Major problems with my D30

[bigspam]

I've had my D30 since mid June and had been very happy with it shooting 1800 plus pics.
I've been generally pleased with the results.
HOWEVER...In late August It began to act eratically, giving errors while writing occasionally at first and refusing to set off the strobe when called for.
Then it went haywire, Starting in Focusing Zone mode everytime I turned it on making shooting possible only after hitting the FZ button and then giving you only one chance to shoot.
Most back buttons failed to work and the review would only hold on for 1 second.
The mail dial has no effect on shutter speed or aperture selection when in TV or AV modes.
I couldn't erease a chosen image when I could get one visible.
Reformat was the only in-camera choice.

I returned the body to the Canon Irvine repair facility early this month and got it back in less than 2 weeks.

In the first 200 images at one shoot and then a few more the following week showed the camera to be back as I had first bought it.

But this Saturday's shoot all the old problems are back and I must now return it again to the factory sevice center.

Has this been a problem with this Canon?

I still own 4 other film Canons and had 2 others as well, and in part, that is why I chose the D30 for my digital as I have never had a problem with any of the others.

Any insights will be most appreciated.

[Gomez Photography]

I had Flash sync problems. The third time that I had to send it back, I demanded a new body,and they gave me one. So far, so good, but time will tell. At least Canon Backed up their product. They claim that these problems were do to voltage feedback from my flash system. Well I started to use a Pocket Wizard (3 volts top) and the sync failed twice more. I would use a radio slave if you are using off camera strobes. Make sure your camera firmware is updated. If you did it your self ????? If Canon did it Make them give you a new body. After all this, I will be purchasing their new digital body,because of the way Canon handled the situation. If they didn't make it right, I was going to sell all my Canon and change to Nikon. I'm happy to stay with Canon.

[bigspam]

They did upgrade the firmware before it was shipped(I had a note in the original box stating so) and they again upgraded it when they repaired it (1.0.2.0).

I use both a 550EX and 380 EX.
If it's feedback, its' from their recomended strobes.
I hadn't used the Strobes since I got it back so that can't be it.

Something else that was extremely strange was during some low light slow shots, the integral flash tried to deploy and retracted itself, then began cycling up and down on its own. I had to shut it down to get that to stop and the rest of the shoot was just the less disturbing, but frustrating kind.

Just read the specs etc. of the 1D...It's got me drooling..LOL

[Gomez Photography]

I'd start now on getting a replacement body.

[bigspam]

Well I spoke with the Irvine facility today and they are picking it up in the AM.

You should have seen it this morning when I tried again to erease an image off the CF. When I finally got the erease screen to show up, it began to flash the erease. canel, all, icons in sequence.:look:

I don't know...I was liking this camera sooo much.
Dragged out my F-1ns and EOS IX and dusted them off.

Tried to convince them to do a disgruntled trade up to a D1....No dice.:(

I had to try.:)

[Gomez Photography]

If you get a new D30, keep it in the box. Demand a new box with the SN on it too. Sell it as new ,then get the 1D ,you said D1 in you last reply. I'm sure you ment 1D because Canon is not going to replace the camera with a Nikon. I dealt with louis Casello at the New Jersy Factory Service Center Jamesburg Rd. Speak only with him. He has the power to make things happen. Goog luck
Michael

[bigspam]

Gomez Photography wrote:
If you get a new D30, keep it in the box. Demand a new box with the SN on it too. Sell it as new ,then get the 1D ,you said D1 in you last reply. I'm sure you ment 1D because Canon is not going to replace the camera with a Nikon. I dealt with louis Casello at the New Jersy Factory Service Center Jamesburg Rd. Speak only with him. He has the power to make things happen. Goog luck
Michael

Yes I did mean the 1D.....Good Idea, but I've been dealing with the Irvine Factory Center so I'll have to find someone to pressure.
Still haven't heard back other than the reciept of the body.
Reading the reviews of the 1D I'm not so sure about the noise at higher speeds.
Some of the sample shots I've seen posted make the D30 look more appealing at the 400 and 800 settings(I do a signifigant amount of shotting where a strobe is not an option and have used 1600 a few times with the D30with satifying results) but the speed of the 1D is attractive as well.

We'll see when I get it back again if they don't offer a new replacement tomorrow.