Help Needed: Canon EOS 1V Turns Off When Taking a Picture

Hello everyone,

I'm seeking some advice regarding an issue I'm experiencing with my Canon EOS 1V camera.

The problem I'm encountering is that whenever I press the button to take a picture, the camera abruptly turns off. I've attempted various solutions, including trying different batteries and even using a power booster, but unfortunately, the problem persists.

At this point, I'm at a loss as to what could be causing this issue and how to resolve it. Additionally, I'm unsure about how to open the camera to investigate further.

If anyone has encountered a similar problem or has any suggestions on how to troubleshoot and potentially fix this issue, I would greatly appreciate your input. Any guidance on how to safely open the camera for inspection would also be incredibly helpful.

Thank you in advance for your assistance!

Best regards,

Stefano

Welcome to Photrio, @stefistef!

Sorry to hear about the problems with your 1V. It sounds like a power-related problem; I would have suggested trying different batteries if you hadn't already tried this. Other possible suspects could be the 'power' electronics associated with the mirror and shutter subsystems, including any DC-DC converters. The problem may be as simple as a faulty capacitor somewhere, although the 1V isn't particularly known for this kind of defect.

In any case, have you acquired a service manual yet? It seems there is one available here: https://learncamerarepair.com/product.php?product=223 I'd recommend trying to get some documentation; going in there and blindly poking around is unlikely to be successful. These cameras are really, really complex.

Mine does this with one specific lens, the 24-70mm f/2.8L. Other lenses are fine. When I mounted another copy of the problematic lens, it worked fine. So I concluded that the lens is defective.

I'm afraid that even if you open the camera, regarding electronics you won't see much except flexible circuit boards, ICs and some individual electronic components.

You can only check if a connection has come loose or a cable has come off. You definitely need software for diagnosis, which only Canon has, if it still has it.

You're pretty helpless in front of these high-end electronic cameras.

Unfortunately.

Someone in the EU might still be servicing the 1V, rumor has it that Canon Japan will work on a 1V, have not confirmed it.

Andreas Thaler said:

You definitely need software for diagnosis

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It would make things a whole lot easier and quicker, but with a service manual, a multimeter and a scope you could probably eliminate a few things.

koraks said:

It would make things a whole lot easier and quicker, but with a service manual, a multimeter and a scope you could probably eliminate a few things.

Click to expand...

If the Nikon F4 from 1988 can only be set to AF and exposure metering using the factory software, I see little chance of determining anything by conventional measurement on this 2000 model.

Perhaps a short circuit, the power supply, but otherwise. And even if you find the defect, what then?

Not least for these reasons, I had parted with my 1V-HS. No possibility of repair.

It was not easy for me to.

But if someone does manage it, we should be able to read about it here

Thank you so much for all the advice. I wasn't expecting such a wonderful community. Chances are slim, but I'll keep you informed of the outcome of the different solutions.

stefistef said:

Thank you so much for all the advice. I wasn't expecting such a wonderful community. Chances are slim, but I'll keep you informed of the outcome of the different solutions.

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I'm just looking around to see what the situation is with regard to service. It seems that Canon hasn't done anything for a while, so the only option is to contact the big repair shops. You could contact two or three of them.

In the meantime, I'll take a look at the repair manual.

Andreas Thaler said:

I'm just looking around to see what the situation is with regard to service. It seems that Canon hasn't done anything for a while, so the only option is to contact the big repair shops. You could contact two or three of them.

In the meantime, I'll take a look at the repair manual.

Click to expand...

For Europe I would refer to

The service manual describes, among other things, the settings for the camera using Canon software.

Then there are exploded drawings with the components, a circuit diagram and the layout of the electronics.

In my opinion, there is no sensible starting point for DIY here.

It doesn't sound encouraging, but with these cameras I would buy one or two more as a backup. The 1V is designed for professional use and should otherwise last just fine.