Is my 20D defective? Would you exchange it?

[TMR812]

I'm trying to decide if I should be returning my new 20D, and getting a new one?

Here's the issue......

I bought a new 20D, and a new 1GB Lexar 40X card. Popped in the new card, and started shooting. The first 13 images were messed up beyond belief. They had dark black lines going through them that varied severely from picture to picture. Some pictures looked like I was shooting through a horizontal black iron fence. Others had half the picture completely blacked out, or varying lines of varying thickness randomly spread horizontally throughout the picture.

After the first 13 shots, the images cleared up, and the next 15 shots were fine. I then downloaded the images, formated the card, and then continued shooting. I shot some 200 more pics, and the camera appears to be working flawlessly.

Anyone ever heard of this? --- Here's the punch line.... I'm not sure, but it is possible that I did NOT format the brand new card prior to taking the first shots. Nevertheless, the images did clear up prior to the first format after the bad images started.

Would you be returning this camera for a new one?
Do you think what I described could be attributed to not formating the new card first (even though they cleared up before formating?

Thanks,

TMR

[sdommin]

Do you think what I described could be attributed to not formating the new card first (even though they cleared up before formating?


That would be my guess. I always format a new card in the camera first. You did format in the camera, right?

[CyberDyneSystems]

At this point.. I would be more concerned about the card than the camera.. untill I tried a different card and could repeat the symptoms on a second card.. I would see no reason to conclude the camera had any problems.

Hopefully.. the format will solve it all though.

But keep a close eye on that card.

[TMR812]

Yes, I always format in the camera, but I think I may have skipped this step in my haste to start playing....

Do you really think that could be the cause? These shots weren't just bad, they were a train wreck of biblical proportions!!! Then suddenly the problem was gone (never to return -- so far) even before formating.

So if it were your new 20D, would you exchange it?

Thanks,

TMR

[sdommin]

So if it were your new 20D, would you exchange it?


I would wait until your exchange window is almost up. Keep taking test shots to see if the problem repeats itself - use different cards if you can. I suspect it was the formatting, not the card or camera.

[lmelendez]

I would say... get another card (or borrow one from a friend), take a lot of pictures.... try a new one ..... don't wait more than 1 week before you decide if you want to keep it or not... the more you wait the harder will be to exchange it since the store might push you to send it to Canon.

Leo.

[ssim]

If the camera is working without problems now the retailer may not take it back as you don't seem to have a reason (at this point in time) to return it.

I know if it was mine I would always be wondering if something like this is going to happen again. At this point in time you can't definitively say that it was the camera or the card.

I'd give your retailer a quick call and ask for their guidance.

[evilenglishman]

was there any software when you downloaded the images to your computer?
lexar cards usually come with free software on them

[robertwgross]

Sounds like a defective user problem. Those can be replaced easily.

---Bob Gross---