Having my camera refurbished?
May 17, 2015 11:22:47 #
My Canon SX40 bridge camera seems to be in good working order but is seldom used any more. I'd like to send it with my son to our granddaughter's wedding in DC in Oct. He has very little digital experience but has shot film well, all his life. I know he will bring back an excellent photo-record of the event. The camera is used so seldom I don't really trust that it won't let him down. Can I--should I--send it to Canon for refurbishing? I haven't investigated the cost, and it could well be that a wiser move would be to trade it in on a a new SX50. Any experience or advice will be greatly appreciated. Bob
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May 17, 2015 11:26:01 #
Personally I would make an effort to use the 40 and if it behaves....keep on using.
May 17, 2015 11:39:46 #
Pilot 6 wrote:
My Canon SX40 bridge camera seems to be in good working order but is seldom used any more.
If that's the case, then a new SX50 would likely get used just once. Have you investigated renting a 40 or 50 for the event?
The other part of the picture is: don't you trust that the wedding photographer will do an adequate job of documenting the event? Or are you just trying to control your son and make him do what you would want to do yourself? (I don't mean to sound harsh, but perhaps you should examine your motivations.)
May 17, 2015 12:56:06 #
Pilot 6 wrote:
My Canon SX40 bridge camera seems to be in good wo... (show quote)
Unlike bread, cameras don't go stale :) I'd suggest that you take out and shoot with it for a few days and see if you have any problems. I'f not, then send it with him.
May 18, 2015 00:30:18 #
davidk2020 wrote:
If that's the case, then a new SX50 would likely get used just once. Have you investigated renting a 40 or 50 for the event?
The other part of the picture is: don't you trust that the wedding photographer will do an adequate job of documenting the event? Or are you just trying to control your son and make him do what you would want to do yourself? (I don't mean to sound harsh, but perhaps you should examine your motivations.)
The other part of the picture is: don't you trust that the wedding photographer will do an adequate job of documenting the event? Or are you just trying to control your son and make him do what you would want to do yourself? (I don't mean to sound harsh, but perhaps you should examine your motivations.)
The "other part of the picture" not only sounds harsh, it is uncalled for, offensive and way out of line.
May 18, 2015 02:48:27 #
Pilot 6 wrote:
The "other part of the picture" not only sounds harsh, it is uncalled for, offensive and way out of line.
I don't think it is harsh or out-of-line. There are a lot of photogs here who make a living out of documenting weddings. They often complain about "Uncle Bobs" who make their job diffifcult.
So exactly what is it that you find "harsh, offensive, and way out of line"? That you don't expect the event phototrapher to do an adequate job? That's your problem, and you have no business dumping it on your son.
Why don't you just admit that you're a control-freak? Did you even ask your son if he wanted to photograph the event?
I'd be willing to bet that many UHHers would say that YOU'RE out-of-line. It's just that I"m the only one so far that is willing to say it. If your granddaughter has chosen a paid, professional photographer, butt out.
May 18, 2015 07:34:32 #
hj
Loc: Florida
Pilot 6 asked a simple question and a couple people try to say he's a control freak. Come on people. This isn't about distrusting a wedding photographer or about a relationship with the son. It's about wanting to get some candid, casual pics at the event. The OP asked if he should trust his SX40, have it refurbished or replace it. I agree with Erik H. Use it a few days and then send it with the son if there are no problems.
Yes, davidk2020 is out of line to make a personal attack on the OP.
Yes, davidk2020 is out of line to make a personal attack on the OP.
May 18, 2015 08:31:05 #
Who said anything about a 'professional' photographer, even being at the service?
May 18, 2015 08:36:42 #
Nothing wrong with wanting your son to take pictures at the wedding. Will give you an example. When our nephew got married they had a photographer, but I took pictures too, not to cut in on the photographer but for our personal memories. When it came time for the reception, they didn't have an photos from the photographer for a slide show they wanted and took pictures that I had taken to complete the slide show. Not saying anything bad about the wedding photographer, he had a busy time and was backed up.
As some say, check out the older camera, if it's working okay, send it with your son. He's probably familiar with operating it.
As some say, check out the older camera, if it's working okay, send it with your son. He's probably familiar with operating it.
May 18, 2015 09:30:53 #
I'd be very surprised if Canon can do anything with the camera. They are kind of "throw away."
Canon SX50 good-as-new refurbished, with one-year warranty, are selling for $180:
http://shop.usa.canon.com/shop/en/catalog/powershot-sx50-hs-refurbished
Canon SX50 good-as-new refurbished, with one-year warranty, are selling for $180:
http://shop.usa.canon.com/shop/en/catalog/powershot-sx50-hs-refurbished
May 18, 2015 11:10:19 #
amfoto1
Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA
You can send a camera in for a "CLA", which means "cleaning, lubrication, adjustment". What's done is that the camera is checked out for proper working order, adjusted if needed (metering system, autofocus system, for example), then cleaned and lubricated, as needed. This is essentially the same thing as "refurbishing".
