Canon EOS 1DX defective Mirror Boxes - Screen Splash - AF Lock-up

[GoldWing]

I work for a newspaper and we bought two Canon 1DX's to replace older equipment.

Both IDX's were defective. We returned one and sent the other to Canon. This will be the third time we're sending the 1DX back to Canon for the same reasons.

1. The mirror / screen gets small black specs in it. Some are clear others look like random shaped dark pieces of broken black glass.

2. The Auto Focus stops working. First we notice a lack of focus, then the lenses hunts a lot, then it does not focus at all.

The Canon 1DX we bought had a white "A" in the battery compartment. We were told it was adjusted by Canon after it was made so all of the above would not happen.

When we sent it in the first time it was returned with a white dot next to the "A" but the same thing happened again. And again, splash in the screen and a lack of focus all the same things happend after only a few shots.

We sent the 1DX back to Canon again and it was returned saying the "MIRROR BOX" was replaced. After a few 100 shots, we were all amazed that this happened again the very same way.

The Camera has been to Canon so much time that we can't return it to the retailer and now it's back with Canon for a 3rd time. If Canon fixed this after is was manufactured, this is really the 4th time Canon is fixing the same issue not the third.

We did some research and now we see there are many people all over the world with the same issues with the 1DX having defects or defective AF and this oil splash.

Are there others out there with this same issue? Have you had to have your new 1DX fixed 3 or 4 times?

Canon cannot seem to fix this issue and based on a Google we did, the 1DX seems to be defective in design itself. One note I read said something about oil being the issue and another about broken plastic.

This seems never ending

Martin

 

[Nazareth]

I'm dealign with htis very issue as we speak- My sensor arrived in absolutely filthy condition, and this was a brand new camera too- I shot with it that way for a year thinking it was just dust, avoiding light areas in my photos so I wouldn't have to work like a dog removign htem in post- I finally by accident found out abotu their product advisory about 3 weeks ago, and arranged for canon to fix the proble, and of course clean the sensor- They fixed it, but only cleaned the center of hte sensor as you will see in the following photo- look especially at the upper and lower corners- http://www.flickr.com/photos/55331349@N05/10348299754/#sizes/k/in/photostream/

I've enhanced the tonal contrast in the sky shot, but beleive me, even without enhancement, the spots are so prominent and so prevelent that tryign to fix the spots in post is a ngithmare- I sent Canon tech the link to the photo and let it be known that this was the very first shot after IU got it back from their tech service- now htey want me to send it in again- after beign without my camera for a week+ already=- Right during fall foliage season too!

I beleive the issue is bits of plastic from the wear and tear on the camera due to insufficient lubrication in the mirror box-

My camera is out of warrenty next month- so not sure how they are goign to keep fixing it- I had just sent in the camera two weeks ago, and they tried to make me pay for soem other repairs that were needed claimign it was 'out of warrenty' (I hadnb't sent in my warrenty card unfortunately-) but I was able to show that it was still under a year old, and the other issues were fixed (My portrait mode scroll wheel never woerkd right, and was gettign other issues liek 'caution 02' which was fixed by firmware update etc-)

I'm not very happy with htis situuation at all- I literally spent every last dime I had on this camera- was suepr excited to get a 'rugged' camera, thinking it would last a good long time- only to find out I may have gotten screwede by gettign an early model with mechanical issues that might cause premature breakdown

IF anyoen else is havign hte issues, please get with canon to fix the issues as them ore peopel that are havign the problem, the likelier canon is to make good on the issue- But perhaps they will put it off utnil people's mirror boxes begin actually failing due to mechanical failure- (which will likely happen AFTER the warrenty has run out- Hopefulyl htis issue can be resolved soon- but it doesn't look like it's goign to be- so those of us with hte early models are apparentyl crap out of luck-

The 1DX has huge promise, but the early models seem to be an issue at htis point

one more way to tell if you have early model is if the 6'th number from your left- countign left to right, on hte seriel number is a 0-7 I guess- but also look in battery compartment for either an A or a black mark on the silver knob just inside hte compartment

 

[arbitrage]

I have been following the issue for some time. My 1DX is only 1 month old and has a number 8 in the serial number's 6th position so this supposedly means that it is manufactured with the "fix" already in place. My understanding of the "fix" for cameras that aren't showing any AF problems is just extra lubrication to prevent the black plastic particles from wearing off and spreading themselves throughout the camera internals. Cameras with actual AF problems are getting the whole mirror box replaced I think.

