Tech: Digital SLRs' Are they Repairable

Subject: Tech: Digital SLRs' Are they Repairable
From: Owen Woodson
Date: 17 Jun 12 - 06:07 AM

I've just bought my first digital SLR camera, a Canon EOS 1100D to be precise. As expected, the sales person tried to sell me a repair contract. Normally I regard these things as an outrageous rip off and turn them down flat.

On this occasion however, the SP pointed out that cameras are prone to being knocked about, which is true, especially bearing in mind some of the situations in which I'll be using this one. Then he added that it's both difficult and expensive getting digital SLRs repaired.

I've therefore taken out a free month's contract with the option of cancelling at the end of the month, or at any point thereafter, while I consider the situation.

Has anyone ever had a digital SLR repaired? Is it as difficult to find a repairer as this bloke claimed? And are repairs as expensive as he says? Bear in mind that components failure will be covered by the warranty for the first twelve months anyway, although physical damage wouldn't be.

Answers on this thread please, and many thanks.

Subject: RE: Tech: Digital SLRs' Are they Repairable
From: GUEST,Derek Schofield
Date: 17 Jun 12 - 06:19 AM

I have a digital SLR and insurance and had two problems with a lens, which was repaired quickly and efficiently on both occasions without charge. No idea how much the repairs would have been otherwise, but I was very happy with the insurance.
Derek

Subject: RE: Tech: Digital SLRs' Are they Repairable
From: SonnyWalkman
Date: 17 Jun 12 - 06:54 AM

My Cannon EOS 400 D broke down about a month after the guarantee ran out.

The parts and the repair cost more than half the original cost of the camera, so it was touch and go as to whether to repair it or ditch it. I went with the repair and it's been fine since (2 years).

I guess it depends on how much the repair contract costs.

Tony

Subject: RE: Tech: Digital SLRs' Are they Repairable
From: GUEST,Auldtimer
Date: 17 Jun 12 - 07:41 AM

Digital SLR's are repairable, AT A PRICE. I have had to get two repaired, a Canon and a Pentax both repairs cheaper than a new cameras but it was touch and go. I sold them both soon after, when I was sure the faults were cured and both were working fine. I currently have a Pentax K7 which has twice caused me greef untill I traced the "faults" to wrongly set menu details. Half the cost of a new camera seems to be the current quote for repairs, but I may be looking on the black side.

Subject: RE: Tech: Digital SLRs' Are they Repairable
From: GUEST,Shimrod
Date: 17 Jun 12 - 04:01 PM

I had a Canon lens repaired recently. Although by no means cheap having the lens repaired was considerably cheaper than buying a new one.

I've had no problems with either of my two SLRs but my Canon compact developed a dark spot on the sensor and, if I remember correctly, the repair cost I was quoted made it uneconomic to have it repaired.

Subject: RE: Tech: Digital SLRs' Are they Repairable
From: Gurney
Date: 17 Jun 12 - 04:12 PM

Since you are talking SLRs, do make sure that any insurance covers both camera and lens. With some more expensive models, these are sold separately.

I've never bought it for cameras, and never needed it. Both lucky and careful.
Also, make sure the new camera is written onto the household insurance, for fire and theft.

Subject: RE: Tech: Digital SLRs' Are they Repairable
From: GUEST,.gargoyle
Date: 18 Jun 12 - 12:42 AM

Every 120 fipm format had their preference...

Of course every poor young photo journalist lusted for a "rolliei or even a holzilbrand ".... but continected to see a"ued, day by day with the work -horse, the faithful Y....knowing that under extream conditions... they would suffer less remorse ...chucking the more reliable (and four times cheaper Yashika 2.25 x 2.25 into the blaze of the day when it was time to "crap - out" and ... some carried 35mmas backup.....but editors working down from Gtafflex 4x4 ( 4x6 e expected to view large "proof sheets " ....the standard 2.25 fit the immediate needs of the time.

Sincerly, Gargoyle

‹ lsome digital slrs are placed in demanding positions.....secure your digital chips outside the camera body before inspecfion. That goes to say ...carry multiple chips.

Subject: RE: Tech: Digital SLRs' Are they Repairable
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 18 Jun 12 - 04:28 AM

Surely there is a 12 warranty on cameras.

I could have done with a DSLR at the Beaufort Polo - and a tripod! It was raining, windy and not warm. I sat in the stand balancing a large umbrella with my left arm, and holding my Fuji HS10 with Raynox Telephoto Lens converter in my right - not easy!!

The trouble with buying a camera these days from a shop is that the sales men (and women) are under pressure to sell maintenance contracts, and too often they are from the "ipod know-nothing generation".

My father had a decent Cannon SLR film camera when he was alive, and never bothered with a repair contract. On the occasions when a repair was necessary, he simply took it to a Cannon repair centre, which I think was somewhere along the North Circular Road near Hangar Lane, and always received exemplary service (remember that?).

Subject: RE: Tech: Digital SLRs' Are they Repairable
From: jonm
Date: 18 Jun 12 - 11:22 AM

Finding a repairer is easy (in the UK). Many charge for assessing and quoting on the repair. The eventual repair cost is likely to be about half the value of the camera, as said above. I've only experienced one problem requiring repair, which cost less than the cumulative cost of insurance up to that date.

