C100: User report about a cracked C100 housing (!)

Spartacus

Spartacus

Veteran
In another forum, a C100 user reports about a crack in the top part of the camera, close to the hot shoe. Since that forum seems to be pretty small, without much traffic, I hope it is OK to link to it here (if not, moderators please suggest a way to still talk about this...):

http://www.cinemaeosuser.net/index.php?/topic/297-crack-on-c100/

Here´s a screenshot, for documentation purpose:

Screen shot 2013-06-02 at 17.24.43.jpg

The detachable handle of the C cameras is a great innovation, on the other hand it introduces a single contact point design, that has to hold up to a lot of torque.
Any reports from e.g. C300 users with a similar issue...?
 
Wow. That's bad. I'd like to know if the user had more than a lens mounted on the camera. Things like rails, matte boxes, etc.
 
I've never seen anything like this on my camera, or heard about anything similar from other owner/ops that I know - C100 or C300. I imagine this is likely the result of improper usage and not a "design fault" like the OP claims. The magnesium body of the C-series cameras is tremendously strong. I don't see how putting a top handle on the shoe / 1/4-20 mount can cause cracks in the camera body since there isn't significant pressure put in that area via the handle.
 
Well, the OP just stated "It appears to be a design fault of normal use of the handle."
Of course he wouldn´t write sth else if he is hoping for a warranty repair.
Anyhow, the hot/cold shoe attachment really seems like a heritage design statement by Canon.
Maybe someone with an engineers background can chime in here...?
 
cowpunk52 said:
I've never seen anything like this on my camera, or heard about anything similar from other owner/ops that I know - C100 or C300. I imagine this is likely the result of improper usage and not a "design fault" like the OP claims. The magnesium body of the C-series cameras is tremendously strong. I don't see how putting a top handle on the shoe / 1/4-20 mount can cause cracks in the camera body since there isn't significant pressure put in that area via the handle.
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I remember reading a review of the C100 sometime back where the reviewer stated the C100 body is made of magnesium and plastic. The cracked area experienced by the user may be made of plastic.
 
Thought you mean firmware crack !!!! I was so happy !!!!!!!!!!!!! I was ~!!! But not anymore

lol
 
The upper part of the C100 is made of "regular" plastic, not the "freckled" magnesium of the middle part of the body, holding the lens mount.
IIRC the C300 is completely made out of magnesium, can someone confirm...?
 
If it were such an issue, you would see more than just ONE occurrence. I'm gonna say this guy tried lifting the camera by the handle with a heavy tripod attached then posted about it so that Canon would contact him for free repair.

Secondly, I'm gonna guess that the handle of the C100 is designed to lift the C100 as is with a lens attached. If you want to attach a ton of crap like monitors, baseplate, external recorders and sound, GET A FRIKIN CAGE for the camera!
 
The location of the crack suggests to me that the handle was pressed down, lifting the rear end like a crowbar. Perhaps trying to jam the camera down in a bag somehow or sitting on it by accident ;o)
 
So that's my camera with the crack, I didn't lift it with a heavy tripod or do anything overly excessive. Yes I did some handheld using the handle and I have on occasions mounted the fairly heavy Ninja 2 on the front off it. But I thought these would be within the normal ability of the camera to handle. I imagine others will have a similar problem but hopefully not, i'm still using the camera as it is but being careful and I will be sending off for repair next month.
 
Thanks for chiming in. This is still the first example of this sort of damage to a C100 body I've heard of. I know plenty of owner operators who use the top handle extensively with Ninja 2's mounted on it, and have never had a problem. I know I've mounted all sorts of things to my C300's top handle, and haven't had an issue in the 1.5 years I've been using it. I still think this is an isolated incident and not a "design flaw." I hope it gets fixed quickly and under warranty for you.
 
Londonranger said:
So that's my camera with the crack, I didn't lift it with a heavy tripod or do anything overly excessive. Yes I did some handheld using the handle and I have on occasions mounted the fairly heavy Ninja 2 on the front off it. But I thought these would be within the normal ability of the camera to handle. I imagine others will have a similar problem but hopefully not, i'm still using the camera as it is but being careful and I will be sending off for repair next month.
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I have heard about this happening before to other C100s. It is a shame for how expensive the camera is to get such cheap build quality.
 
alex1 said:
I have heard about this happening before to other C100s. It is a shame for how expensive the camera is to get such cheap build quality.
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I'm like Brian Weed, this is the first example of a cracked housing that I've heard of. You think your C100 has a "cheap build quality"? I feel just the opposite about mine.
 
Cheap build quality? If it were a problem we would hear of dozens of cameras cracking. This is the only one I've read about.
I think Alex1 who I know is a BMCuser fan is attempting to take a stab at the C100. I had the BMCv1 and I had a POS fan in it that lasted a week, like the dozens of reports I've read about on BMCuser. Shame that such a low quality fan is put into any camera system....I've got to go shoot now. I don't have months to wait around for a camera.
 
I have heard of people striping the 1/4 20 thread were the handle attaches. This is one reason I wanted a bag that can hold the camera with the handle attached. Taking the handle off a lot could wear it down.
 
What is worse is trying to put on and take off the monitor/audio section of the C300. It could get to where it would stick and be hard to remove. Also hard to keep that assembly together in a bag, much easier with the C100. I have never heard of a cracked camera body, but I did have to stop one of the AC's that tried to pick the Camera up by the handle when attached to a Satchler 18 head and sticks. You have to be aware of what that handle can take. The C100 is very well built for the price.

As usual the monitor hinge seems to be the weak link. But overall much better than Sony Panasonic in the same price range.
 
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