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Question Answered!
Priscilla (Canon-Problems-help) 10 pts
January 16, 2007 4:34 PM
6 people rated this question helpful, 0 people rated this question not helpful Subscribe for Email Updates for this Question

I have the Canon S1IS and suddenly the screen turned all blurry and purple. A moment before it was fine. not drop the camera.

I did not drop the camera or do anything different.
It just turned blurry and purple in the middle of shooting pictures. Checked the batteries. Any suggestions?
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This question is also associated with Canon S1 IS, Nikon D50, Canon XTi / 400D, Pentax K100D (w/Lens), and Canon 350D.

Answers This question has been answered!
Ben Keough (DeadWolfBones) 10632 pts
January 16, 2007 10:42 PM
19 people rated this answer helpful, 0 people rated this answer not helpful
 
Hi Priscilla,

This is a known issue with some models of Canon cameras. What has happened is that your camera's imaging sensor (CCD) has become partially or fully detached from its wiring. Luckily, Canon has acknowledged the fault and is offering to repair any and all affected units for free (including free shipping both ways), whether they're under warranty or not. You can read the applicable service notice and then request a repair online.

Good luck!
Best Answer
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Priscilla (Canon-Problems-help) 10 pts
January 16, 2007 11:21 PM
5 people rated this answer helpful, 0 people rated this answer not helpful
 
You did good, Ben. You were right on! After the panic subsided, I did go on line and found exactly that. I will be getting a shipping label in the mail tomorrow via UPS. They were that quick with an answer and a personal one at that. Now I have to deal with camera withdrawal!
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Ben Keough (DeadWolfBones) 10632 pts
January 16, 2007 11:48 PM
3 people rated this answer helpful, 0 people rated this answer not helpful
 
Yeah, Canon is (compared to their competitors, at least) very good in the customer service department, especially when it comes to this particular error. From what I hear, the round trip for this kind of repair is pretty short, so you probably won't have to deal with your withdrawal symptoms for too long! :)
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Priscilla (Canon-Problems-help) 10 pts
January 17, 2007 12:08 AM
0 people rated this answer helpful, 1 people rated this answer not helpful
 
Hey, Ben, if you were to get a camera that will take clear, detailed bird photographs,,,,long distance...what would you get? I have a Bald Eagle's nest I'm watching and can't get closer than 25 to 50 yards away without disturbing the eagles and their young. Plus, I want to take some pictures of smaller birds 50 feet away. My son says I should get a "serious" camera because I use it every day for wildlife photos. I still want some automatic settings for quick "don't have to fiddle" shots, but also manual, av,tv, and I would love a better manual focus. Do you have any suggestions?
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Ben Keough (DeadWolfBones) 10632 pts
January 17, 2007 12:18 AM
1 people rated this answer helpful, 0 people rated this answer not helpful
 
I'm afraid your S1 IS's 10x is already pretty near the upper limit on zoom length in the consumer digital range. I have the S2 IS, which (along with the S3 IS and its direct competitors from Sony and Panasonic) has a 12x zoom. As far as I know, there is no consumer digital with a longer zoom than that, and I don't know that the additional 2x would make THAT much of a difference from what you have.

Beyond the consumer range, well, you're obviously getting into dSLR territory (or, as your son put it, "serious" cameras). When you jump to dSLRs you not only hike the price way up for the body, you're also looking at serious money for lenses. A very long zoom lens of any kind of quality is going to run you in the hundreds of dollars. Of course, you'll be able to take incredible photos, but you'll probably be well over $1000 total once you've bought the camera, lenses, and accessories.

There's not really an easy answer here, unfortunately.
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Rich Watson (Richio) 5683 pts
January 20, 2007 8:33 PM
2 people rated this answer helpful, 0 people rated this answer not helpful
 
Hey Ben (and Priscilla),

You are overlooking DIGITAL zoom (or cropping)!! If Priscilla is willing to settle for 4x6 prints, then look what she can do with a 12x optical zoom, coupled with a 6 to 7 megapixel sensor*: Use 3x digital zoom (or crop in a photo editor on a PC, same thing). That is the exact equivalent of 6/3 = 2 megapixels or 7/3 = 2.33 megapixels. So now your 12x camera is the equivalent of 36x power! And of course the 2 megapixels size is plenty good enough for 4x6 prints.

