Canon 7D stopped working (Page 2): Canon Lee did not indicate whether a sealed bag was used. Based on this new info and sparse details I wonder if the problem might have been...

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

LFingar wrote:

That is why you place it in a sealed bag until it warms up.

Canon Lee did not indicate whether a sealed bag was used. Based on this new info and sparse details I wonder if the problem might have been condensation rather than inclement weather.

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

mwsilvers wrote:

I generally agree but I wonder is there may be a lot of moisture in the refrigerator.

No. Refrigerated air is extremely dry. People think that because as soon as they pull something out of a refrigerator moisture often condenses on it. Ever notice the puddle of water under your car when the a/c has been running? That's because the a/c unit pulls moisture out of the air entering your car. Your refrigerator has a fresh vegetable drawer to keep items out of the air flow. Otherwise veggies will dry out and wilt much quicker.

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

mwsilvers wrote:

Canon Lee did not indicate whether a sealed bag was used. Based on this new info and sparse details I wonder if the problem might have been condensation rather than inclement weather.

This time of year, depending on where he lives of course, the camera would be warmer from being in the house then the outside air and condensation would not occur.

canon Lee

mwsilvers wrote:

The top and real dials control aperture and shutte... (show quote)

both temporarily dead.

Picture Taker Loc: Michigan Thumb

Cal Camon (800) 652-2666

nadelewitz Loc: Ithaca NY

canon Lee wrote:

One question. will having the camera in the cold refrigerator harm the camera?

The cold won't harm the camera. But putting cold camera in warmer air can.
Taking a cold camera to a warmer environment will cause condensation on/inside of the camera. That's why a responder said to put an open ziplock bag in the fridge with the camera overnight. Then put the camera in the bag before taking out of the fridge. The sealed bag will allow camera to warm up without exposure to moisture in warmer air.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

Yes, the first thing I'd suspect is your battery. It might just be getting old, unable to take a full charge and need replacement.

Do you use a battery grip on the camera? If so, that's another possible point of failure. Check the contacts between the grip and the camera, the contacts between the batteries and the grip, that the grip is fully and tightly attached, and operate the grip's off/on switch a half dozen or more times (it's a "self cleaning" design, operating it can often clean any build up of oxidization). Third party grips are particularly prone to problems. Canon OEM grips rarely give problems.

Aside from all that, you might try updating or reloading the camera's firmware. That's essentially an "operating system" for the computerized cameras we use these days. And, just like desktops and laptops, the OS can become corrupted over time and may need a clean installation.

If the problem persists after trying those things, contact Canon for advice. They will probably want you to send the camera in for service.

When using a camera in a cold environment, there usually aren't problems unless things get REALLY cold, which can cause shutters to be sluggish due to thickening of the oils used to lubricate them. Often cameras that are specially prepared for use in really cold environments have the standard lubrication removed and replaced with thinner products that are less likely to cause issues (but may be inadequate lubrication in warmer climes). The synthetic lubricantion typically used in modern gear is a lot less prone to issues related to temperature, though. And a refrigerator isn't really all that cold.

However, be sure to have a spare battery available for extended shooting in lower temps. Cold makes batteries much less efficient. Keep the spare warm in a pocket or somehow and swap them out when the first battery appears to be getting low on power. Once it's warmed back up in a pocket, that first battery should recover to some extent and be usable again.

As noted by other responses, you do need to be careful about condensation in the camera and lens(es). Condensation occurs when an object is cold, then suddenly exposed to warmer air. The more ambient moisture in the air and the greater the difference in temperatures, the more likely it will occur. Best solution is to seal up the gear - as has been suggested - (I'd double up plastic bags, though) and let the gear slowly adapt to the new temperature before unsealing it. 45 minutes to an hour is usually sufficient time... But, it depends, a greater difference in the temps may need longer.

canon Lee

amfoto1 wrote:

Yes, the first thing I'd suspect is your battery. It might just be getting old, unable to take a full charge and need replacement.

Do you use a battery grip on the camera? If so, that's another possible point of failure. Check the contacts between the grip and the camera, the contacts between the batteries and the grip, that the grip is fully and tightly attached, and operate the grip's off/on switch a half dozen or more times (it's a "self cleaning" design, operating it can often clean any build up of oxidization). Third party grips are particularly prone to problems. Canon OEM grips rarely give problems.

Aside from all that, you might try updating or reloading the camera's firmware. That's essentially an "operating system" for the computerized cameras we use these days. And, just like desktops and laptops, the OS can become corrupted over time and may need a clean installation.

If the problem persists after trying those things, contact Canon for advice. They will probably want you to send the camera in for service.

When using a camera in a cold environment, there usually aren't problems unless things get REALLY cold, which can cause shutters to be sluggish due to thickening of the oils used to lubricate them. Often cameras that are specially prepared for use in really cold environments have the standard lubrication removed and replaced with thinner products that are less likely to cause issues (but may be inadequate lubrication in warmer climes). The synthetic lubricantion typically used in modern gear is a lot less prone to issues related to temperature, though. And a refrigerator isn't really all that cold.

However, be sure to have a spare battery available for extended shooting in lower temps. Cold makes batteries much less efficient. Keep the spare warm in a pocket or somehow and swap them out when the first battery appears to be getting low on power. Once it's warmed back up in a pocket, that first battery should recover to some extent and be usable again.

As noted by other responses, you do need to be careful about condensation in the camera and lens(es). Condensation occurs when an object is cold, then suddenly exposed to warmer air. The more ambient moisture in the air and the greater the difference in temperatures, the more likely it will occur. Best solution is to seal up the gear - as has been suggested - (I'd double up plastic bags, though) and let the gear slowly adapt to the new temperature before unsealing it. 45 minutes to an hour is usually sufficient time... But, it depends, a greater difference in the temps may need longer.

Yes, the first thing I'd suspect is your battery. ... (show quote)

Tank you for the info

carl hervol Loc: jacksonville florida

Why would you put the camera in the frig?

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

carl hervol wrote:

Why would you put the camera in the frig?

To remove moisture.

TuG Loc: Ventura California

My 7D acts up now and then, once or twice a year. My solution is to pull battery and turn camera off and back on. Then put new battery in. I have found the terminal connections on the batteries get corroded up and need cleaning. The 7D is one tough camera. Good luck.