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General discussion

Canon S2 IS Shutter problem (blank viewfinder and LCD)

by drey525 Jan 14, 2007 1:11AM PST

I have had my S2 IS for about a year and a half. While taking pictures of my kids at the park the viewfinder went blank. I thought I must have just hit the Display button which made it go to the viewfinder mode. No such luck both were blank. Everything on the camera seems to work except the shutter seems stuck shut. I have tried new batteries (even though batteries were new and light was not on) I have read the entire manual including troubleshooting. On a forum on another website this problem is mentioned without a solution. Can anyone help. I guess Canon will fix this (and any other problem) for $127.00 but they reserve the right to send a refurbished. I am just deciding if I should fix or are electronics so crappy now that it is not worth it because of age and use?

Discussion is locked

31 - 60 of 102 Posts
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no !!! almost 2 years latter something has to be done help!
by beagle6 Nov 30, 2008 2:16PM PST

please read number sixty on here thank you

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What happen help me
by beagle6 Nov 30, 2008 1:52PM PST

read my post on here don't let canon get away with this it is number 60 thanks tami

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More tests...
by Papa Echo Jun 19, 2007 5:30PM PDT

On review mode, do the viewfinder and LCD come on ? Back to record mode -
Use different picture/exposure modes... all the same result- blanks ?
Go to manual focus mode - turn the lens - try taking a photo...

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Free Repair by Canon
by vkp7 Oct 5, 2007 7:55AM PDT

hi everyone,

I had the same problem too. LCD goes blank ( CCD/Sensor Defect ) . I requested Canon for an inspection and requested for a free service. Guess what.. ?? they've obliged !
so i encourage everyone one of you proud owners of this sexy S2 IS camera to send in the Camera to the Factory Service with the detailed explanation of the problem ( use technical terms ).

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Canon S2 IS
by snapshot2 Forum moderator Oct 5, 2007 8:30AM PDT

Did you try to look at some photos that were previously taken?
Does the LCD display those?
Does the LCD display your menus?

If the LCD is alive (it does display something), your problem could be a defective CCD sensor.
The S1 IS had a problem with bad CCD sensors.

Several people have reported bad CCD sensors with the S2 IS.

If that is your problem......read this:

http://forums.cnet.com/5208-7593_102-0.html?forumID=58&threadID=241840&messageID=2469246#2469246

...........

If your LCD display will not display anything....it is likely the LCD or its connections are defective.

...
..
.

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Don't Panic - Free Courtesy Repair by Canon on S2 IS CCD
by vkp7 Oct 8, 2007 4:26AM PDT

Hey Everyone,

First of All, please Don't Panic. The CCD ( sensor ) defect / Black screen of death problem is on the rise. Its becoming a common issue with the S2 IS owners. Send in the Camera with this completed form ( http://consumer.usa.canon.com/app/pdf/dealer/FSC.pdf )

Mailing Address
CANON FACTORY SERVICE CENTER
1440 CHASE AVENUE
Elk Grove Village, IL 60007
(630) 250-6500

Briefly explain the situation and request for a courtesy repair. Good news is that Canon is repairing the Problem at ZERO Charge.
I'm certain that in the next few months Canon would issue an Advisory for a product recall as in the case of S1 IS.

S2 IS is a beautiful camera and Canon's customer service is fabulous. Hence please don't spread negative stories about Canon.

Regards,

Varun
A Proud S2 IS owner

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Canon S2 IS Blank display.
by Lrry O Oct 13, 2007 6:35AM PDT

Hello Varun,
I did just like you said. Filled out form sent camera and form to
factory service center in Il. Explained problem with blank display.
Received letter today from service center, they want $127. to repair.
No offer to fix for free. They still are in denial.
Hard not to bad mouth Canon went this problem has been going on for so long.
I wonder went this is going to happen to the S3 and the S5?

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Contest it
by vkp7 Nov 7, 2007 8:16AM PST

Call the Customer Service and Talk to them and contest it in detail.

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Contest it
by Lrry O Nov 7, 2007 12:43PM PST

I did and they offered to fix it for $75.00. But would not fix
for free.I had the camera returned unfixed.They paid the shipping.
I got rid of the camera and now have a Fuji which I am very happy
with.I will never look at a canon again.I highly recommend the Fuji
cameras.The S6000 makes the canon look like a toy,when put side by side.
About the same price.The S700 works great for me.
Good luck to anyone working with canon.

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I know your done but please help the rest of us
by beagle6 Nov 30, 2008 1:34PM PST

please just read my post same as yours #60 thanks

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It does not help
by beagle6 Nov 30, 2008 1:36PM PST

my # post 60 please help

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One year later STILL having problems NO thanks to canon
by beagle6 Nov 30, 2008 12:41PM PST

This was my first post and their are many more before me and their will be many more after me if we don't do more to stop them. Read my post in this forum #60...I need your help unless everyone sends the bbb acomplant at the same time the man at canon (his name is MJ) told me that they check this forum and all the post came from the same person and they did not know of any problem I already sent my compliant to BBB it will keep happening if we don,t help each other please it will only take a couple of mins....Better Business bureau norfolk.vbb@bureaudata.com this is the one you contact because the company is near there thank you for any help you may have

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yes I know
by beagle6 Nov 30, 2008 1:39PM PST

but canon wont help we need your help contact BBB read my post 60#

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I don't think it's the CCD problem! Shutter?
by Vous Nouvo Oct 14, 2007 11:24AM PDT

As I dismentle the optical unit, I find some sticky liquid make the shutter fail to open.

