Service old or buy new camera?

Opinions please. I have a 300D camera but I think it must have got dusty inside - one of the AF points only works some of the time. I've tried cleaning the contacts (no improvement) and it goes wrong on all my lenses, so I know it's a body problem. I could send it for servicing and cleaning (I assume that would fix it) or I could use the problem as an excuse to upgrade my camera to a 400D. What do you think I should do?

rbkeen wrote in post #3865652
Opinions please. I have a 300D camera but I think it must have got dusty inside - one of the AF points only works some of the time. I've tried cleaning the contacts (no improvement) and it goes wrong on all my lenses, so I know it's a body problem. I could send it for servicing and cleaning (I assume that would fix it) or I could use the problem as an excuse to upgrade my camera to a 400D. What do you think I should do?

Buy yourself a very new and super nice 40D camera and your set for many
years to come.

Even if you sould service the 300D it's allways an older camera. And deep
inside I know and yoy know you need (want, dream) of getting a new up to
fate camera ...

Good luck.

Salleke wrote in post #3865724
Buy yourself a very new and super nice 40D camera and your set for many
years to come.

Even if you sould service the 300D it's allways an older camera. And deep
inside I know and yoy know you need (want, dream) of getting a new up to
fate camera ...

Good luck.

Yeah right, about two, three at the most..
However, I agree with everything else.

Excellent excuse rbkeen, good luck with your new camera!

go with the xti

Send it in and get a quote... but if it's anything more than double digits, I'd buy something new. 300D is a couple of generations old now and you might enjoy some of the enhancements it's gone through.

Thanks folks, I just needed some moral support. I'll buy a new one and enjoy myself.

My D30 just recently died and I upgraded to a 30D. The difference in focusing alone is amazing. I never realized how "off" my old D30 was.

Go with a new one!

Salleke wrote in post #3865724
Buy yourself a very new and super nice 40D camera and your set for many
years to come.

Until the 40D gets dusty and the AF doesn't work right. I would send it to Canon for a repair quote and go from there.

I have a 300D, I have been debating on upgrading it to a 30D or 40D but the main reason for the upgrade would be AI Servo plus a few other features. My mate has a 30D and we took some test shots using my lenses and same settings etc... quality wise there is not much in it (to my untrained eye) other than the increased resolution and has made me consider keeping my 300D a bit longer until either the 40D's come down or a 30D comes up a good price.

I could just get a 400D if all I really wanted was AI Servo I guess but I have decided to go for an XXD when I upgrade.

If you get your 300D sorted out, its still worth a couple of quid second hand on ebay so it may still be worth doing just to help pay for the 30D/40D upgrade

<tuffty/>

^ u sure? xti new for 599 at canoga!!!

Personally, I'd upgrade. Spending a hundred bucks or so on a camera not worth much more than that doesn't seem like the best investment, as something else (like the shutter) can break and soon, you've spent more than what the camera is worth to fix it.

However, if you want to continue shooting for the least investment, then repairing it may be the way to go.

Good luck

The 400D is smaller than your 300D. Is that OK for you? It wouldn't be for me - I feel like I have to operate a 350D or 400D with my fingertips.

-js