Now, I personally have not had any AF problems. However, within a few hundred shots I started seeing the small black spots in the viewfinder. They first appeared in the upper right and now I have them in all 4 corners but not many or any in the centre of the frame. I also was getting a lot of oil on the sensor that required a wet swab cleaning as my first attempt with a dry brush just smeared the oil across the sensor. The wet clean worked well.

I am worried. The most detailed information about this problems is in these two DPreview threads. The one poster "tvstaff" is very adamant that there is still a big problem even with serial numbers past the recall (i.e. #8s as no #9s have been reported in the wild yet).

http://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/3553325
http://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/3514406

Canon Canada has told the one poster on DPReview that the specs in the prism area (these are the black dots seen through the VF) are not part of the recall problem and don't affect the actual picture (which is true, they are just ugly to look at and disappointing on a $7000 camera). They said they could replace the prism but that would be not covered under warranty or under the recall.

I haven't contacted Canon yet but I'm keeping a close eye on the problem. What we don't know if is the oil just from the excess lubricant to fix the original problem or are these black spots actual physical particles that is wearing off and eventually will affect the AF sensor from working as some have experienced.

 

[Mt Spokane Photography]

I suspect that you are seeing a "A" because they have developed a different fix. A few people have noted this, so it happens, and may be a assembly issue or out of tolerance parts. Canon does seem to keep after a issue until it gets fixed.

 

[Viggo]

Here the warranty on all electronics goes like this:

3rd time handed it for the same fault=Product replaced. Always. No question.

Worth checking out if it's anything like that, that could help out.

 

[Ewinter]

At least they didn't just released a 1.1dx

 

[Nazareth]

Arbitrage said [[My understanding of the "fix" for cameras that aren't showing any AF problems is just extra lubrication to prevent the black plastic particles from wearing off and spreading themselves throughout the camera internals.]]

That's what worries me, how did they 'fix' the situation? Spray soem silicon on the parts that rub together? IF so, then this lubrication WILL eventually rub off too, and then we'll have dry plastic parts rubbing agaisnt each other spreading debri throughout hte camera again, and the plastic parts will further be damaged from further wear and tear because the mirror box mechanisms were not properly constructed right fro mthe beginning-

I have read TVSTAFF's posts before- and he brigns up soem good points- one of which I mentioend above-

[[Canon Canada has told the one poster on DPReview that the specs in the prism area (these are the black dots seen through the VF) are not part of the recall problem and don't affect the actual picture (which is true, they are just ugly to look at and disappointing on a $7000 camera). They said they could replace the prism but that would be not covered under warranty or under the recall.]]

That's funny because everythign I've read, they are a direct result of the faulty mirror box mechanisms causign hte debri throughout hte camera- and quite honestly, where else is htis debri going in the camera? Is it landing in delicate electronic areas?

 

[GoldWing]

Arbitrage said [[My understanding of the "fix" for cameras that aren't showing any AF problems is just extra lubrication to prevent the black plastic particles from wearing off and spreading themselves throughout the camera internals.]]

That's what worries me, how did they 'fix' the situation? Spray soem silicon on the parts that rub together? IF so, then this lubrication WILL eventually rub off too, and then we'll have dry plastic parts rubbing agaisnt each other spreading debri throughout hte camera again, and the plastic parts will further be damaged from further wear and tear because the mirror box mechanisms were not properly constructed right fro mthe beginning-

I have read TVSTAFF's posts before- and he brigns up soem good points- one of which I mentioend above-

[[Canon Canada has told the one poster on DPReview that the specs in the prism area (these are the black dots seen through the VF) are not part of the recall problem and don't affect the actual picture (which is true, they are just ugly to look at and disappointing on a $7000 camera). They said they could replace the prism but that would be not covered under warranty or under the recall.]]

