(Newbie) I think my A70 is toast

[mgmei]

Hi all,

My LCD quit working in camera mode. It still displays older pictures previously taken just fine, but in camera mode it's blank with an occasional dancing line. I cannot take pictures with it, as everything comes out black, which makes me think the CCD is shot. This happened about two months after the warranty expired. Oh, and new batteries didn't help.

Do I contact Canon, send the camera in, and get it fixed (which I saw somewhere on this forum might cost > $100), or would it be a better idea just to buy a new camera? I didn't use it all that often (and admittedly I didn't know how to use my A70 all that well), but I did end up taking a number of pictures with it. I see digital cameras selling for < $150 now and wonder if I should just purchase one of those and try to get an extended warranty.

Happy New Year and Thank you all in advance.

Matt

[tim]

What mode do you have it in? I got a lot of blackness when I had it in M, Tv or Av before I knew how to use it. Try P or the green box, or whatever the auto mode is on the A70 - I can't remember what my A70 has, haven't used it in a little while. Take a few snaps, copy them to the PC, and see what comes out. If it seems to work it's something odd. Either way, send it to Canon to be repaired, I would think.

[BruceC]

try the above and if it is broke ask canon how much. If its over $100 I would get a A75 from amazon.com I got mine for $148 shipped.

[mgmei]

You guys are great -- thank you for the fast responses. I will send it to Canon and try to get an estimate on repair costs.

[It's in the Auto mode, complete darkness on all shots]

Matt

[aboxster]

Hi all,

My LCD quit working in camera mode. It still displays older pictures previously taken just fine, but in camera mode it's blank with an occasional dancing line. I cannot take pictures with it, as everything comes out black, which makes me think the CCD is shot. This happened about two months after the warranty expired. Oh, and new batteries didn't help.

Do I contact Canon, send the camera in, and get it fixed (which I saw somewhere on this forum might cost > $100), or would it be a better idea just to buy a new camera? I didn't use it all that often (and admittedly I didn't know how to use my A70 all that well), but I did end up taking a number of pictures with it. I see digital cameras selling for < $150 now and wonder if I should just purchase one of those and try to get an extended warranty.

Happy New Year and Thank you all in advance.

Matt

Take a look at this URL. I'll bet if you hit the "Display" button, the LCD will turn on. It does this in most Canon's - it's a way to reduce battery use by turning the LCD off.

[aboxster]

Sorry - the URL is:

http://www.steves-digicams.com/2003_reviews/a70_pg2.html