that the camera was flooded with water, and repairs would be paid for. They asked if I wanted to repair it? I said no, but after I picked it up, it was fine. Most likely they repaired it before they called me and asked if I would fix it? They probably thought that I would agree. Perhaps in your case there was something similar, especially since you have already agreed to a paid repair, albeit for a smaller amount.
May be
They had to find the Fix to give the estimate, maybe it was just something small like a blown resistor ???? and they had to take care of that for the final estimate, and since you declined and the work was already done it was sent back, they won't put a broken part back in the camera unless it was something like a new board to new ribbon cable or chip. I do electronics repairs and to give you a diagnosis again they had to be able to know the fix I'd say you got very lucky and it was just something small like a 35 cent resistor or capacitor.. Run it until it dies again!!!
That's the plan
Please list the Canon repair shop address. This would be helpful to have the address handy.
Not sure of it. I just have Stewarts Photo send it off for me.
Watch out for grizzly rain... 😉🙂
The worst 🐻🌧️
The R7 should be built to the same standards as the R5 & R5 MK II, after all it’s be cropped format version of the R5 with the same bill quality.
For 1500 USD, remember that. corners have to cut and weather sealing is one of those. It has held up well for the trauma I put it through here in Alaska though.
The only thing on the R7's which seem to cosistently fail, is the Mechanical Shutter,. and that thing is so loud and slappy, and causes such terrible shutter shock, I never use MS anymore anyway. I use to use EFCS about 5% of the time, but to preserve the life of my cameras, I quit using that too. I did start getting "Error 30" (mechanical shutter malfuntion) when I turned it on sometimes, and I'd have to turn it back off, and back on a time or two to get it to fully power up. Well, I was using the feature to "Close Shutter at Shutdown", so my theory was, that my shutter was starting to get sticky. Turned that feature off, and never had another "Error 30" message. So now, I just don't use my MS at all, for anything, ever.
Interesting. I do shoot 100% full ECS myself and I never get any errors. Just the 2 instances I stated is the only issues I have ever had with the camera. And right now its working flawlessly.
Send me one down under I still can’t get one for less than 1500 Australian
😮
Maybe some white hat repair guy did a free quick fix without anyone knowing?
May be.
have you check your battery door flash red when you close it?
It closes properly.
My R7 with 10k clicks would not power up, canon replaced main board, $400. Not happy
Ouch.
I have the same policy for firmware updates. If it isn’t broken don’t fix it.
👍
You stated you weren’t willing to spend the $700 so you requested they send back. But you failed to mention whether or not you were charged!
Just shipping. $15 USD