Canons used to be particularly vulnerable to damage from swapping memory cards in and out. This was classed as an operator error not a fault and not covered by warranty. Cost between £50 and £150 to repair depending on the state of the pins in the slot. They may have fixed the design.

Subject: RE: Tech: Digital SLRs' Are they Repairable
From: GUEST
Date: 18 Jun 12 - 11:26 AM

Extended warranties are rarely worth the money and, as has been said, if you have an "all risks" household policy (which we have) you would already be covered for loss or damage. If it just breaks down, invoke "fit for purpose" law & demand replacement.

RtS

Subject: RE: Tech: Digital SLRs' Are they Repairable
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 18 Jun 12 - 05:00 PM

The battery door snapped on my old Olympus C560, which I mended with superglue after finding out it was not covered under the warranty!

Subject: RE: Tech: Digital SLRs' Are they Repairable
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 18 Jun 12 - 06:45 PM

If you search you'll find places like The Foto Geeks who sell all of those little parts (you could probably get that battery door from them, Bonzo, and do the repair yourself.)

I use a Canon EOS at work, it is several years old now but still does a great job. I was having difficulty with autofocus and we finally learned it was the chip in the lens (who knew the lens had it's own computer?) and replaced the lens. I could have sent it in for repair but it would have taken weeks and I use this camera all of the time. It was cheaper in that sense to get the new lens. I suppose I could now send the other one out for repair and keep it as a spare. This is a great macro lens that I use most often.

You know the old saying - it is more true than ever before - "They don't make things like they used to." Planned obsolescence - it's in there.

I keep my camera in a padded camera case, and when I don't want to haul the entire kit around, I have an extra padded case (meant for a netbook but works fine for the camera) that I use. This is to protect it from bumps and from dust and dirt.

SRS

Subject: RE: Tech: Digital SLRs' Are they Repairable
From: GUEST
Date: 18 Jun 12 - 11:13 PM

Funny, no one has mentioned the Nikon Warranty, 2 years on Bodies and 5 on Lenses. Manufactured faults ONLY of course.
You drop it you are SOL, JohnB.

Subject: RE: Tech: Digital SLRs' Are they Repairable
From: Eric the Viking
Date: 19 Jun 12 - 02:22 PM

I've had a Sony Alpha for four years. Never had a problem with it despite it getting a little wet and some rough handling.Normally very well protected in either a photo rucksack or a padded camera bag.My extended warranty was pretty cheap I seem to remember and has just run out. I haven't renewed it. I have to say this is about the only extended warranty either Mrs Viking or myself have bought.

Subject: RE: Tech: Digital SLRs' Are they Repairable
From: Eric the Viking
Date: 19 Jun 12 - 02:25 PM

Got totally distracted there and entered the above. Meant to say that a friend has a Canon EOS which has had several hard and damaging knocks. He has had it repaired several times and not yet reached the cost of the camera.

Subject: RE: Tech: Digital SLRs' Are they Repairable
From: GUEST,Mike S
Date: 06 Jul 12 - 01:45 PM

I bought a Pentax ist DL second hand and wish now I hadn't. It broke down - will take photos but won't transfer them to the card, so it's a PC or motherboard problem. Swapping it would be easy if one existed, but Pentax have stopped supporting older DSLRs. If and I say, if I buy another DSLR it will be a current model and I'll try to get it with the longest warranty possible. Someone said earlier planned obsolescence - they're right. I have little confidence in shelling out hundreds on a DSLR if several years down the line the manufacturer stops supporting it to the extent that if it gets a fault, it's effectively a doorstop. I dug out my old SFXn, shoved a 35mm film in it and it carries on like a tractor, and if it fails, the replacement cost is in the 10s of pounds not hundreds. 35mm is cheap, D&P straight to CD also not that pricey. Maybe I'll get another DSLR in the future, maybe not. They're far too expensive to be obsolete after just a few years.

Subject: RE: Tech: Digital SLRs' Are they Repairable
From: Bernard
Date: 06 Jul 12 - 02:18 PM

Mike - I'm not sure I understand the problem you're having. It sounds like the camera works fine, but you can't get the pictures off the card afterwards?

If that's so, have you tried a separate card reader?

On the other hand, if the problem is the camera not 'saving' the pictures to its own card, then maybe you just need a new card... it's even possible the settings are wrong, and findind a manual online may solve it.

Could you possible explain the problem more clearly, as it may be a lot simpler than it seems!

Subject: RE: Tech: Digital SLRs' Are they Repairable
From: Bernard
Date: 06 Jul 12 - 02:23 PM

Is this the camera you're talking about?

Subject: RE: Tech: Digital SLRs' Are they Repairable
From: GUEST,Mike S
Date: 07 Jul 12 - 06:15 AM

Thanks Bernard. Yes, it's the same camera. It does work perfectly up to the point where the photo is taken and the shot is supposed to transfer to the card, then I get a blank screen where there should be a view of the shot just taken. The picture does not transfer to the card. Tried different cards - same result. I took it to an official Pentax repair centre and they confirmed it was a motherboard problem. They have had the camera with them for the last 3 months trying to get a replacement motherboard from Pentax and their other sources without success. Pentax stopped manufacturing the boards some time ago and it looks like global stocks are finally exhausted. We've tried looking on even eBay for a damaged repairable without electrical problems but no success. Short of tryng to get the motherboard itself repaired, and I have no idea the cost or if that's even possible, it's looking more and more likely now that the camera will have to be scrapped.