That's funny because everythign I've read, they are a direct result of the faulty mirror box mechanisms causign hte debri throughout hte camera- and quite honestly, where else is htis debri going in the camera? Is it landing in delicate electronic areas?

I did some research and it's a piece of plastic that rubs up against a piece of steel every time the shutter is pressed. Common sense would tell you that at some point the steel wins! It's like when we were kids and played paper, stone sissors.

You can only put so much oil on the piece and at some point it wears out. No amout of oil can solve this issue. It's a piece of plastic rubbing up on a piece of steel. At some point the plastic breaks and your 1DX is wothless.

If Canon knew this and still sold the cameras to people it's just like stealing in my book.

Worse yet! Canon now knows it and is still selling the 1DX.

Worse worse..... There are people with 1DX cameras that could fail at important times.

Worse worse worse... Canon knows this and is doing nothing but sending defective camaeras back to their clients.

The Japanese used to have honor and pride in their products. I remember when made in Japan was associated with quality... I guess those days are gone. No BUSHIDO. When the old Japanese leaders of industry passed away so did the honor of their products!!!! The Canon 1DX is now proof that Japanese Manufacturing has lost ground to China. I never thought I would live to see the day.

 

[Fuzzy Caveman]

The Japanese used to have honor and pride in their products. I remember when made in Japan was associated with quality... I guess those days are gone. No BUSHIDO. When the old Japanese leaders of industry passed away so did the honor of their products!!!! The Canon 1DX is now proof that Japanese Manufacturing has lost ground to China. I never thought I would live to see the day.

I guess I'll go back to my happy meal toy with cadmium in it.

 

[Nazareth]

Goldwing- do you by any chance remember where you foudn that info on the plastic rubbing agaisnt the steel? I'd liek thei nfo incase Canon starts claiming the debri is from somethign else-

I agree that it's like stealing- It's like Honda or Chevy or whatever, selling an auto where the breaks constantly stick and rub due to a defect which can't be fixed mechanically, and at best they just keep doing a temporary 'fix' and sendign it back to the customer- eventually the parts will wear out, and basically the company is saying 'Heck with you customers- it's your problem, not ours- live with it" instead of doing hte right thing-

 

[GoldWing]

Goldwing- do you by any chance remember where you foudn that info on the plastic rubbing agaisnt the steel? I'd liek thei nfo incase Canon starts claiming the debri is from somethign else-

I agree that it's like stealing- It's like Honda or Chevy or whatever, selling an auto where the breaks constantly stick and rub due to a defect which can't be fixed mechanically, and at best they just keep doing a temporary 'fix' and sendign it back to the customer- eventually the parts will wear out, and basically the company is saying 'Heck with you customers- it's your problem, not ours- live with it" instead of doing hte right thing-

Here... it's happening all over the world! http://www.photocounter.com.au/2013/canon-warranty-dispute-leads-to-claims-of-fraud/#comment-14152 Canon knows the 1DX is defective

 

[Viggo]

Anyone know ca how many actuations before this happens?

 

[Steve Todd]

I would also like to know the shutter counts from folks experiencing this problem.
I've had my 1DX for almost a year now and have been problem free. However, I will be out in So Cal next month and plan on having my camera checked, per the Service Bulliten, at the Canon Service Ctr in Irvine.

 

[Viggo]

I would also like to know the shutter counts from folks experiencing this problem.
I've had my 1DX for almost a year now and have been problem free. However, I will be out in So Cal next month and plan on having my camera checked, per the Service Bulliten, at the Canon Service Ctr in Irvine.

FWIW mine is at 58.000 and no problems so far, it has been in for re-lubrication.

 

[duydaniel]

Very interesting. I wonder if this is the case with the 5d3 too?

 

[Loswr]

It's a piece of plastic rubbing up on a piece of steel. At some point the plastic breaks and your 1DX is wothless.

If Canon knew this and still sold the cameras to people it's just like stealing in my book.

Any manufactured item can have problems. Assuming you drive a car, run a Google search for the make/model of your car and the word 'problems' - even if you've never had an issue, do you find the millions of hits that likely result alarming, or indicative of malfeasance on the part of the manufacturer?

Of course Canon knows the shutter mechanism will break. At some point, everything breaks. Canon knows how they designed the shutter mechanism, they've tested it, and they rated it for 400,000 actuations.

