R3 PCB Assembly Repair - Electronic Malfunction

[Keithf2.8is]

One of my R3 bodies hasn't been keeping time. For a while now I've had to reset to the correct time once a month. Sometimes it was slow, sometimes it was fast. I purchased the camera brand new from B&H Photo in May 2024. I can't say for sure if it was malfunctioning before May 2025. Which is when the warranty expired.

I sent the camera to Canon via CPS(Canon Professional Services) for evaluation and was informed that the PCB Assembly needs to be replaced. The PCB is the main logic board, the brains of the camera. Even with my CPS Platinum discount, my total was $920.

I've been using Canon since January 2004(14 bodies in total) and have never had an electronic malfunction of this magnitude. I can't recall having any electronic malfunctions. Bodies I've used extensively: 10D, 20D, 30D, 40D, 7DMII, 1DX, 1DX MII, and of course the R3. On one hand I was shocked the PCB went out so quickly. On the other hand, I'm amazed at the workmanship of these cameras to function as they do without much failure. Only 1 major failure in 22 years! I've never purchased an extended warranty. If I had, for all the cameras I've purchased over the years, I would have spent well over $920.

Has anyone else had a major electronic repair on their cameras?

 

[sfericean]

I wont go into too many details about my situation as my R1 was working fine before I decided to "try something", but suffice it to say, that the PCB board replacement seems to be the common thing to do when there are problems with these modern cameras. In lieu of trying to figure out the endless "why", it's just easier for Canon to change the PCB board with a known functioning board and move on. Now in my situation, I was still under warranty so I didn't absorb the cost associated with that replacement but yeah, its seems like the PCB replacement is all the rage now.

I've had some 15ish DSLR's and a number of mirrorless. I had one DSLR (5D Mark IV) act a little wonky (the dial near the shutter button would skip a movement from time to time) but it always worked when I needed it. The issue that I had with the R1 which again, was because I "tried something".

So I guess like you, I've only had one camera, over many years, act up without my monkeying around.

 

[neuroanatomist]

My personal experience is that Canon’s failure rate is overall very low, and that lenses are more reliable than bodies. I currently own 30 lenses and have previously owned somewhere around an additional 30-40 more, and I’ve never had a lens fail.

I own four bodies and previously owned 8 more, of which two failed. The first was an EOS M that died after two years, wouldn’t power on. Canon had a flat repair fee of around $250 for the model, and buying a new M2 was only a little more so I did that instead. Never found out what component failed, but the PCB was a likely candidate. The other was a 1D X that failed after 8+ years, died as I was using it – took a picture of a dragonfly then it just shut off and would not power back on, again seemed like the PCB failed. That was close to the R3 launch, and after my R3 arrived (I had the EOS R to tide me over), I sent the the 1D X for repair before selling it. As expected, the PCB was replaced…but it was only $219 (no CPS membership, and they replaced the focus screen, too).

 

[padam]

I like what this guy is doing (and he is willing to share his knowledge for enthusiasts) maybe he could have fixed it for less:

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

www.youtube.com

He says the R3 is pretty reliable in general.