350D/350XT Non-permanent serial numbers

[vandec1]

Hi guys!

Although I have a 10D, I have been checking out the 350D in the UK (350XT stateside of course) prior to purchasing. There is limited stock in the UK and what there is has been issued by Canon to the 2 major retailers Jessops and Dixons and after 3 weeks they are all out of stock! However I have checked this camera out at 2 branches of Dixons Photographic (their demo cameras) - 1 in Scotland and 1 in England - some 200 miles apart. However, I was worried that as the 1st camera inspected had only 3 visible digits of the serial number showing and that when I moisted my finger and ran it over those digits they RUBBED OFF :(. The other camera only had a few smears of black where the serial number used to be - again a moist figure removed that. It's as if they were printed on an inkjet. My worry is that having a camera without a visible serial number may prove troublesome if you had to return the camera under warranty or wished to sell it on in the future. Has any other 350 user noticed this trait or am I just paranoid about my pending purchase?

[hikari]

This seems to be normal.
The serial number from my 350D was gone in a week.
Fortunately the serial number is part of the EXIF data as well, so that the camera can always be identified.
I notified Canon via the shop where I bought this camera. The reply was that this is normal. I find this difficult to believe, but apart from this serial number thing I have no other complaints regarding the camera. It is just perfect for me.

Enjoy,
Herman.

By the way, I think this thread is better of in the 'Canon EOS digital cameras' forum. After all we are discussing the serial number label on a camera body ;)

[DavoMrMac]

Also, if you register your camera on Canon's website, to take advantage of the freebies, then you have another record of it there too.

[BigWorm]

This has happened to mine, too. I had already registered on Canon's website, and just to be safe I mailed in the reg card as well. I called Canon and spoke to a tech rep about it, and he said that I could, if I wished, mail them the camera back and they would print a new serial number label and re-affix it to the camera. I asked him if this one would stay put, and he said yes. I don't know if I believe him or not. He said the turnaround would be a total of 7-10 business days.

B.W.

EDIT: Off-topic, Davo, how are you likeing that Tamron 18-200? I had considered that one as an all-in-one walkaround, but have read some negative comments about the image quality. Could you PM me your thoughts so we don't hijack this thread, please? Thanks!

[vandec1]

hikari / DavoMrMac / BigWorm

Thanks for the responses! I actually meant to initially post this in the EOS Camera section...

It appears that this wipe-away ink is the norm then - not very satisfactory. I'll just wait until the dealers get some stock in, then I'll get one. Thanks again for your comments, appreciated - at least I now know the s/no. is not lost forever :D .

How can I transfer this to the correct section?

[hikari]

Glad it helped.

I don't know if you can transfer this topic to another section. Usually this is something that only the administrator can do. So let's hope that Pekka is reading this topic :rolleyes:


hikari / DavoMrMac / BigWorm

Thanks for the responses! I actually meant to initially post this in the EOS Camera section...

It appears that this wipe-away ink is the norm then - not very satisfactory. I'll just wait until the dealers get some stock in, then I'll get one. Thanks again for your comments, appreciated - at least I now know the s/no. is not lost forever :D .

How can I transfer this to the correct section?

[vandec1]

hikari

It helped that much that when I found Jessops had just got their 2nd batch of 350D's in this morning I just had to have one :D. Well today is my birthday so I thought why not treat myself - but don't tell the wife...

It's a dinky little body which is just right for a full time carry around 'pocket' camera - well, it is until you put a decent zoom lens on it!

[hikari]

hikari

It helped that much that when I found Jessops had just got their 2nd batch of 350D's in this morning I just had to have one :D. Well today is my birthday so I thought why not treat myself - but don't tell the wife...

It's a dinky little body which is just right for a full time carry around 'pocket' camera - well, it is until you put a decent zoom lens on it!

Happy birthday to you my friend. I am glad our posts helped you make this decision.
There has been a lot of discussion on the net regarding the small size of the body. I have pretty big hands but I have no troubles at all with the size of the body. I like to travel light, I frequently carry the camera and binoculars on my bike, so small and light are actually desired properties for me. Even with a larger tele or zoom it handles fine as long as you have your left hand under the lens to support camera and glass. The right hand is there just to operate the buttons. This is how one is supposed to handle a SLR anyway, but a lot of people seem to have learned otherwise thanks to the point-and-shoot cameras, most of which are designed to be handled differently.

Happy shooting.

BTW: Thank you Pekka for moving this topic! It is good to know that an administrator is monitoring discussions on the background. ;)

[vandec1]

Yes, Pekka - thanks for moving this post.

hikari

I agree with your comments on using your left hand to support the lens barrel - that's the way I hold hold it and in my limited use so far find it easy to use. Even the menu navigation is fine - some reviews have mentioned it being a bit clumsy compared to 10/20D, but I find it easy intuitive. The palm-size body is great making it an ideal everyday camera. It's definately one of my best buys, I did consider the 300D as a second body but I'm glad I waited. I also have a 10D with battery grip which, after a little while it, becomes a lead weight in your hands! The 350D is great - I'll just have to refrain from buying the grip or I'll be back to square one. At the weekend I'll try the 350D out with my lenses and look forward to viewing the results.