* Canon S3IS or Sony H5.

Richio
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Priscilla (Canon-Problems-help) 10 pts
January 20, 2007 9:14 PM
1 people rated this answer helpful, 0 people rated this answer not helpful
 
So, Ben, if you were me and wanted a more serious Canon camera, what would it be, aside from the S3? Would a Rebel be to great of a jump for someone with my limited knowledge. I want one that I can use larger lenses with. Trying to get a great detailed shot of "my" Bald Eagle nest near where I live.
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Ben Keough (DeadWolfBones) 10632 pts
January 25, 2007 8:05 PM
2 people rated this answer helpful, 0 people rated this answer not helpful
 
Hi Priscilla,

A Digital Rebel wouldn't be too big of a jump, no. Most digital SLRs have very, very good automatic modes that are just as easy to use as any smaller digital's auto mode. Either the Rebel XT or the XTi would be a good choice.

If you want to save a few dollars and you don't mind straying from the Canon brand, there are several less expensive dSLRs out there--you might consider the Nikon D40/D50 or the Pentax K110D/K100D. These can be had for around $500 w/a kit lens--usually not that great for zoom purposes, so you'd probably have to buy a long zoom lens. I don't know all that much about lenses, but I do know that, as I said above, a very long zoom lens is going to mean big big $$$.

Hope this helps. :)
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Al Harris 0 pts
February 26, 2007 3:48 PM
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I have just encountered the same problem with my S1 IS (in Oz) and I am not getting the same assistance that is being given in North America, lucky buggers.

Looks like I've got a new boat anchor. You don't think I have a sour taste in my mouth?

Australians who live outside of Sydney, beware.

HTH2
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Ben Keough (DeadWolfBones) 10632 pts
March 1, 2007 12:47 PM
1 people rated this answer helpful, 0 people rated this answer not helpful
 
Al,

That's pretty backwards-thinking of them. Seems like if there's a service advisory out for a large chunk of the world (I think South and Southeast Asia are covered as well), the entire planet ought to get recall service, doesn't it? If you feel like a fight, I'd suggest harassing them and pointing out that this very same problem gets very different results in another hemisphere. See if you can guilt them into some kind of compromise.

Sorry for your troubles.
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Ben Keough (DeadWolfBones) 10632 pts
March 1, 2007 12:49 PM
0 people rated this answer helpful, 0 people rated this answer not helpful
 
I should add, however, that some Aussie users have had success in getting Canon to do their repair for free. See "Pottera"'s post part way down this message board page.
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Gerry 2 pts
January 17, 2008 9:25 PM
2 people rated this answer helpful, 0 people rated this answer not helpful
 
I went to canons site and found an advisory on the S1 IS. I had a display that would not go on (all black) camera functions were all ok just no display. they had a recall on the chips. the following is the address for the advisory ... http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelInfoAct&tabact=SupportDetailTabAct&fcategoryid=223&modelid=9824

I sent my camera in per their instructions, received an e-mail a few days later(1/9/08) confirming that they would repair it a few more days later (1/16/08)I received another e-mail confirming that it had been repaired and shipped. Today (1/17/08) I got it and to my very pleasant surprise the box contained a new S5 IS!!! I will be sending them a very nice THANK YOU for it after I post this.

PS e-mail accepting repair 1/9/08
e-mail stating it shipped on 1/15/08, 1/16/08
received 1/17/08

Found another link http://www.imaging-resource.com/NEWS/1164376280.html
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etv 1 pts
February 2, 2008 7:50 PM
1 people rated this answer helpful, 0 people rated this answer not helpful
 
Hi Priscilla

I have the same problem with my S1 IS and I called the customer service centre. They asked me to turn on the camera and asked me to press the menu button. Asked me if it was blurry while the menu was on. On my camera the image is blurried only in the picture shooting mode. I can get the photos displayed on the screen perfectly. Was this the case with your camera too?

