Is Canon chip replacement worthwhile?

[Jerry Vanderberg]

After 2 years of great results with my S30, I find that some of the programming features are no longer functional. For instance, both the "delete individual pictures" and the "delete all pictures" do not work. This function is crucial, as one of the great advantages of a digital camera is the ability to clean up unwanted shots at the end of a session. Does anyone have experience with sending their camera to Canon for a chip replacement, and is it a worthwhile investment?

[CyberDyneSystems]

If it's under warranty.. definately send it in... otherwise.. I wonder how much a repair would cost?

I'd check with Canon,. describe the problem,. and see if they can give you an idea on the cost to service the camera... it may not be worth it as newer and better cameras keep getting more affordable.

[Jerry Vanderberg]

Thanks for the reply. The camera is no longer under warranty. I spoke to a Canon rep, who advised me to send it in to their Factory Service Center in Illinois but he wouldn't even give a ballpark figure on cost estimates.

[RonS50]

Would there be any chance this could be CF card related? Might try reformatting the card or try another card.

[Jerry Vanderberg]

No. It fails with two different CF cards and the cards can be erased with the software used to download the card files to my computer.

[BobbyLee]

I'd recommend reformatting both CFs in the camera which I think RonS50 was suggesting. After reading other posts on this forum I get the impression that formatting with the computer software may not do the job 100% compared to formatting them in the camera. Just trying to think what I would do if I had this problem. Good luck.

[Jerry Vanderberg]

I just got a repair estimate back from Canon with an estimate of $150 plus tax and shipping. (Several of the functions do not work.) I'm pissed at Canon for such a steep repair cost with less than 2 years of use on my part. I'm debating whether I should go ahead or put the money towards an upgrade instead. If so, I'm leaning towards the S45. I like the S series because of the ability to slip the camera into a pocket, yet have some programming control. 3 MP were plenty for me, as I was able to get excellent 8x10s, as well as as 4X6s with extensive cropping. 4MP wouldn't hurt but I think that 5 is overkill. The only thing that bothered me about the S30 was the wimpy flash. I wish that the S series had a hot shoe for an accessory flash but I might go with a slave flash in the future. I used Canon 35mm SLR film cameras for many years without any problems. Is the short life span of the digitals common or was it just my bad luck. (I took excellent care of it with no drops.)

[stopbath]

In relation to the size of the camera, $150 is kinda steep, but still that's a couple hours work to replace a flex board (or whatever they gotta do). Small electonic things are rarely economical to repair as it is more cost effective to build them, then repair them. Gone are the days when replacing a bent armature lever got the camera working again. Now things are packed in tightly, made of lighter materials and made smaller. More and more circuits are used. Electonics can fail due to chemical changes over time (helped on by heat or humidity...) so a gizmo that works one day, may not work next month, just due to a part has failed.

I would look at getting a new camera if the first camera failed due to water damage (high humidity, condensation...) as more damage can easily be waiting on other circuits that seem perfectly fine now... Otherwise, take it on par. $150 to fix, or should the $150 be used in a purchase of a new camera... Quandry...

Good luck on your choice.

[pradeep1]

NO...pickup a new A80 for $180 at OfficeDepot instead :P :

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=30443

[Jerry Vanderberg]

Thank you Pradeep for the tip. I checked out the specs for the A80 and was impressed. I rushed over to the 2 Office Depots in Manhattan but unfortunately both places were out of this special. While I was there, however, I got a good deal on a display model of the S50 for $230. They couldn't easily sell it since it had no battery charger or cables. But since I had these from my S30, it was no problem.

[stopbath]

Thank you Pradeep for the tip. I checked out the specs for the A80 and was impressed. I rushed over to the 2 Office Depots in Manhattan but unfortunately both places were out of this special. While I was there, however, I got a good deal on a display model of the S50 for $230. They couldn't easily sell it since it had no battery charger or cables. But since I had these from my S30, it was no problem.
That's the way to go! Now you got two cameras. One without some needed functions (you want to borrow my camera, use this instead...), and one that works... :)

[pradeep1]

Thank you Pradeep for the tip. I checked out the specs for the A80 and was impressed. I rushed over to the 2 Office Depots in Manhattan but unfortunately both places were out of this special. While I was there, however, I got a good deal on a display model of the S50 for $230. They couldn't easily sell it since it had no battery charger or cables. But since I had these from my S30, it was no problem.

The S50 is a sweet camera. It's well built. It's black. It has RAW and crisp 5 megapixel output at ISO 50. Have fun and donate your old camera to some budding photographer who shows interest. You can pickup a charger and replacement battery for $30 on eBay.