C300: C300 MK1 monitor flex cabled failed AGAIN! (After Canon UK repair) Help please!

[analog_addict]

So in 2019 the flex cable on my C300 mk1 monitor stopped working and I forked out £300 for the repair. I always thought the repair looked poor, especially the new jack and cover.

Fast forward to today and the exact problem has happened again on the same flex cable at the jack end. Nothing has snagged or damaged it, simply a really crap connection that is stupidly hard-wired into the monitor.

I still have all my receipts from the original Canon repair and I'm going to see if they will fix it again for free. I can't stomach paying another £300 on a cheap, old camera during a time where work/money is hard to come by.

Has anyone had this repair done elsewhere such as CVP and what did it cost? Has anyone ever managed to repair this themselves?

I believe it is a broken connection inside the jack end from the cover allowing it to easily bend. I'm fairly handy with a soldering iron.......

Any help is appreciated!

 

[NorBro]

One of the worst designs in the history of cameras...hope you get it sorted out [for free].

 

[analog_addict]

One of the worst designs in the history of cameras...hope you get it sorted out [for free].

Indeed. I'm so frustrated as I've been so painfully careful after the initial repair. I never packed the camera away with the jacks plugged in and made 100% sure they never snagged on anything.

I used the camera a couple of days ago, static on sticks for a podcast and today the flex cable has failed for seemingly no reason.

I'll try to contact Canon repair via phone and see what they say although since the original repair was done it 2019, I bet they won't fix it.

 

[NorBro]

It would probably cost the same as a used Video Assist, but I know that doesn't solve the XLR part (maybe could use 3.5mm).

 

[indiawilds]

Unfortunately this is a known problem in the original C300. I had this problem twice. First time while on a run n gun shoot, I had put it in a back pack and the cable failed due to pressure on it. Second time it failed for no reason and that too in the middle of a shoot. Both the times, I had to pay a hefty fee and ofcourse loss of shooting day. Let us know if you are able to do some soldering and if it works.

 

[analog_addict]

I've had to use my Atomos Shinobi and the 3.5mm jack for audio in the meantime and it's nowhere near as good as the proper monitor unit. No punch-in focus etc.

Canon wanted £470 to repair this cable luckily I just paid £7 postage to get the unit back. Monitor/XLR units pop up on Ebay for approx. £300 so I'll just buy another full unit. I paid £900 for the camera so.....

In the meantime I've stripped the cable and found the two wires that need to be soldered back. The issue is I can't figure out how to dismantle the jack in order to access the ends to solder to.

I think there may be a small grub screw under some extremely hard epoxy but I can't say for sure.

 

[NorBro]

The Shinobi does allow you to punch-in to check focus...or are you just saying you don't like it?

 

[analog_addict]

The Shinobi does allow you to punch-in to check focus...or are you just saying you don't like it?

I meant the C300 punch-in functionality via the joystick. It doesn't show via HDMI and I predominately use the camera shoulder mounted, documentary style so it's quite crucial for me.

Anyway I ended up purchasing another monitor/xlr unit off Ebay for £190 delivered. Much cheaper than the repair quote for the current unit.