Canon's factory service dept. would be a good place to send it. They will have the "factory tools" to test and service the camera, as well as the training to do so.
However, you also might ask around about local camera repair shops. Some of them are pretty good and capable of doing the same thing. This might save you the cost of shipping. Might save some time, too. If anything is faulty, both Canon and independent repairers may be limited by replacement parts availability of discontinued models.
One difference is that if anything is wrong, the Canon factory service dept. would almost always just replace any faulty parts modularly, where independent repairers might instead effect a repair. For example, some of the DSLR shutter buttons can get "gunked up" with finger oils, dust, etc. over time and with use... If you send the camera with this fault to Canon they'll simply replace the entire switch assembly with a new one... In contrast, an independent repairer would usually just give it a proper cleaning and reinstall the original part, saving the cost of the replacement parts.
There's a limit to how much can actually be done with a point-n-shoot like that. And, due to the low prices that used ones sell for, if it is faulty in any way it's rarely worth putting a lot of money into it.
Canon's factory service dept. would be a good place to send it. They will have the "factory tools" to test and service the camera, as well as the training to do so.
However, you also might ask around about local camera repair shops. Some of them are pretty good and capable of doing the same thing. This might save you the cost of shipping. Might save some time, too. If anything is faulty, both Canon and independent repairers may be limited by replacement parts availability of discontinued models.
One difference is that if anything is wrong, the Canon factory service dept. would almost always just replace any faulty parts modularly, where independent repairers might instead effect a repair. For example, some of the DSLR shutter buttons can get "gunked up" with finger oils, dust, etc. over time and with use... If you send the camera with this fault to Canon they'll simply replace the entire switch assembly with a new one... In contrast, an independent repairer would usually just give it a proper cleaning and reinstall the original part, saving the cost of the replacement parts.
There's a limit to how much can actually be done with a point-n-shoot like that. And, due to the low prices that used ones sell for, if it is faulty in any way it's rarely worth putting a lot of money into it.
May 18, 2015 11:26:58 #
Don Fischer
Loc: Antelope, Ore
I got no problem with the op. Given the choice between a control freak and an A** Hole, I'll take the control freak. Very very rude I think!
As for the camera, someone said a new SX50 is like $189? The kid is going all the way to Florida to get photo's at his sister's wedding? Sound's to me like wwhich throw away film camera do you get. I'd spend the money, get him the new camera and when he's done, let him keep the camera.
As for the camera, someone said a new SX50 is like $189? The kid is going all the way to Florida to get photo's at his sister's wedding? Sound's to me like wwhich throw away film camera do you get. I'd spend the money, get him the new camera and when he's done, let him keep the camera.
May 19, 2015 01:12:09 #
Don Fischer wrote:
I got no problem with the op. Given the choice between a control freak and an A** Hole, I'll take the control freak. Very very rude I think!
As for the camera, someone said a new SX50 is like $189? The kid is going all the way to Florida to get photo's at his sister's wedding? Sound's to me like wwhich throw away film camera do you get. I'd spend the money, get him the new camera and when he's done, let him keep the camera.
As for the camera, someone said a new SX50 is like $189? The kid is going all the way to Florida to get photo's at his sister's wedding? Sound's to me like wwhich throw away film camera do you get. I'd spend the money, get him the new camera and when he's done, let him keep the camera.
At the risk of ripping off a scab, I'll own that epithet on this occasion. I can't believe I posted something that offensive. I sincerely apologize to Pilot 6, and I hope that others reading this thread do not judge me solely by that post. We all screw-up now and then, and I admit that this was a doozy: looking back I can't even believe that I wrote it.
May 19, 2015 12:27:57 #
May 19, 2015 17:36:50 #
teesquare
Loc: USA
davidk2020 wrote:
At the risk of ripping off a scab, I'll own that epithet on this occasion. I can't believe I posted something that offensive. I sincerely apologize to Pilot 6, and I hope that others reading this thread do not judge me solely by that post. We all screw-up now and then, and I admit that this was a doozy: looking back I can't even believe that I wrote it.
From zero to hero David. It is a mark of true honor and dignity to stand up and apologize. You would get my vote for "post of the day" if there were one.
Until you wrote that - I was convinced I would never want to comment in a thread where you were posting. Now, I feel you may be a better man than most for your above actions to make amends.
Kudos.
T
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