It sucks that you're having issues with your 1D X, and I'm sorry to hear that. But, it does seem that Canon acknowledged an issue and has a fix in place. Personally, I had no issues with my 1D X, but I dropped into the Jamesburg service center on a business trip to New Jersey, they performed the repair and a sensor cleaning in less than an hour, no charge.

 

[Nazareth]

Anyone know ca how many actuations before this happens?

My issues started imediately, got the camera brand new, took a few test shotsi n the house, hten went out that day, took shots of landscapes with skies in them, then later when I put photos on computer noticed the crud in the corners-

I had contacted a professional camera/lens reviewer at digitalpictures.com (or soemthign liek that- one of hte major digi review sites) because they had a review of trhe 1DX and I aksed if his sensor was dirty and he replied it was the dirtiest sensor he'd ever seen on a brand new camera- He said back then he was just goign to keep cleanign the sensor himself, but I haven't recontacted him to ask if he has sent his in for the recall yet- but his sensor was affected almost immediately too-

 

[Nazareth]

Very interesting. I wonder if this is the case with the 5d3 too?

No- I haven't heard of htis issue with hte 5D3- although I have heard of light leak issues with the 5D3

 

[Nazareth]

[[It sucks that you're having issues with your 1D X, and I'm sorry to hear that. But, it does seem that Canon acknowledged an issue and has a fix in place.]]

Well that's the issue- it's not really a fix- peopel all over are reporting havign to send hteir cameras back time and again after the 'fix' has been applied ie: lubrication- they are reporting the plastic bits start up again a few weeks after beign sent in- soem have even had their whole mirror box assembly replaced with hte 'new updated version' yet report that these so called new improved assemblies are still doign hte same thing-

As to the car thing, sure, there are lots of complaints abotu anythign from heater not blowing enough hot air, to brakes failing, however, when enough peopel experience failign brake systems, the companies are forced to do more than apply a temporary fix- the parts are redisigned, and a recall is issued, and the parts are exchanged for the new ones that work properly

It seems that with hte 1DX enough peopel are beginnign to expeirence the issue that it's becoming more than anectdotal accounts- peopel complaining about cars on the net, a lot of the complaints are anectdotal ie: 'My heater doesn't work right, therefore the engine must be cracked' type claims or "I put cooking oil in the radiator, and now my wipers work better' type claims (when the reality is that they may have jarred the wiper mechanism when openign hte hood without knowing it, which wiggled a wire enough that it now is fully connected and so the wiper motor now doesn't keep stuttering)- But, when enough ligit complaints start coming in like "I got out of car today, looked down, and noticed a lot of black dust in the wheelwell" then you begin to see a pattern which indicates there might be a mechanical defect in the brakign system-

That's all we're sayign here really- there seems to be enough evidence mountign that the 1DX may have a defective part in it which affects many, but not all, models for whatever reason

 

[chilledXpress]

After about 20,000 actuations and a CPS service due to "specks"... I am starting to see this reoccur in mine

I've been a loyal Canon customer for longer than I care to admit. This is the first body I have been less than enthused about after using. I shoot weddings, sporting events and portraits, absolutely love superbike races!!! I don't travel to the arctic or war zones. In real world conditions that I am encountering, aside from the frame rate, I see little difference from the 5D3(which I own multiple copies of). I used my 1DX for a few months and then began to instinctively grab a 5D3 when given a choice. I'm not sure that was the best in the long run though as now I am starting to see these same issues. Had this occurred earlier I might have had a better chance of a full refund. Now I "own" it and Canon refuses to replace it. So after a CPS service, and another 1000 shots, it's rearing it's ugly head again. It's pretty disappointing for their so called flagship model and Canon's responses to this issue. After owning one since Nov 2012 and seeing the same issues reported again and again, even after service repair... I'm afraid I own a lemon and not sure how to make lemonade out of it. Maybe I could sell it to some unsuspecting person but I'd rather not pass along the pain to someone else. At some point Canon should make a full replacement available but doubt they will ever go that far without a serious fight.

I'll take the "light leak" issues of the 5D3 any day over a persistent dirty sensor.