canon 20D shutter button problems?

mmmattmmmatt Registered Users Posts: 1,347 Major grins
edited September 11, 2012 in Cameras
Moderator edit: Sep 10, 2012, Hopefully this is the correct link to the Canon 20D Shutter Button replacement procedure.

*** update as of 7-6-2011 *** Here is the current location of the pdf file.




This is just an fyi for those out there using Canon 20D's. I just bought one as a backup to my 5d off ebay and it had a shutter button issue.

I researched it on the net, and didn't find much on it here, but it seemed like a common enough problem that I should mention it here.

The button wasn't as sensitive as it should be. It would sometimes require a firm push and sometimes fire normally, but most of the time, the button would bottom out before it would fire. For someone, like myself, who shoots a lot of low-light stuff (concerts and weddings) the button not performing with "hair trigger" sensitivity causes an otherwise steady hand to blur an image. There have also been malfunctions reported that cause the AF lock to flutter which will screw up those who shoot by focusing and recomposing.

Anyhow, there is a fix and it is fairly easy if you have basic soldering skills and a reasonably steady hand. There is a tutorial available with pictures and full, idiot proof, instructions here: http://dougkerr.net/Pumpkin/articles...er_Release.pdf

I spent less than an hour doing this, and I spent $3 + shipping for the part from Canon. Now it is like new!!!!

It is my understanding that this problem is consistant with 10D, and 30D's as well and the fix is nearly the same.

In my case, I bought a "mint" 20D (unknown actuations) from an ebay seller for $371 shipped. He misplaced the included AC adaptor for it and I told him I would rather have a credit. He offered $30. I then noticed the shutter button issue and he wanted me to send it to his repair shop to fix. After a week he called and told me he just wanted to give me back my money and that his guy didn't think it was worth fixing. I told him if he gave me back $100 I would take the chance and he agreed.

After all was said and done I got the camera for under $250 including all the shipping and the part from canon!

So moral is, don't feel like you have to live with a problematic shutter button and don't junk a body or sell it for parts if this is all that is wrong with it. Worse case, sell it to me cheap and I'll resell it on ebay :wink

Ohhh... also, don't blame me if you try this and trash your camera! YMMV

Matt
My Smugmug site

Bodies: Canon 5d mkII, 5d, 40d
Lenses: 24-70 f2.8L, 70-200 f4.0L, 135 f2L, 85 f1.8, 50 1.8, 100 f2.8 macro, Tamron 28-105 f2.8
Flash: 2x 580 exII, Canon ST-E2, 2x Pocket Wizard flexTT5, and some lower end studio strobes

Comments

  • ziggy53ziggy53 Super Moderators Posts: 24,118 moderator
    edited October 6, 2008
    Matt,

    Thanks for the information and helpful suggestions. Congratulations on your 20D. clap.gif
    ziggy53
    Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
  • Tee WhyTee Why Registered Users Posts: 2,390 Major grins
    edited October 7, 2008
    Had the same problem with my 30D and got it repaired under warranty by Canon. The shutter release button plunger sticking is what the tech called it IIRC.
  • mmmattmmmatt Registered Users Posts: 1,347 Major grins
    edited October 7, 2008
    I'm sure many have had this issue and maybe some aren't even aware of it. Like the guy I bought this body from. His pro repair guy didn't even figure it out until I was very specific about it!

    I also fixed the hotshoe mount on my st-e2 last night after I did the 20d. That was even easier. No soldering, but the insides were like a Chinese puzzle... Yesterday was quite the DIY day for me!

    Matt
    My Smugmug site

    Bodies: Canon 5d mkII, 5d, 40d
    Lenses: 24-70 f2.8L, 70-200 f4.0L, 135 f2L, 85 f1.8, 50 1.8, 100 f2.8 macro, Tamron 28-105 f2.8
    Flash: 2x 580 exII, Canon ST-E2, 2x Pocket Wizard flexTT5, and some lower end studio strobes
  • mmmattmmmatt Registered Users Posts: 1,347 Major grins
    edited December 23, 2010
    My Smugmug site

