Canon GL2 “Eject Tape” error

[Don Greening]

Take it in for service. The same thing happened to my GL2 a few months ago and Canon ended up replacing parts in the tape transport after over 4 years of use. Keep in mind that if you used a head cleaning cassette on a regular basis instead of taking the camera in for cleaning at regular intervals, Canon Repair may also tell you the heads need replacing now as well. Head cleaning cassettes act like sandpapaer and will wear out your heads prematurely if you don’t use them sparingly.

– Don

[Boakadu]

I’ve read some other posts saying to put some rubbing alcohol on a white gear and that usually does the trick. Or manually turn the tape for a few seconds and it works. What do you feel about this???

I’ve heard horror stories sending in equipment to Canon and getting it back with the same error.

[Don Greening]

I try to keep my hands out of the tape transport area as much as possible. I’ve never heard of the home remedies you’ve mentioned. I’m a cameraperson/editor, not a mechanic. If you don’t trust Canon to repair your GL2 then take it to an authorized repair facility in your area. Personally I’ve had good luck with sending things to Canon and having a proper repair done right the first time. Not too happy about the length of time it takes, though. At least not in my part of the world.

– Don

[Miodrag Ristic]

Boakadu,

Don is right, take it to a service, 2 years is about right time for their tape transport system
to get serviced.
If you were lucky, you might get away just with cleaning (by a professional of course),
if it’s worse, then you’ll have to have it replaced.
This issue was discussed not that long ago, see this post completely:

https://forums.creativecow.net/readpost/59/856464

Mick

[Peter Ralph]

I tried alcohol on the gear – worked very well.

[Darrell Kelly]

There have been many complaints about the transport system in the XM2 camcorders. I’ve had my camcorder in for service at Cannon 4 times now within the last 7 years. With problems ranging from playback to firewire (ieee 1394)connection problems to recording issues. All repairs lasted no longer than 6 months.

Recently (after reading this and other post), I did try using a contact cleaner on a q-tip, applied it to the white gear with the black gear release on top and now the camcorder is working just fine.

[Vicki Jacobs]

Hey there,
I am the owner of a GL2, and had to send the camera to Canon once already to replace the part where you load the mini DV …their minimum is 400.00….the camera isnt yet three years old and its doing the same thing now..the “error” eject”…who has an xtra 400.00 probably now 500.00 anyone aware of a place to repair or who wants to go to bat for me!!! damn Canon obviously has a sudstandard loading mechanism…….help me if you can! thanks

[Miodrag Ristic]

Hey Vicki,
“Eject Tape” doesn’t mean that tape transposrt mechanism has south gone again, it might just need head cleaning.
I usually try first the head cleaning tape (read manual or instructions on cleaning tape itself), if doesn’t get fixed from one 10 sec go, then I try another one.
If that doesn’t work I send it to service (not Canon, just a camcorder service) for head cleaning ($70)
and that fixes it.

About Canon’s job on these GL2 tape mechanisms, you are absolutely right… substandard.

Finally, if you were using PAL, I’d offer you my 2 GL2 (it’s XM2 here in Australia) they’ve been sitting here last 12 months as I’m now mostly using my new Panasonic HPX170 (with cards, so no tape transp. mech. here any more 🙂

[Vicki Jacobs]

Thanks Miodrag…
I hope that is your name……I was filming a non for profit Documentary after a child of mine was killed. The 5 weeks later husband died….most recently other daughter has had brain surgery…I could go on, but I will spare you from anymore……I need to finish this film but am not in a financial position any longer to do much……are your GL2’s working? When and if I can afford to purchase another camera I will, but for now may need to get some students in film school to help! Thanks for writing…..
P.S.( you can toss the cameras to Nashviile, TN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
Be well….VJ

[Miodrag Ristic]

I’m sad to here all that that’s happened to you, but as I already mentioned, these cameras are PAL (as opposite to those you use in USA where is NTSC system) and can’t be used in USA.
Footage from those cameras would not be able to play on your TV or used with your footage.