Camera Equipment - by Mail in Winter Issues

The 50D I received for Xmas is defective (sticking shutter & no resulting picture with TTL). I'm returning it for an exchange or refund, haven't decided which option as yet. Since I live in northern Ontario Canada, this purchase is online and the product is mailed to me via Canada Post, three day delivery.

1) Temps here average between 24 & 35C below zero during the winter and I'm wondering if this cold might have an effect on cameras and lenses while they are enroute, in terms of condensation? When the camera arrived it I opened the box lid but left the camera in it's plastic covering for the whole day, to gradually warm up to room temp and hopefully avoid condensation.

The only other problem I've had was in the summer actually, and a lens arrived with the box soaking wet! Obviously it had encountered the rain or a puddle! That was returned as well.

I'd be interested in your thoughts about whether or not I should be waiting for spring and warmer weather to buy this camera or am I worrying too much.

2) The other issue I have with mailing is that vendors don't seem to pack the camera well enough for mailing IMHO. I've used three reputable camera suppliers and all have packed the same - the camera or lens in it's product box, is in a sturdy, appropriately-sized shipping box but only surrounded by a few peanuts and able to move around in the box. No bubble wrap or the like to keep the product from moving.

I'm about to make better packing a condition of getting another camera vs a refund but wondering if I am being overly picky? I imagine the camera being shook to-death enroute and that can't be good for the electronics!

Is their packing sufficient and the "norm" anyone else has experienced?

We pay so much for camera equipment and it just bugs me that new purchases are not handled with TLC before I get them!

Appreciate your thoughts...

You are probably OK for cold to warm. The problems can happen with thawing and freezing over and over again. It would take a good number of times to temperatures lower than 24 to 35 bellow (is that with windchill, because inanimate objects aren't effected by it). Packing is something that is hard to judge. If you felt it wasn't packed right, and damaged, then return it. You can also leave special packing instructions, and most reputable stores will usually fulfill that request.

I'd not worry about weather "cold" but damaged packages on a regular occurrence, I'd be in contact with the local post office and Canada Post HQ.

Amazon is horrendous at packaging IMHO. Have stopped ordering big-ticket camera items from them because 2x I've received lenses in their original packaging, but packed with maybe one or two air bags and no peanuts in a box that allowed them to move around quite a bit. Never had a problem with B&H's packaging techniques though. They know how to pack.

Besides that, I would think manufacturers field test their equipment for rough handling to make sure they don't break at the slightest jostle.

Thanks Sean,

Those temps aren't with wind chill, we can go down into the -40C when that's a factor. I feel better about that issue now, thanks, it's something I've always wondered about.

This vendor hasn't been that responsive to past requests for better packing so I will make it a repurchase condition this time around and see if that gets more of a positive response. They do ship only priority mail which gets a bit better handling by the post office which I'm grateful for. Our regular postal service leaves a lot to be desired!

Thanks again, its always helpful to bounce these things off someone...