    Bodies: Canon 5d mkII, 5d, 40d
    Lenses: 24-70 f2.8L, 70-200 f4.0L, 135 f2L, 85 f1.8, 50 1.8, 100 f2.8 macro, Tamron 28-105 f2.8
    Flash: 2x 580 exII, Canon ST-E2, 2x Pocket Wizard flexTT5, and some lower end studio strobes
  • ThatCanonGuyThatCanonGuy Registered Users Posts: 1,778 Major grins
    edited December 23, 2010
    I know of a certain 10D that has that... good thing it's fixable. Congrats--but I think you paid too much in the first place... used 20Ds can go for under $250, depending on the condition... right now, Adorama has one in condition V (the same condition I got my 1DII in, it's better than it sounds) for $225. Good job with the fixes!
  • mmmattmmmatt Registered Users Posts: 1,347 Major grins
    edited December 24, 2010
    I know of a certain 10D that has that... good thing it's fixable. Congrats--but I think you paid too much in the first place... used 20Ds can go for under $250, depending on the condition... right now, Adorama has one in condition V (the same condition I got my 1DII in, it's better than it sounds) for $225. Good job with the fixes!
    This is an old thread boss... back in the day that was a pretty solid deal.

    Matt
    My Smugmug site

    Bodies: Canon 5d mkII, 5d, 40d
    Lenses: 24-70 f2.8L, 70-200 f4.0L, 135 f2L, 85 f1.8, 50 1.8, 100 f2.8 macro, Tamron 28-105 f2.8
    Flash: 2x 580 exII, Canon ST-E2, 2x Pocket Wizard flexTT5, and some lower end studio strobes
  • ThatCanonGuyThatCanonGuy Registered Users Posts: 1,778 Major grins
    edited December 24, 2010
    Didn't even notice rolleyes1.gif
  • mmmattmmmatt Registered Users Posts: 1,347 Major grins
    edited July 6, 2011
    Here is the new location for the instructions 20d shutter fix pdf and all links above have been replaced with the new one as well.
    My Smugmug site

    Bodies: Canon 5d mkII, 5d, 40d
    Lenses: 24-70 f2.8L, 70-200 f4.0L, 135 f2L, 85 f1.8, 50 1.8, 100 f2.8 macro, Tamron 28-105 f2.8
    Flash: 2x 580 exII, Canon ST-E2, 2x Pocket Wizard flexTT5, and some lower end studio strobes
  • Brett1000Brett1000 Registered Users Posts: 819 Major grins
    edited July 8, 2011
    mmmatt wrote: »
    This is an old thread boss... back in the day that was a pretty solid deal.

    mwink.gif
  • JudybJudyb Registered Users Posts: 1 Beginner grinner
    edited September 10, 2012
    pdf link
    Hello
    I just checked your link for the shutter button fix pdf file & it isn't good.
    Do you have another link?

    The shutter button on my 20D doesn't work & local, Canon authorized repair shop wants over $200- to fix it.

    What do non-working 20Ds go for?

    Thanx for info, Judy
  • ziggy53ziggy53 Super Moderators Posts: 24,118 moderator
    edited September 10, 2012
    Judyb wrote: »
    Hello
    I just checked your link for the shutter button fix pdf file & it isn't good.
    Do you have another link?

    The shutter button on my 20D doesn't work & local, Canon authorized repair shop wants over $200- to fix it.

    What do non-working 20Ds go for?

    Thanx for info, Judy

    Hopefully you'll find the PDF file here:

    http://dougkerr.net/Pumpkin/articles/20D_Shutter_Release.pdf

    As for the value of a "non-working 20D", I'm afraid that those are not in demand. You might try selling on EBay, but advertise it as a "parts only, broken shutter button", in order to properly identify the body.


    Depending upon what is wrong with your shutter button, if it simply does not work and otherwise does not interfere with the camera operations, you might consider a third-party "Remote Shutter Release Cable" as a work-around and low cost solution. You would have to rig some sort of suitable physical attachment to the body in order to make a satisfactory solution, but it would be cheaper than a repair bill.

    I have never used it but something like this might work:
    ziggy53
    Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
  • mmmattmmmatt Registered Users Posts: 1,347 Major grins
    edited September 11, 2012
    Thanks Ziggy.
    My Smugmug site

    Bodies: Canon 5d mkII, 5d, 40d
    Lenses: 24-70 f2.8L, 70-200 f4.0L, 135 f2L, 85 f1.8, 50 1.8, 100 f2.8 macro, Tamron 28-105 f2.8
    Flash: 2x 580 exII, Canon ST-E2, 2x Pocket Wizard flexTT5, and some lower end studio strobes
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