CANON??? I am furious

[paysensmom]

I got the camera I really wanted a year ago. The Canon Rebel XT. Hubby got it for my bday. About 6 months ago it started acting up. It just will not take pictures sometimes. It will have numbers in the top left corner flashing 8 12 25 so on. It varies. I can get it to work sometimes if I hold my hand over the lense and to coax the flash to pop up and then to take another picture I have to close the flash, turn the camera off and do the same thing again. I have had it with this camera. I have sent it in THREE times!!! Each time they tell me something different and that they fixed the problem. Each time I get it back it is NOT fixed at all. I asked them how many times I need to send this camera in before they replace it. They said they rarely replace cameras and not to count on it. UNBELIEVABLE right?
So, I guess I am now giving up on their "customer service" and I am just going to sell this thing I am stuck with that is suppose to be this "great" camera on EBAY. Maybe someone besides the canon people can actually fix it. I am sick of missing pictures (thats why i wanted this one so I could take a picture while my child was doing something and not after the moment was over).
So, here I am reading this board desperately trying to decide which camera to purchase instead. I probably didnt even need the expensive canon in the first place. I just want great pics of my children. I am addicted to scrapbooking! I think I would like something smaller. Please help me out. Please do NOT recommend a CANON because I wouldnt take one for free at this point.

Please give me your advise.
Thank you so much,
Heather

 

[Kim&Chris]

Wow, I'm really sorry you're having these problems with your Canon. I have a Canon and I love it, but I understand your frustration.

You should look into a Nikon 40D.

Or, log onto Steves-Digicams dot com and see what he recommends. I have gotten incredible information from that site, so hopefully it can help you with your choice for a new camera.

Good luck.

 

[brack]

I have three Canon SLR cameras. One is film (EOS1) and two are digital (Digital Rebel and XTi). I have had the film camera for 10 years. The digital cameras since they came out on the market each.

I have had no trouble with any of them. They continue to give me excellent service. As with any electronic or mechanical device you can get a "lemon" but most Canon's are built well.

My next camera will probably be a Canon as well.

 

[Master Mason]

Sorry your having such problems. I too have canons and have never had any problems. No company is perfect though.

 

[ukcatfan]

Please do not be offended by this, but based on your description of the problem with the numbers and coaxing the flash, it sounds like this is a situation where you do not know how to use the camera and you are leaving it in auto and expecting the camera to be perfect. Those numbers are probably the shutter speed and that is not an error. It is only telling you what the shutter speed is on the shot. If this is the case, you are not going to get any better results with any other camera. I am guessing that you are using the kit lens and shooting in tough lighting conditions. Try using the 50mm f/1.8 lens for ~$100 and learning about exposure instead of selling the camera.

Kevin

 

[captaincrash]

I tend to agree with UKCatFan... It sounds like the numbers you speak of are shutter speeds - and your desire to tirgger the flash deployment as a solution is related to low light conditions - so you need to get a lot more familiar with the basic peration of your camera under varying conditions.

I've never heard of lemons like you describe. If there was a problem with the camera I would assume it would be more serious and probably fall within a narrow range of common problems.

The XT is a powerful instrument in experienced hands - and a useful tool for the majority of folks. To properly address your specific needs you would be best served by a live helper - and NOT an over the web posting with full explanation. Try a local camera dealer - or try the place where you bought the body - so long as it is not a general merchandise store. There you're uinlikely to get any useful help.

Alternately - may I suggest you enroll in a college or adult education class on photography. Also, if you look into your local parks and recreation courses you might see a basic photography class listed. I know we have them in my area.

And just to set the record straight - I bet I could also benefit from a "refresher" course on basic photography too! <wink>

Good luck otherwise.

 

[Groucho]

What is Canon saying when they return it? I would assume that the OP is having a legitimate problem with the camera if it worked OK for six months, and Canon is coming up with different reasons why it's having problems.

FWIW, our own Jann1033 went through some real nightmares with Canon service so you're not the only one. She eventually did get satisfaction (new lens - and new body, too? I don't remember exactly) but it was a battle.

That being said, it does sound like some of it is basic usability issues. There is likely a button next to the flash to make it pop up, so you can use that if it doesn't think it needs the flash. (A lot of the reason to have a DSLR is that you don't need to use the flash all the time, though!) The numbers are probably normal indicators of camera settings. Check the manual to see what is listed there.

I'm sorry you're having such a hard time, but I would definitely set aside some time to read the manual while sitting next to the camera, so you can try what it says. Understanding why it's doing what it's doing will make you much happier, I'm sure.

 

[jann1033]

i didn't read all the previous posts carefully but....i had a problem with my is lens, went round and round and didn't get any satisfaction till i talked to customer resolution, not customer service...the people i actually talked to in tech support were helpful but i really do believe once they get a camera back a few times they think you just don't know how to use the camera and i wonder if they even look at it since my lens came back worse the first time then the same the next times( supposedly they replaced the part again but i don't think they really did) but...i'd call (again )tell them to put you in touch with a manager and see what happens..when i did that they put me into a customer resolution type situation and eventually the guy came through( even after i really bit his head off once since he happened to call when my blood sugar was wacko, poor guy ) they did eventually replace the lens and the body and i really do think they were perplexed as to what was wrong since they sent it to some other quality control type place...

meanwhile, could you take it into a local shop and show them what it is doing? just to rule out any kind of weird user error or something...they might be able to tell you if they have seen a similar problem..

