how to make my canon dslr look like new (again)?

ride5000 wrote in post #15337189
what if he goes all in, and gets a new shell for the body, and swaps that on? is that absolutely dishonest? does that somehow make the camera more reliable/less used, even though it is a completely superficial change?

Here is a test for you. Say there are two identical cameras, both have only 500 shots through them, both look flawless...mint. But one was dropped resulting in the prism getting dented and it's body shell was replaced. Given you know about this drop, which of these two identical looking cameras would you buy if they were identically priced?

There are paint pens made for touching up guns that do a pretty decent job on cameras. I got one that was black matte in color, and it was a little bit too matte, so maybe the glossy would be better.

Hogloff wrote in post #15337330
Here is a test for you. Say there are two identical cameras, both have only 500 shots through them, both look flawless...mint. But one was dropped resulting in the prism getting dented and it's body shell was replaced. Given you know about this drop, which of these two identical looking cameras would you buy if they were identically priced?

Or, would you (OP) be okay with finding out the hard way that you paid a premium for said fallen camera...ie you were never told and something required you to send it in for repair.

the.forumer wrote in post #15336680
i'm not sure why you would consider that as 'hiding the actual condition'. in the first place, the working condition is perfect, it's just the exterior has a bit of minor flaws here and there, making it less appealing than a 1st hand camera.

if i was the buyer, i wouldn't mind the seller helping me to do that..

Just sell as is, you may get little less money. That is it.

cdifoto wrote in post #15337329
If he discloses it, it doesn't matter what he does. If he keeps it a secret, that's worse. Internals are more important than cosmetics, and by replacing the shell just for resale you're hiding its true condition.

that makes a pretty strong assumption that the shell indicates a true condition (whatever that means).

Hogloff wrote in post #15337330
Here is a test for you. Say there are two identical cameras, both have only 500 shots through them, both look flawless...mint. But one was dropped resulting in the prism getting dented and it's body shell was replaced. Given you know about this drop, which of these two identical looking cameras would you buy if they were identically priced?

well, who replaced the body shell?

was it canon?

was it a 3rd party repair shop?

was it the previous owner?

does it matter?

i can **** up a camera really badly and leave absolutely no marks. what does that tell you?

it tells me that buying used based on what the thing looks like is futile in the first place.

If you want to sell it, its one thing but if you want to keep it? My 60D is now 2 years old and going strong but all the rubber bits are fading to a whitish colour. It saddens me to see my imaging partner is getting ''grey hairs''. is there a way to stop the fading of the rubber bits?

Do what you want with it. These type of questions get asked a lot on here & people rant don't do this, you shouldn't do that, that's dishonest, compare it with such & such.

If you want to tidy the camera up before you sell it then go ahead & get on with it

More 'on topic' I don't know what is the best thing to use though to restore sorry

ride5000 wrote in post #15337570
that makes a pretty strong assumption that the shell indicates a true condition (whatever that means).

well, who replaced the body shell?

was it canon?

was it a 3rd party repair shop?

was it the previous owner?

does it matter?

i can **** up a camera really badly and leave absolutely no marks. what does that tell you?

it tells me that buying used based on what the thing looks like is futile in the first place.

So you would choose the camera that was dinged over the pristine one.

Sure, the body condition is but one indication of how well the camera might function...but it is an indication if the camera was dropped or banged hard enough to scratch or dent it. Given a choice, I would not purchase a camera with dings or major scratches.

In any case, covering these scratches or dings is just being dishonest.

LeeRatters wrote in post #15337605
Do what you want with it. These type of questions get asked a lot on here & people rant don't do this, you shouldn't do that, that's dishonest, compare it with such & such.

If you want to tidy the camera up before you sell it then go ahead & get on with it

More 'on topic' I don't know what is the best thing to use though to restore sorry

Quickly jotting down names of people I would not purchase equipment from.

If it has any nicks or paint missing I use a black sharpie. Blends in perfectly with Canon black.

Hogloff wrote in post #15337680
Quickly jotting down names of people I would not purchase equipment from.

Am I on that list then?

LeeRatters wrote in post #15337726
Am I on that list then?

Nope. Every Brit I know is honest down to their bones.

Hogloff wrote in post #15337680
Quickly jotting down names of people I would not purchase equipment from.

i was just thinking the same thing.

Hogloff wrote in post #15337779
Nope. Every Brit I know is honest down to their bones.

That's good to hear

The fact of the matter is you can't make it like new and indeed its external condition may be indicative of its internal condition depending on the appearance. I wonder if that may be your main concern? I personally don't find it difficult to properly care for a camera cosmetically. Even my 1st real quality camera, a Retina "large" C, is in excellent condition in spite of being 54 years old. The leather is great, thanks to an occasional treatment with some leather conditioner. I also had it totally rebuilt by a retired Kodak tech a few years back. I can with confidence tell a prospective buyer (not that it is for sale) that it is in excellent condition both internall and externally. Further, I can sleep at night.

In line with what Hogloff said, "Every Brit I know is honest down to their bones" I am almost a Brit, just first born USA.