Today my only 1-year-old EOS 50D suddenly showed on the screen, right after switching it on, that there`s a problem with the sensor-cleaning.

The Error-code is:

ERR 06 - Malfunction whilst cleaning the sensor / contact Canon Service Center (translated from German).

What on earth is that all about?

Regards,

Herr der Fliegen

Do what it says :)
You'll never see a detailt fault reason as a customer, the errcode is just for technicians -
They put on a diagnostic tool like with a car and this will say what exactly is the problem and
which part has to be changed. But I think you've still warranty and Canon service is quick, a friend has his 40D back in just one week

Dear Sven,

I`m worried though. The sensor is in the middle of the camera, to get there would mean to dismantle the whole thing.

I bought the camera in Munich and live about 750 kilometres from there.

This shouldn`t happen to a camera after only 1 year. I own a Canon T-70 and it hasn`t had the slightest problem since 1987.

Those are all reasons I should worry.

Regards

That it's sensor related does not mean it's the sensor itself - f.e. it could be a little unit who's managing the cleaning function -
distance doesn't matter, all cams go to the direct support center you can send it directly to them.

Sure such things are always bad and disappointing, but they can happen with all vendors, But better within than outside your warranty time, think that way!

I suppose you`re right. If all cameras go to one place it`s alright. I just hope the technicians are better than what one reads on the internet.

For eg.: Cameras that were sent in for sensor-cleaning and ame back with fingerprints on the mirror

or

Cameras sent in and given back with loads of dust on the sensor

I'm sure this happens very rarely! I had also big problems with a Sony Vaio and they needed 2 times to finally repair it, also would never have expected such sh... from Sony - But regarding those people, think about that the happy customers mostly don't write anything, but the few very pissed ones write much more!

Good luck and a fast repair, give them a chance!

maybe I'm luck but I never had bad experiences with the canon service... last time they even fixed my beloved 70-200 2.8L IS USM within 2 days for free, though I bought it 3 years ago eg. no guarantee! ( focus ring broken after lens dropped into the floor). I was very happy :)
good luck, mauro

Herr,

Maybe, as Sven said, it happens rarely. You've just been unlucky. I have a 30months-old Olympus E-3 that also has "sensor cleaning" and have never had an issue with it. Still works beautifully and my images are dust-free!

Take your camera in for service - they'll fix it under the Warranty.

Good luck.

Colmar

Thank for the answers, Mauro and Colmar.

I appreciate it.

I got my camera back from Canon Germany today and I am quite dissapointed.

The camera`s screws are visibly not "black" anymore and shining metal peeks through. The leather-imitation at the back wasn`t glued properly and peeled off slightly. The guy who repaired it scratched the back at the display a little and a tiny part of the magnesium-alloy peeks through.

I know... I am fuzzy about this but then again, it`s a month`s wage for the average worker in most countries, if not more money one pays for the EOS 50 D. One should expect that Canon handles cameras more professionally. I`ve once read that a good repair can be noticed by the technician putting the screws back on in such a way that the owner does not notice that the camera has been repaired, also I bought the camera that way.

I am really dissapointed at such customer service and this will be my last canon, I`m unfortunate to say. Not again am I going to buy a digital camera that breaks within a year, has two (yes... two) circuit-boards changed and comes from repair looking kind of older than before.

No thanks!

Uh that really is much of bad luck for you :/
You should take pictures of the faults and write it to Canon, I think the responsable QA would be like to know of such cases (and they can point it to the bad technician) - Perhaps they would excuse and give you something for excuse?

Hi Sven,

if they would give me something as an excuse (a year`s supply of Snickers would be nice), I think I could live happily with that, yes!

;-)

But all jokes beside, I find it utterly dissapointing of Canon Germany (not some repair-shop working for Canon but themselves) to treat their own producte in such a way.

Next camera will be Olympus or Nikon. Maybe they`ll learn if people are not buying their products anymore.

Regards

I think I'd act the same, I'm happy with both of my Canon bodys and so the lenses and hope it will stay like this -
But I had the same case with Sony Vaio, bought a laptop which is more expensive than others cause I wanted quality and service and
what happened after just one month the harddrive died - 2 weeks of repair, then it came back with a fan loud as hell - again some angry
phone calls and another week for repairing. And I got not anything, not even an excuse.
Sony has lost all of my respect due that catastrophe so I know how you feel :)

Sven,

now that you mentioned Sony, I´d like to tell you that I only bought three of their products in the 80s (all three Walkmen). All of these products broke within a year. Never again am I going to buy any Sony product, I cann only fully agree with your experience. And yes, a Vaio is damn expenisve. One would think that such an expensive article comes back as new, not with a fan as loud as a mixer.

Thanks for the reply, I contacted Canon today and told them I will not except the Camera in the way it came back. Canon told me the technician would call me and find a solution. Let´s see.

Regards

I had the exact same problem, lucky me I was in warranty and Canon fixed it. I stil don't know what was all that about. I had to send my camera to California for repairs and they were very prompt.

I had also bad experience with Canon service, with the same camera. they fixed my sensor, but spoiled my popup flash. the camera was brand new.

Thats a pity that you experienced such. I am sorry to hear that. But you should complain this to canon. Surely such can happen equal to the brand you use. Some of the service centers are good and some not but this needs to be pointed out to canon. Each time when i take my nikon for inspection and cleaning i get a spare model to do my photography and i really never faced such trouble with the service centers.

At the end i hope all will turn out fine for you !

Robert