keep trying, even if it's after your warranty is over if it's the same problem they have to fix it or give you a new camera and then the experience is kind of like labor pains...you forget just how bad it was

oh and btw, make sure you keep all the copies they send you back telling them what was "fixed" just in case. i wrote to one of the main canon usa guy ( think it was a vp) and included all the copies of what they sent me, then it just so happened they called me the same day i put the letter out from this other dept...they initially wanted to just replace the lens but after 6 months of hassle i told them no, i want a whole new system and surprisingly they did it..even though the guy tried to talk me out of it, i stuck to my guns on it..but was "nice" and apologized for my crankiness and then sent him a thank you email after i got everything.

i have an xt...are you using it in p? if so like groucho mentioned( i went back and read the other posts) there is a button on the left side with a lightening looking arrow that makes the flash pop up. any of the auto setting( the green box and little head side) the flash should come up by itself...in p you need to put the flash up. what is going on to the far right of the view finder screen? is the little round dot flashing or does it stay green? if it';s not flashing that means the exposure is ok ...

it could also be a problem with the lens? if you take it in to a store try another lens on your body and see if it does the same thing....don't give up yet, maybe post some more info ie what they fixed or said when they looked at it.

i could get it to do the same thing if i put it in the green box /auto....the flash popped up,i'd shut it,the shutter speed would flash, then after a few seconds the flash would pop up again and then i could shoot..if i pushed the flash back down it would flash shutter speeds till the flash popped up. if it is doing that with the flash up or if the flash isn't coming up at all in the green box or auto settings something is wrong with the flash/camera but if you don't want the flash to come up you probably need to use P, that will set your shutter etc but you control the flash..sorry if you realize that already, i just know sometimes i can't figure something out then have a homer simpson dohh moment

 

[Luv'sTink]

I hope when you sell it on Ebay that you honestly and accurately describe the problems you are having with it. However, I don't see anyone paying much for a camera with the problems you are having.

 

[Kim&Chris]

Quick question...did you buy this on ebay?

 

[paysensmom]

My husband purchased this camera from Best Buy for my birthday. The camera is definitely having problems and it is not some setting I am trying to do. The camera worked perfectly for 6 months and then it just didnt. I did not try doing anything differently with it. So I am positive that something is wrong with it. The first time they told me something "shorted" out and they fixed that. Then they said that something else blew up and they replaced the part. It just seems they dont know what they are doing. Why am I having the exact same problems over and over when they "fixed" three different things on it? If there was a problem with something shorting out, they should have fixed it and then the camera should be working like new again. But, they never actually fix the real problem. I do not get the green little light on the right side when the camera decides it doesnt want to take a picture. And it doesnt happen only in low light situations. I was at Disney World at noon on a very sunny day and it would not work. So, I am very disappointed with CANON.
And of course if I sold the camera on ebay I would describe the problem I was having. Why would anyone think I would do otherwise?

Anyway, thank you guys for your input so far. I hope I can get some sort of resolution whether it be through you guys or Canon!
Thanks,
Heather

 

[Nikel]

Are you sure it's not a lens problem? If you have multiple lenses, and it's doing it with all them them, then obviously it's not. One of the times I rented a lens, it was doing all kinds of whacked out things and the camera wouldn't always take a picture. I tried the lens on my other body, and that camera started acting up and not working too. So I know it was just the lens, since it did it on both bodies and every other lens still worked fine. Just a thought.

 

[brack]

And of course if I sold the camera on ebay I would describe the problem I was having. Why would anyone think I would do otherwise?

Heather

Because if you do no one will buy it. Someone might give you a few dollars to see if there is anything that it can be used for (ie: infared photography) but no one will want to give anything substantial for a camera with such problems.

 

[ukcatfan]

If you keep making polite demands for a replacement, then you should eventually get it replaced. Consider writing a letter to their corporate office.

If you get nowhere, there are always other brands. I have been nothing but happy with my Pentax K100D over the past year.

Kevin

 

[DVC Jen]

Wow I am so sorry you are having such issues. Have you spoken with Best Buy at all to see if they have some kind of warranty?

I am so glad I bought the extended warranty with both of my cameras - even though it was a nice chunk of change when I purchased it - the peace of mind is well worth it.

Just something to think about for the future.

Good luck - I really hope you get some resolution and fast.

 

[Luv'sTink]

I was thinking....Did your DH buy this camera with a credit card? Some credit cards extend the warranty double it or maybe they can help you with Canon, worth a try.

 

[Ducky4Disney]

I have a Canon G2 that worked great for many years, it just finally decided to act up so we upgraded to a Nikon D200. I've never had to deal with Canon customer service, so I can't comment there, but keep up the polite complaints.

I know what it's like to have your camera just stop doing its job. So frustrating! Taking it in to a local camera shop to get thier opinion/advice is a great idea. What about resetting it? I know I've knocked around a few settings unintentionally and had to restore them through a reset. Hmmm... also, do a search for Canon Rebel problems and see it you can find others with the same problem.

If you're going to get another camera (not a Canon) I like the Kodak Easy Share cameras. Easy to use, good features, smaller than your Rebel - just a good all around camera; especailly for a scrapbooker! Check them out while you're at the camera shop letting them toy with your Rebel.

D4D

 

[jann1033]

heather, if you are sure it's the camera or a lens( do you have canon lenses or third party) you really should call the customer resolution. i pmed you with a number i got.

i wouldn't worry a ton about the warranty aspect, you have 6 months from the last repair date as a warranty for those repairs and you still have 6 months or so( if i read your first post right) with your warranty anyway...my camera was actually a couple days past the expiration by the time i got it resolved and since it had been under warranty when the problem started it was ok...the guy was even going to note i could get the new camera if i took the new lens only for another 6 months but i didn't want to take the chance of someone "forgetting" that was the deal

 

[Pea-n-Me]

How much are you selling it for?