A70 Problem, PLEASE HELP!!!

Hi all, I have a problem with my Canon A70 and was hoping I could find some help or information of any sort to help me resolve it. I bought this camera about a year and a half ago and have not used it in a year. I had boxed it up and forgotten where I had put it and just rediscovered it the other day.

The problem occured the other day when I was taking some photos at a nearby park. Out of the blue the screen started flickering with lines running through it, and after a few seconds of this, it eventually went to purple and black horizontal lines. Photos show these lines. If I switch to view mode to see previous photos, I can see them clearly. Only the photos taken when the lines were present actually show them. I tapped the camera and it went back to normal. I hoped that it would be a one time issue and go away for good. I could not be that lucky, and so it returned today. Both times all it took was a tap on the camera to go back to normal. Even squeezing the camera in various places can cause the problem to reoccur I have noticed, and it is just as easily tapped or squeezed to make it go away.

What could be causing this? Should I take the camera apart and try to see? I am capable of such things, but I would just like to know if anyone might know what I should look for, as obviously something is loose in there, I just need to find out what.

Obviously since it has been a year the warranty has run out, so getting any help from Canon without paying out the nose is not an option.

I have included a photo of what the screen and my pictures look like when experiencing this problem.

Thanks,
John-Paul

Hi John,

I just had a very similar problem with my EOS D30, I took a fall on my bike and landed on the camera, which was thankfully in a good bag. Anyway about half to 1/3 of my images were coming out with a solarized/posterized look. So me and a photog friend of mine cracked the camera open to find several loose ribbons, including the primary DOS ribbon. So we just reset them and it seems ok now. At first a slight rap on the palm of my hand i'd reset it, but I got steadly worse. Now I DO NOT recomend that you try this yourself, but a certified canon repair shop sould be able to take care of a problem like this pretty cheaply. Now I am not saying that is your problem, but if so consider yourself luck....;)

Good luck buddy,

almo

John Paul-
I agree with Almo. Sounds like a loose cable to me. If you tapped it and it got better, that's a pretty sure indicator that something inside the camera is loose. Since it's the warranty has expired, opening it up is probably fine. Just be aware that you're making a commitment that might result in you needing to buy a new camera. If you're leaning that way already, might as well give it a shot.

Just to ake sure, I assume you've removed and replaced the batteries and reformatted the memory card? Those are the first two things to try when you have a problem with a digital camera. From your description, I don't they'll help your camera. But you should at least try and eliminate those actions.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Photo-John

John Paul-
I agree with Almo. Sounds like a loose cable to me. If you tapped it and it got better, that's a pretty sure indicator that something inside the camera is loose. Since it's the warranty has expired, opening it up is probably fine. Just be aware that you're making a commitment that might result in you needing to buy a new camera. If you're leaning that way already, might as well give it a shot.

Just to ake sure, I assume you've removed and replaced the batteries and reformatted the memory card? Those are the first two things to try when you have a problem with a digital camera. From your description, I don't they'll help your camera. But you should at least try and eliminate those actions.

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If you are gunna go the same route as I did and bust 'er open then I would strongly suggest that you have a second pair of hands and eyes.

good luck,

almo