Does anyone have a distorted purple image like A60, A70 or just black screen due to the shutter not open?

Can it be a factory problem?

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Could be shutter...
by itzcryptic Oct 21, 2007 12:25PM PDT

I agree that it could be the shutter. I actually had thought the same thing, because a few times when I turned it on, I would get an image, but it would be very jerky, as if I were in low light conditions.

I have not exposed my camera to any elements, so any shutter problems are 100% manufacturer defect, and I refuse to pay $127 for their mistakes!

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My Canon S2 IS failed too
by itzcryptic Oct 21, 2007 12:16PM PDT

Canon has refused to repair my S2 IS, even though it is clear that it is a widespread problem. I am sending one more plea for them to fix it at no cost before I abandon Canon completely. It's a shame too, since it took such good pictures. But, what good is a camera that has such a large probability of failing at any point in time, with no recourse thru the manufacturer? None!

Canon makes a fine camera, but their lack of customer support leaves me disgusted! Hopefully they will come to their senses before losing a customer for life!

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More S2 IS problems.
by itzcryptic Oct 30, 2007 2:58PM PDT

I'm unhappy to report that after begging and pleading Canon has still refused to service my defective Powershot S2 IS and will be returning it still unusable.

Now looking into buying a Pentax camera who also had a defective product taht was sold to me, but issued a recall and actually fixed their products.

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One More Thing To Try
by snapshot2 Forum moderator Oct 30, 2007 11:36PM PDT

Before you give up......leave them with a parting gift.

File a written report with the Better Business Bureau (BBB).

Then they will have to address the problem with the BBB.

...
..
.

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Good idea!
by itzcryptic Oct 31, 2007 2:33AM PDT

Everyone that has been denied a repair by Canon should do this please. They can't ignore 100s of reports with the better business bureau!

www.bbb.org

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Reply to good idea.
by Lrry O Oct 31, 2007 2:58AM PDT

I wish you well if you want to stay with Canon.
I am finished with Canon, bought Fuji S700 a
far better camera,it works. I am telling every one I know
to buy a Fuji. They also have the S7000 better yet.

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File a report anyway
by itzcryptic Oct 31, 2007 4:08AM PDT

File a report with the BBB anyway to help others, like me, that are having this problem that can't afford to buy a new camera every year.

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Mine is down too!
by ravnhaus Nov 23, 2007 7:51AM PST

Mine did the same thing today. Guess I join a long line of out of luck consumers.

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read my post # 60
by beagle6 Nov 30, 2008 1:14PM PST

I am tring to let all the people on this forum

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I NEED HELP **URGENT**
by Patch_the_doctor Nov 25, 2007 7:59AM PST

Please go to my threads and help me find a camera that fits my description. I need one by CHRISTMAS!!


-K. Daniels

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HI what happen with your canon
by beagle6 Nov 30, 2008 1:16PM PST

read my forum on #60 we must stick together

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Answer fix blank screen viewer canon s2 is
by petenet Jan 3, 2008 6:45AM PST

mime went blank after leaving batteries out for a few days.
could not view saved pictures either
I down loaded all pictures to PC
formatted SD card
removed AA Batteries
then removed small button battery under small cover marked CR1220
in battery compartment
put it all bck togrther
after setting time viewer came back to life
PHEW
hope this helps a few people

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Canon S2 IS
by chernew Feb 23, 2008 5:53AM PST

I had this exact problem, and Canon refused to repair free of charge. I then did additional research and found a self-fix. I didn't think it wuold work, but i tried it, and my camera is now functioning perfectly. Open the battery case and close it again over and over, forcing the camera to turn off and on. Do this until you are able to use your view finder again. I had to do this about a dozen times, twice (the first time the problem reoccured after the 2nd picture, but after **** the battery trick a 2nd time, it seems to have fixed the problem.

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S2 IS blank LCD -- FIXED
by daleoides Mar 9, 2008 12:55AM PST

Thanks, chernew. I had the same problem as everyone else in this thread with my S2 IS. After reading chernew's post, I remembered monkeying with the camera last week when the problem originally happened and getting it to work again. Used chernew's technique again today and the camera is fully functional -- for now (I opened the battery hatch while the unit was on in picture mode). I'm still going to pursue repair/replacement from Canon, but only if it's free (bought 5/2006 so no warranty coverage). Canon MUST be aware of this problem by now and they should step up. Thanks again, chernew, for the reminder.

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My S2 IS just developed the same problem
by Talleyrand Mar 18, 2008 4:21AM PDT

Same problem. The LCD is black, but all the menu's come up and I can view previously taken pictures on the LCD. If I cycle the power 15-20 times the camera will finally work. If I turn it off, I have to cycle the power 15-20 times again to get the camera to work.

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It work Thanks for the great idea.
by bsguieb Apr 14, 2008 2:18PM PDT

I tried to open the battery case then close it and it work like a charm. I will still keep this camera until they will issue a FREE REPAIR ON THIS CAMERA.

We should unite and send them a letter with all our signature for petition to do a free repair for the CCD issue.

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