I remember a friend of mine also getting a new camera when he had a similar problem. I hope I too get a new camera
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Mark 0 pts
March 16, 2008 1:13 PM
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Hi Priscilla and Ben,

Thank you VERY much for posting the problem and the solution on this site. I just experienced this problem with my camera this week, and found your wonderful information on the web today. Thank you! I'll be contacting Canon tomorrow.

Again, I very much appreciate you making the time to post the issue and the solution on the web so many other people can benefit. That was very nice of both of you, and I really appreciate it.

Best regards,
Mark
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Prakash 0 pts
May 1, 2008 11:55 PM
0 people rated this answer helpful, 0 people rated this answer not helpful
 
Hi all,
I reside in India and I had the same issue with the Canon S1 IS - purple screen and unable to shoot. I took it to the nearest authorized service center and they have offered to replace my camera with a brand new S5 IS !!! The waiting time is somewhere around 4-6 weeks. But the service center guys want their pound of flesh too (since it is a franchise). They just brought up some arcane problem and said that it had to be fixed before being presented for replacement. Costs around $50 equivalent. But, what the heck, don't mind it as long as I get the spanking new 8MP S5 :-)
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Jen Buffum 1 pts
May 5, 2008 11:06 PM
1 people rated this answer helpful, 0 people rated this answer not helpful
 
Hello I live in Vermont USA and I had the same problem. I called Canon and sent it in and they will ship you out a brand new updated canon S5 IS!!! I was NEVER under warrantee! It was on THEM because it is a RECALL!! Call Canon!
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Rah 0 pts
November 3, 2008 3:18 PM
0 people rated this answer helpful, 0 people rated this answer not helpful
 
Had the same problem last week when me and my wife were in Chicago. Only problem was the timing when it went bad. 10 minutes into the architectural boat ride !! i was so mad and couldnt do anything.

Is it a 100% guarantee that everyone who has this problem gets a new camera?
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abdoozy 0 pts
November 4, 2008 2:46 AM
0 people rated this answer helpful, 0 people rated this answer not helpful
 
I just sent my S1-IS in last month for repair for this issue. No, I didn't get a new camera, but the old one is now good as new.
I guess last spring they didn't have the sensors to fix the problem and that's why they were sending out new S5s.. darn my luck.. still, it's great that they step up and fix it, way out of warranty (mine's 4 years old).
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Shelly 0 pts
May 3, 2009 10:21 PM
0 people rated this answer helpful, 0 people rated this answer not helpful
 
Hi,
I am having the same problem as the purple screen and being unable to shoot with my S1-IS. I am wondering if the free repair and shipping is still available (Ben's posting: Jan 16, 2007) because whenever I try to request a repair, it gives me a cost of around $149. Mine is almost 4.5 years old and was performing as good as new before this happened.
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Kevin 0 pts
July 18, 2009 4:57 AM
0 people rated this answer helpful, 0 people rated this answer not helpful
 
I have the same problem ive kept my s1Is in mint condition i set it down on my shelf in working mint condition a few days later i went to use it and i get a blurred image and it cant take proper pictures or video after paying an outrageous price a few years ago for this awesome camera It just dies on me :(. I am not a happy camper im calling canon tommorow and hope they will do the free recall fix for me.
ya Shelly i got the same 149$ Estimate on repair quote i hope i dont have to pay 150$ to fix a recall product
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Kevin 0 pts
July 20, 2009 12:17 PM
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Wish me Luck its in the mail to canon today
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Jerry 0 pts
August 6, 2009 8:18 PM
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I had the same problem as described here. After researching the issue I called Canon and they confirmed the recall. The representative I spoke with said that he was virtually certain that my problem is a sensor failure. He indicated that he's only seen 5 cameras sent in in which the problem was not the sensor. He also confirmed that the sensor replacement is free. Within 24 hours Ireceived the documents to send in the camera. Shipping is free as well.
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Kevin 0 pts
August 7, 2009 5:49 PM
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Got my camera via ups today unfortunetly missed the courrier from ups so picking it up monday free of charge :) took about 15days there and back so happy hope it works
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