 Jessica K. Cunningham |
Canon Mark VI no power I have been shooting with a Canon 20D and 5D for the last few years with no problems. Christmas 2010 I got a Mark VI. I was kind of scared to touch it for a while, and was pregnant and remodeling my business and oh so busy, so I decided to put it away until I had time to sit down and really learn the camera. Now, almost a year later, I have been trying to use it an can get no power. I have tried both batteries. Has anyone else had this problem? Am I missing something? I have tried reading the manual (more like scanning I guess) and have found no help, and searched the internet and found no help. Could I be missing something? Some button or setting? Or should I give up the ghost and send it somewhere? Back to Canon? I live in the boonies and have no help within a few hours and am not tech savey.
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Jessica K. Cunningham |
By the way, I did start it up and shoot with it right after Christmas, so it worked then. Just not now. Thanks!
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Irene Troy |
I saw your post last week, but hoped someone with your particular camera might answer. However, since you have received no response, I’ll toss out a few ideas based on my experience with my 5D-MK2. I’m sure you’ve already checked to ensure your batteries are both fully charged and capable of holding this charge –right? This seems basic, but you’d be surprised how often power issues are related to bad batteries. The other issue may relate to contacts within the battery chamber itself – make sure these are uncovered (In the case of several cameras I’ve seen, the contacts come shipped with a protective clear plastic that is sometimes hard to see) and clean. Finally, make sure the batteries are inserted correctly and lined up together evenly. In the 5D-Mk2 with a battery grip you are able to insert both batteries incorrectly as well as correctly. Sounds stupid, but the first time I inserted the batteries so one was upside down and then spent most of a day trying to figure out what was wrong! If you’ve already covered these issues and still have no luck, you might want to contact the store where you purchased the camera or contact Canon directly. I find the folks at Canon to be helpful, even to those of us who make stupid mistakes.
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Lynn R. Powers |
Jessica, First we need to know what camera you really own. Canon does not make a MarkVI (6) camera. But perhaps that is only a typo and you meant a 1DMarkIV (4). You also meantioned "batteries". Did you receive more than one battery with the camera. If so one of them is an extra that the gift giver purchased in addition to the one that comes with the camera. Unlike the 5D that used the same battery as the Canon EOS 20D-50D this camera has a totally different battery. When you received the camera the battery had enough residual charge in it to let you take a few photos. After that they need to have a full charge put into them which takes a couple hours each. Batteries sitting on the shelf will loose their charge over a long period of time. Ten months is a long period of time especially if it was in the camera and even moreso if you forgot to turn the camera to 'OFF' and it was on standby, automatic shutdown. Unlike cards, which will last forever or so it seems, batteries last about three years unles you are shooting 20,000 or more images per year. It is easy to tell when a bettery is on its last legs because it will go from a full charge to very little charge after a hundred or so exposures. It is not a bad battery just a worn out battery which needs replacing. I have three batteries for my 40D and three for my 5DII. The batteries are numbered and I rotate them as they run out of juice. When they start wearing out they are replaced. If, like lately, the camera hasn't had any use in three months I recharge the batteries. When I am on a trip all of the batteries that have been used that day are recharged in the evening. In addition to that I recharge all batteries the day before I know I am going out for the day or the trip the day before I depart. These are not like rechargeable Alkaline batteries that should be recharged after they have been fully used. The camera batteries do not have a memory and can be charged if they had 10 shots taken two weeks ago or 450 yesterday without doing harm to the battery. I have purchased batteries from SterlingTec and they worked as fine as those from Canon at a much reduced price. So far during the past six years I have NEVER had a battery or card problem. Hope this helps. Recharge your batteries.
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Jessica K. Cunningham |
Yes, I meant the MarkIV. I am usually typing with a baby in one arm these days, and typos abound. Yes, this is a completely different batter than I had in my 20D or in my 5D. It has a large charger that has a place for two batterys to slide in. I got an extra battery as well as some other goodies with it as a gift. The camera was off, but dormant for those 10 months. The battery was in the camera, and I removed it and put both on to charge (I kind of figured that would be obvious, but I guess I shouldhave mentioned that) before I even tried to turn it on. There is a flashing light on the charger that indicates that the batteries are charging (I beleive is says something like 2 hr 4 hr etc but do not have it in from of me so I am not totally sure). When it got to the half way charge mark, I inserted one battery, and when it didn't work, I tried the other. I have been shooting for 6 years now and still use all my batteries for my 5D and 20D. I think it would be strange that both of the brand new battieries for my new camera would not be working just because of a few months of not being used. I think I will go ahead and order another just to be sure, and if that doesn't work... I guess it'll be on to Canon.
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- Carlton Ward Contact Carlton Ward Carlton Ward's Gallery |
Hi Jessica, I would definitely check the battery contacts on the batteries and inside the Mk IV as they may have a film or slight corrosion from sitting. You may need a flashlight & long swabs to see & reach in the camera. It is recommended that when you are not shooting to remove the batteries from the camera. I had an old Canon 1DS and those batteries were really heavy and larger than the newer 1D series batteries. Good Luck, Carlton
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Lynn R. Powers |
Jessica, One thing about the dual battery chargers that Canon uses is that they only charge one battery at a time even though there is room for both of them. I suggest that you put both batteries back into the charger and let them charge overnight. They have never had a full charge. When one is fully charged it will put that one onto a trickle charge and then charge the other battery. You can't over charge these batteries with these chargers. So don't worry about sleeping soundly for eight hours. Always give the batteries a FULL charge, even some plus. The problem may lie in the charger, which is more likely to be the case than having received two bad batteries. Even with the 5D I have had the charger indicate that the battery was fully charged and when I put it into the camera it only registered about 2/3 full. After the batteries have a full nights charge on them try them again. If you still have the same problem call Canon @ 800-652-2666. For the D1 Mark IV they will connect you to the Pro division and someone will help you. Make sure that you have the camera, batteries and charger at your side when you call. I have found them to be one of the best companies around for customer service. They will tell you if you should purchase new batteries or a new charger or determine if you are doing something wrong. It will be a lot better than just jumping in and buying new bateries when all you need is a new charger or finding out that you didn't do something properly. Cheaper too. :=) Good Luck,
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