Has anyone ever had a Digital SLR camera repaired? Wondering what to expect and have the notion a repair might cost more than new (argh the landfills!). My camera was knocked over a few years ago when I was taking pictures of our Brownie Troop. It limped along and still worked with some idiocyncracies but the LCD screen has gone completely blank now and without it I can't use the menu selections. ARGH! I know it's something we can live without (EXPENSIVE) but we have used it quite a bit. My daughter used it to make an award winning stop motion video because it came with a remote (now I've just started whining)
Also, does anyone have recommendations of models to look at if we do decide to save our pennies for a new one?
Thanks!
Thanks everyone for your input! I filled out a service order for Olympus (It's an Olympus entry level DSLR E410). I like the camera, it does have some idiocyncracies but I think it isn't going to be worth repairing :-(. Reviews are SO mixed about cameras that I think I'll just stay with Olympus and get a newer model that will still work with what I have and only what I need (body and one lens). I have heard such good things about the cameras recommended here too and guess I could sell the accessories I have. I"m just not sure that would be the best thing to do economically. Thanks everyone! Also, Thanks Judy for the reference to the shop in Mountain View. I'll take it there as a last ditch effort.
I have a Nikon D5000 and love it. I would try the different models out and see what fits best in your hands and what you like the best. Try a camera shop, which may have a used one for sale that might work for you.
We have had one cannon repaired under warranty and it just went back to the company, so I can't help you there. If the current one you have is a cannon and you like it, we love our 7D. It is our newest one, so that is probably while it is our favorite, it has the most features and current technology.
We have stuck with one brand once we purchased our first rebel dslr many years ago, since that way all the lenses fit the new ones. We treat our camera pretty rough with travel, weather, etc and have had had 4 DSLRs, all cannons. They have all held up really well and 3 of the 4 still take great pictures, the last one is just so much slower and has taken over 30,000 pictures, so we don't use it, but still have it. Some we have bought refurbished from the company too, much cheaper and just as good. If your first was another brand, you may want to stick with that brand if you have multiple lenses.
I have a friend who sent her Nikon back for repair and paid a serious chunk of change to do it... it was sent back in the same condition. They told her that they couldn't fix it.
My Nikon is starting to act up. Shutter won't click... Has trouble focusing...
I'm just going to use it until I can't stand it and get something else. I'm very disappointed. I take thousands of pictures a year...
LBC
Having had several point and shoot digital cameras (not dslr) and we have discovered that often it is less expensive to buy a new one than to get them repaired. Most camera manufacturers have a minimum base rate (one of ours was $165) plus parts....We only paid$200 for the camera to begin with. Needless to say I just bought a new camera....
I don't think most digital things are really made to be fixable (thus the high price-this way they can get their money, say they tried and give you back the same broken thing you gave them to fix).
IMO you are better off looking for a new one. Good luck!
I actually just got a Canon Rebel for Christmas. I love it!
Try International Camera Technicians in downtown Mountain View. The German gentleman who owns it is amazingly nice and extremely knowledgeable. The website is: http://www.ictcamera.com/
A couple of years ago, we got our Canon digital SLR repaired through this shop. He could not do the repairs in shop, but he packaged up the camera and sent it off to Japan for us. The repair was fine--not cheap, but worth it, we judged, for a good camera--and the camera has worked fine ever since.
If you have any classic SLRs around, this man is your repair guy!
Best,
J.
