mdorn Loc: Portland, OR

Finally thought it was the right time to strike and invest in a new FF Camera. I think the Nikon D600 spec-wise is a better choice, but I'm in too deep with Canon lenses. Regardless, right out of the box (after charging the battery) on my very first shot, I get an "Error 30". The warning message on the LCD screen said to cycle the power or remove and replace the battery. I did this and everything worked fine for the first several shots. Then suddenly, I took a shot and the LCD remained blank/black. I had it set to a 4 sec preview after every shot. Then went into review mode and it recorded the image as a black/blank frame. Again, I cycled power and it started working. I'm starting to get a little nervous at this point. Never had a problem like this with my 50D right out of the box. Did a little online research and found very little for this type of error on a 6D, aside from the fact this code is associated with a shutter release problem on other models. Noticed the firmware was one rev old, so I updated this. Then decided to sleep on it. This morning same error on the first shot. Then after cycling power, it worked again.

Of course, you know what I just got done doing, right? Back in the box. So disappointed. Oh well... it wasn't meant to be yet. Now I'm rethinking a new camera purchase. Yes, a little gun-shy on the quality control at Canon. Anyone else see this problem with the 6D? Since it's a relatively new model, I suspect not many others have seen this.

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

Supposedly Err 30 is shutter failure...uh oh.

mdorn Loc: Portland, OR

Yep, that's what it indicates. Brand new out of the box. I was very careful to follow the start-up & setup instructions to the letter. In the end, it's an intermittent Err 30. Not sure if I just got one of the extremely few with this issue, but it does concern me a bit. I expected a little more from Canon.

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

I KNEW I did the right thing by skipping the 6D and buying a 5DIII :)

Oh...I'm sorry..that's like rubbing salt in a fresh wound.

mdorn Loc: Portland, OR

No worries... I'm rethinking my purchase anyway. The 5DIII is a better choice, but I was struggling with the price difference. The plastic construction on parts of the 6D is a bit of a turn off, but the light weight was kind of nice. The focus speed on the 6D in low light seemed a bit slow as well. Definitely an entry level FF camera.

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

You're in luck...I've been watching Fuji X110S videos all day and am dying to unload my 5DIII and all my L lenses for pennies on the dollar! :)

PS: i got mine with the Canon loyalty program....2,100.00 with only 600 shutter clicks on it...and it was clean as a whistle.


Being serious....the 5DIII is not even in the same league as the 6D or the 5DII...it's really a 1DX full frame clone.

you won't be sorry...

mdorn Loc: Portland, OR

I don't doubt you for a second... it's that darn price tag of the 5DIII! I'm not a pro, so it's really hard for me to justify. Heck, it's hard for me to justify the entry level 6D. I might just stick with my 50D and keep saving. There is only one issue I'm really trying to solve with this purchase---I need a second camera body. I figured it would be nice to have a crop and a FF camera, but I really only need TWO bodies. Sure, I can get a 7D (can't go to the T5i because of it's size in my hand) and call it good, but since the 6D came out, I thought it a slightly small incremental step.

haroldross Loc: Walthill, Nebraska

I'm sorry the 6D had the problems. My daughter is thrilled with hers. She used my 5D MK III and was convinced that she needed to go full frame.

She handed me her 6D the other day to take a few pictures for her. After being used to the 5D MK III, the 6D seemed so slow. There is a lot of differences between the two cameras but many people would be very satisfied with the 6D.

ole sarg Loc: south florida

Did you go back to factory settings to see if the error message came back. I seem to push buttons and screw things up and then back to factory settings until I push the wrong button again!

ole sarg Loc: south florida

Did you go back to factory settings to see if the error message came back. I seem to push buttons and screw things up and then back to factory settings until I push the wrong button again!

oldtool2 Loc: South Jersey

You are the first one I have heard that was this unsatisfied with the 6D, and the first one getting this error. That is not to say I wouldn’t feel the same way if this happened to me when I got mine. I bought mine knowing it was a beginners level FF and it is what I expected. I know it cannot compete with the 5D ver. III so do not begin comparing it to that camera. It is not fair to do so, you knew what you were buying just like I did.

I also do not think it is fair to come down on Canon the way so many of the posts here are doing! I am sure there have been others that have bought top line cameras, any make, that have gotten a bad one that has slipped by their quality control inspections. Thankfully we don’t hear of this happening very often. Manufactures have gotten very good at their inspections.

I am sure if you return that camera the problem will be corrected with no questions asked. I read a lot of reviews on the 6D before I bought mine and all of them were good considering this is an inexpensive entry level FF camera body. Just remember, you are not buying or paying for a 5D ver. II or III, or for that matter a 1D! I am very happy with my 6D with the understanding I got what I paid for. For as often as I need a FF camera I couldn’t, and still can’t, justify spending the extra $1400.00.

Jim D

oldtool2 Loc: South Jersey

You have a good point sarg. When I get a new toy I love to play with the buttons to see what happens and have caused a problem for myself sometimes. It is so easy to do that and blame the manufacture, only to find out it was something I caused.

Jim D

mdorn Loc: Portland, OR

Thanks for this feedback. I did everything I know to do, so yes, I restored everything to it's factory settings more than once. Err 30 is associated with a shutter release problem. A few times I got this error message, and then a couple of other times I just got a blank screen after shooting---as if the shutter didn't open. I suspect that is what mine was doing.

mdorn Loc: Portland, OR

Hi Jim,

To be honest, I wasn't that unsatisfied. Yes, I was very disappointed because I have been anticipating this purchase for awhile, and when the price dropped slightly, I thought now would be a good time buy.

Incidentally, my research online for this error first came up with the 5DII. Like mine, brand new units shipped with this error. The resolution was always to return it. So, yes, I am not trying to bash the 6D in anyway. You are absolutely correct---I know it's an entry level FF camera. I did not expect a 5DIII in a 6D body.

Naturally, I'm just a little hesitant to buy another, but this is not based on the 6D's photo results. I need to rethink my strategy. Thanks for your feedback.

oldtool2 Loc: South Jersey

I can understand the hesitation. I think if I were you though I would return it for another 6D. All the reviews for it have been positive as a beginner FF so I would chance it. I know I have been happy with mine so far. I would really hate to spend a lot more money just to get another camera with a lot of features I don’t need.

Let us know what you decide.

Jim D