Somebody help me!!!

Oh geez, I can't believe how stuff like this piles on. I'm leaving for my first ever Alaska trip in 4 weeks and my camera just took a dump. It's a T1i and the display won't come up at all, though I think it's metering properly and taking photos OK. I can't see the display to set my settings or to review the pictures. I had it out earlier today and it was working perfectly, now it's kaput.

I called Canon customer service and they explained how to do a "hard reboot" or something like that but it also didn't work. They explained the set fee for service (but didn't tell me what the fee is) and the customer loyalty program. My camera is out of warranty but it's still fairly new and fairly lightly used. I hate to pay the set fee for the repair but more than that, I hate having to wait and the uncertainty about whether the camera will be back in time for my trip.

My wife has already given me the go ahead to purchase new (I'd probably use the customer loyalty program) but I'm just starting to learn how to use the T1i and I'm not sure how difficult the other systems would be for me to pick up this close to what's going to be the most important trip of my life. Oye.....

Does anyone have any input or advice or at least a kind word? I want to vomit.....

As far as regular operations go, any of the current EOS camera will do you just fine. I would suggest going to a retail outlet and trying some of them. The 60D and 7D are more expensive, but you get more camera. The T4i is just out and offers 95% of what you get with a 60D, but it costs more (in kit). I think if you are used to using Av, Tv and Manual with your T1i, you should consider the 60D or 7D. The controls are just flat-out easier to use. If you want to stay with a Rebel, they are good cameras also. Not many people could tell the difference between a shot with the T1i and a T4i or a 7D. I upgraded to a 60D over a year ago and can't bring myself to sell my T1i. It is still the same really good camera it was when I bought it.

Good luck with your search. And don't vomit, it is so hard to take pictures while yakking.

eesh....sorry to hear that Bill
is there anyway you could pick up a used Xsi (craigslist, pawn, etc.) or something that would be similar to use and get the feel of?
Just re-sell it when you get back and worry about your T1i then?

On the T1i, is there a button on the back labeled "Display" that cycles thru the different display modes, turning the Histogram on/off etc etc? I think that on some models one of the modes it cycles thru is OFF!

Accessoire wrote in post #14617698
eesh....sorry to hear that Bill
is there anyway you could pick up a used Xsi (craigslist, pawn, etc.) or something that would be similar to use and get the feel of?
Just re-sell it when you get back and worry about your T1i then?

That might not be a bad idea. My problem is that I live in the sticks and I don't really have anyplace close to look at cameras, nor do I have a ton of decent bodies for sale nearby that I could pick up without having shipped (which wouldn't be a deal killer I suppose). I'm leaning toward just getting another T1i or possible a 60D (would love the 7D but I don't want to spring for the money at this point) through the customer loyalty program.

The interface is easier to learn the the functions themselves. When you say you were just starting to learn the camera, were you referring to the camera specific interface or the DSLR functionality in general? If you understand how these cameras work just fine I would move up to the 60D or T4i. More resolution and better high iso, which you may find useful. The flip screen can be handy as well. If you were referring to the camera functions in general I would go with the t4i so as to retain the auto settings you're familiar with, while getting better overall performance.

WaltA wrote in post #14617713
On the T1i, is there a button on the back labeled "Display" that cycles thru the different display modes, turning the Histogram on/off etc etc? I think that on some models one of the modes it cycles thru is OFF!

I've turned it on several times and it's done nothing but I've also turned it on twice in the last 10 minutes and the display came up very briefly before dying so I don't think that it's set to the wrong mode somehow. I've repeatedly hit the menu and display buttons and have tried half shutter without luck. I think something's wrong. I'm hopeful that maybe it picked up a bit of moisture, although I've had it nowhere today that it would have, and that maybe it will resolve itself.

Scatterbrained wrote in post #14617716
The interface is easier to learn the the functions themselves. When you say you were just starting to learn the camera, were you referring to the camera specific interface or the DSLR functionality in general? If you understand how these cameras work just fine I would move up to the 60D or T4i. More resolution and better high iso, which you may find useful. The flip screen can be handy as well. If you were referring to the camera functions in general I would go with the t4i so as to retain the auto settings you're familiar with, while getting better overall performance.

I'm starting to understand the manual functions and use them more than half of the time but I still like the option of putting it in sports mode or full auto at those times when I'm in a real hurry and don't want to stupidly miss any shots while I fiddle around with it.

sambarino wrote in post #14617689
As far as regular operations go, any of the current EOS camera will do you just fine. I would suggest going to a retail outlet and trying some of them. The 60D and 7D are more expensive, but you get more camera. The T4i is just out and offers 95% of what you get with a 60D, but it costs more (in kit). I think if you are used to using Av, Tv and Manual with your T1i, you should consider the 60D or 7D. The controls are just flat-out easier to use. If you want to stay with a Rebel, they are good cameras also. Not many people could tell the difference between a shot with the T1i and a T4i or a 7D. I upgraded to a 60D over a year ago and can't bring myself to sell my T1i. It is still the same really good camera it was when I bought it.

Good luck with your search. And don't vomit, it is so hard to take pictures while yakking.

Thanks for the input, I had previously been thinking about the 60D anyway but wasn't sure it was enough of an upgrade to justify the purchase when my T1i was just fine. Now I may be forced into buying something.

That does sound like something wet or bad connection.
My condolences.

For the sake of argument, lets say that I HAD to purchase a new camera because I choose not to repair this one and it doesn't resolve its own issues. Is the 28-135 refurb a lens I should consider through the cusomer loyalty program? I presently have the kit lens, an EF-S 55-250, a Tamron 18-270VC, a Kenko 300Pro DGX extender (on the way) and a cheap set of extension tubes. Oh, I also have an older 28-200 Tamron LD with autofocus but no VC and a 28-76 Canon. I'd be willing to sell one or more of these lenses to get better glass and/or to pay for the new camera (if I need one). Any thoughts?

Bill Ragosta wrote in post #14617714
That might not be a bad idea. My problem is that I live in the sticks and I don't really have anyplace close to look at cameras, nor do I have a ton of decent bodies for sale nearby that I could pick up without having shipped (which wouldn't be a deal killer I suppose). I'm leaning toward just getting another T1i or possible a 60D (would love the 7D but I don't want to spring for the money at this point) through the customer loyalty program.

RE: Canon Loyalty Program:
Just make sure you KEEP your T1i, and buy a Canon point and shoot from ebay or a thrift store. I just sold my totally broken and very used XT on ebay for $70. I'm sure you can make MORE than that with the T1i! So, buy a $10 broken Canon for the CLP!

My wife just walked in and said something about putting it in a bag of rice. Is there any validity to that, should I do it or am I asking for even more trouble?

maidmarian4 wrote in post #14617759
RE: Canon Loyalty Program:
Just make sure you KEEP your T1i, and buy a Canon point and shoot from ebay or a thrift store. I just sold my totally broken and very used XT on ebay for $70. I'm sure you can make MORE than that with the T1i! So, buy a $10 broken Canon for the CLP!

I have an older and reasonably good Canon point and shoot that I was going to sell on Ebay anyway but the last time that I tried to fire it up to make sure it functioned properly, it didn't work either so it would go back to Canon rather than the T1i.

Bill Ragosta wrote in post #14617760
My wife just walked in and said something about putting it in a bag of rice. Is there any validity to that, should I do it or am I asking for even more trouble?

Assuming the issue is moisture, it could help. If I were you I'd be looking at a T4i or 60D. The 60D does have the auto modes like "sports", "night", "closeup", and has better ergonomics for when shooting in manual mode.