G3 lens problem -Cannon offers upgrade to G5

[jefsta]

I have had my G3 for 19 months. Yesterday I turned it on and the lens has stopped working. The display flashes "lens" and then shuts off. It looks like the lens is stuck. Sometimes it will work, other times it will not.

I searched the forum and found several others who have had the same problem. I called Cannon this morning. Since I am out of warranty, Canon said the minimum repair charge would be $175.00. The the rep offered to upgrade me to a G5 for $310, including shipping, and my G3.

What do you think? Should I fix it , upgrade to the G5 or spend the money on some other camera????

[Raj]

They cant offer you anything for G6 ? G5 is kinda old now + there is not much difference between G3 & G5, check comparison at dpreview.com.
Also check what the lowest market prices are for G5 & G6 currently before you make any decision ..

Just my 2 cents ....

[magicmikey]

I would push for that deal on a G6. You can buy a G6 for under $500 right now so $310 is a pretty good deal on the trade. If he won't go for it, find out how much he will go.

[archhill]

Jefsta,

The upside to this is that you keep the a/c power (not included with the G6 and retails I believe for about $40) the battery (another few bucks) and other accessories (and maybe a few more). The downside is what these other folks are saying + reviews that I've read that the G5 isn't as good a camera as the G3 (here come the flood of responses).

I was in the same boat as you except that I have some dead and hot pixels. I weighed my choices and have decided to see what it will cost to repair my G3 ($175 covers only the labor, parts, if any, are extra). The esitimate is free. If it costs too much I may go with the G5. They will not upgrade to a G6, at least not until the G7 is released I guess ;-)

Larry

[jefsta]

Thanks for the replies so far. Anybody else have any comments?

[Andy_T]

Archhill,

from which shop did you buy your camera?
This would be the first time that I hear that Canon did not include charger and battery with any of their cameras.

Of course, I've heard several times that some retailers offer a very low price for the camera, then take the battery and charger out and sell it to you on top ... arriving at the same price or even higher than a legitimate reseller.

I would definitely try to go for the G6, but I can see that the salesman would rather like to get rid of the G5.

Best regards,
Andy

[michael.luczkow]

G5s sell for 337 US Dollars at the store around here....

[xdjoynerx]

i would get the g5, but talk them down a little on the price... its refurbed afterall.

[gkuenning]

Just for parameters, it occurred to me that an alternative is to replace the G3 on Ebay. A quick search reveals that G3's are going for around $300 plus shipping.

If I were doing it, I'd look for a listing under "power shot" rather than "powershot"; the former is likely to draw fewer bids.

[Raj]

Just for parameters, it occurred to me that an alternative is to replace the G3 on Ebay. A quick search reveals that G3's are going for around $300 plus shipping.

If I were doing it, I'd look for a listing under "power shot" rather than "powershot"; the former is likely to draw fewer bids.

Are you talking about new G3's ?

[jera0005]

Same thing happened to my G2. They also offered me a trade in plus $310 to get a Refurbished G5. I'll pass.

[archhill]

Andythaler,

You must have misunderstood. The G6 comes without the a/c. When you trade in your G3 to Canon you KEEP the battery, a/c and everything else and they give you new full G5 kit: battery, a/c (or charger, whichever comes with the model), etc.

I wouldn't buy digital cameras off eBay. It's hard enough returning cameras to dealers when there is a problem (dead pixels). I had to send two G3s back as soon as I got them because of dead pixels. To me, the hassle's not worth it.

LT

[Paulo_M]

I just went thru the same deal and am waiting for the G5 to arrive

how did you do in the end? like the g5??