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GibbyTheMole · 01-07-2012, 04:36 PM

Hey there.

After exclusively using my Pentax DSLRs for a year I decided my old Canon A85 P&S might come in handy once in awhile, so I fired it up and the camera isn't working right. The camera itself powers on fine & the menu functions and playback from the card are ok, but when in camera mode, the LCD preview is just a horizontal smear and it only takes a blank photo.

It worked fine when I pulled the batteries & put it away a year ago. It's been away from magnetic or electrical fields & has been at room temperature safely tucked away in it's case all this time. It never saw a lot of use, either.

Is it toast or is there something I can try to bring it back? I kinda hate to toss it. It was pretty nice little P&S in it's day.

Cheers,
Bobbo.

mtansley · 01-07-2012, 05:52 PM

Have a look on the Canon site and see if there is still a program to repair old cameras like yours.

I have an old A70 and a few years ago I found that it had failed due to the sensor. Much to my surprise, Canon still had an out-of-warranty program that replaced the sensor free of charge (I had to pay one way shipping) since there were a number of Sony sensors (I think it was Sony) that were sub-par and developed an error years later.

I don't know if that program still exists but it can't hurt to have a look.

wlachan · 01-07-2012, 06:06 PM

My A60 died after idling for months. Guess they engineered them well.

Raffwal · 01-08-2012, 02:08 AM

You mean this? I think this is the same problem for which I had my Sony mini-DV videocamera repaired after years. Widespread CCD problems in consumer imaging products

mtansley · 01-08-2012, 03:12 AM

Yes, that's the problem. The free fix program may have ended by now though.

GibbyTheMole · 01-08-2012, 06:41 AM

Thanks for the info, Raffwal... Now at least I have some contact info, etc.

Cheers,
Bobbo :-)

GibbyTheMole · 01-09-2012, 06:02 PM

Ha... as it turns out, the free fix program ended one week ago, They did offer to let me send in my old camera + $100 for a refurbished SD-1300. I can get a new one for $118. So um... no.

Always a day late & a dollar short... LOL.

Last edited by GibbyTheMole; 01-10-2012 at 05:13 AM.

01-07-2012, 04:36 PM	#1
GibbyTheMole Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Iowa Photos: Albums Posts: 2,275	Canon Powershot A85 point & shoot: Is it toast? Hey there. After exclusively using my Pentax DSLRs for a year I decided my old Canon A85 P&S might come in handy once in awhile, so I fired it up and the camera isn't working right. The camera itself powers on fine & the menu functions and playback from the card are ok, but when in camera mode, the LCD preview is just a horizontal smear and it only takes a blank photo. It worked fine when I pulled the batteries & put it away a year ago. It's been away from magnetic or electrical fields & has been at room temperature safely tucked away in it's case all this time. It never saw a lot of use, either. Is it toast or is there something I can try to bring it back? I kinda hate to toss it. It was pretty nice little P&S in it's day. Cheers, Bobbo.

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01-07-2012, 05:52 PM	#2
mtansley Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Ajax, Ontario, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,139	Have a look on the Canon site and see if there is still a program to repair old cameras like yours. I have an old A70 and a few years ago I found that it had failed due to the sensor. Much to my surprise, Canon still had an out-of-warranty program that replaced the sensor free of charge (I had to pay one way shipping) since there were a number of Sony sensors (I think it was Sony) that were sub-par and developed an error years later. I don't know if that program still exists but it can't hurt to have a look.

01-07-2012, 06:06 PM	#3
wlachan Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Canada Photos: Albums Posts: 2,625	My A60 died after idling for months. Guess they engineered them well.

01-08-2012, 02:08 AM	#4
Raffwal Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: The North Posts: 879	You mean this? I think this is the same problem for which I had my Sony mini-DV videocamera repaired after years. Widespread CCD problems in consumer imaging products

01-08-2012, 03:12 AM	#5
mtansley Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Ajax, Ontario, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,139	Yes, that's the problem. The free fix program may have ended by now though.

01-08-2012, 06:41 AM	#6
GibbyTheMole Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Iowa Photos: Albums Posts: 2,275 Original Poster	Thanks for the info, Raffwal... Now at least I have some contact info, etc. Cheers, Bobbo :-)

01-09-2012, 06:02 PM	#7
GibbyTheMole Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Iowa Photos: Albums Posts: 2,275 Original Poster	Ha... as it turns out, the free fix program ended one week ago, They did offer to let me send in my old camera + $100 for a refurbished SD-1300. I can get a new one for $118. So um... no. Always a day late & a dollar short... LOL. Last edited by GibbyTheMole; 01-10-2012 at 05:13 AM.

Canon Powershot A85 point & shoot: Is it toast?

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