Camera repairs in Canberra?

Kim F said :

Similar problem here

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=1325986

Haha – if by similar, you mean identical, then yes, you’re right. I think Ben_Dover is looking for help further afield than the RA.

Similar problem here

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=1325986

Dilandach said :

Ben_Dover said :

Thanks to all who have commented.

Kim F said :

What sort of problems?

I recently bought a 32 gig CF card (topram) for my 5D mk3. I’ve only used SDHC cards before. Putting the CF card in causes the camera to totally fail. No menu, no nothing.

The only way to reboot it is to take the battery out, also the time and date battery, and to leave it for 30 mins plus, before reassembling.

I’d be happy to only use SDHC cards from now on, if that meant it would carry on working as normal. But if anyone could let me know why this may be happening, and what I can do about it, I’d be a happy bunny.

If you haven’t already, format the card in a PC and not the camera. Then try it.

You have to be very careful buying storage media nowadays. I bought a box of Verbatim blank BD-R discs for my Panasonic recorder from Big W like I’ve always done. I thought they looked a bit funny when I put one in the machine – the surface looked a bit yellowish rather than the dark grey BD-Rs usually look. I tried to format it in the machine and a message came up saying that formatting had failed. I looked at the box and it said BD-R LTH Type. I bought another box off the Net making sure they were plain BD-R, not LTH Type (whatever that is). These ones formatted and worked as normal. The message being that you really have to have your wits about you because a fair bit of tweaking goes on and you might be wasting money on discs and cards which are not compatible with your equipment.

Ben_Dover said :

Thanks to all who have commented.

Kim F said :

What sort of problems?

I recently bought a 32 gig CF card (topram) for my 5D mk3. I’ve only used SDHC cards before. Putting the CF card in causes the camera to totally fail. No menu, no nothing.

The only way to reboot it is to take the battery out, also the time and date battery, and to leave it for 30 mins plus, before reassembling.

I’d be happy to only use SDHC cards from now on, if that meant it would carry on working as normal. But if anyone could let me know why this may be happening, and what I can do about it, I’d be a happy bunny.

That’s not a problem with the camera, that’s the card I’d suspect. CF cards are different beasts to SD cards.

You’ll be charged an inspection fee anyway by most repairers, so before going to that trouble, I’d try returning the card and trying a different brand of card to see if it locks up the camera too.

I’m not familiar with Topram, but personally it’d have to a really good deal to convince me not to go with one of the main brands. Sandisk’s top of the line 32GB CF is only $150 imported from the states, even with the current exchange rates (was even better earlier this year). And that includes a comprehensive warranty and data recovery facility. The mark 3 is a top rig and good cards last a very long time.

Dilandach said :

If you haven’t already, format the card in a PC and not the camera. Then try it.

Thanks mate, would try it, but seeing as they offered me full refund, I’ve sent it back.

I’ll buy a better brand card and try that.

Ben_Dover said :

Thanks to all who have commented.

Kim F said :

What sort of problems?

I recently bought a 32 gig CF card (topram) for my 5D mk3. I’ve only used SDHC cards before. Putting the CF card in causes the camera to totally fail. No menu, no nothing.

The only way to reboot it is to take the battery out, also the time and date battery, and to leave it for 30 mins plus, before reassembling.

I’d be happy to only use SDHC cards from now on, if that meant it would carry on working as normal. But if anyone could let me know why this may be happening, and what I can do about it, I’d be a happy bunny.

If you haven’t already, format the card in a PC and not the camera. Then try it.

Thanks to all who have commented.

Kim F said :

What sort of problems?

I recently bought a 32 gig CF card (topram) for my 5D mk3. I’ve only used SDHC cards before. Putting the CF card in causes the camera to totally fail. No menu, no nothing.

The only way to reboot it is to take the battery out, also the time and date battery, and to leave it for 30 mins plus, before reassembling.

I’d be happy to only use SDHC cards from now on, if that meant it would carry on working as normal. But if anyone could let me know why this may be happening, and what I can do about it, I’d be a happy bunny.

Dingoman25 said :

I asked the same question of work colleagues the other day, on behalf of a friend.

Consensus was Ted’s in the city (Petrie Plaza?).

They may do some basic stuff in house, but they like most place now just act as middle men and send it interstate to repairers.

If its a dSLR, best bet is to contact the manufacturer. Canon’s in-house repair centre in Sydney do some fine work… unfortunately.

What sort of problems?

Dingoman25 said :

I asked the same question of work colleagues the other day, on behalf of a friend.

Consensus was Ted’s in the city (Petrie Plaza?).

They’re the only place I can think of too. What model of camera is it? I’m guessing it’s a dSLR given the photos you post – you could also contact the manufacturer directly and see what they might charge for repair work? They might recognise your symptoms and be able to give you a quote on repairs if you’re lucky.