Checking a New Camera in Store

Hi to all,
I am planning to buy a new camera (Probably it will be the 5DII) in 2wks time and to tell you the truth I am a bit worried about the quality control issues that have been raised recently in various forums. To make matters worse for me I'll not be buying the camera from my home country but during a 3 day stay in London. To get buy it from my home country would mean spending much more and having to put if on order. So if I discover that there is something wrong with the camera when I get back home it won't be a simple matter to returning it to the store I bought it from and having it exchanged.
So I want to know how to go about testing the camera before purchasing it in store, if the store keeper will actually let me. For example how would you check for dead pixels in a raw file? Will these show up on the rear LCD panel, because, as far as I know the image there is just a converted JPEG image?
Thanks for your help,

Etienne

The LCD image is a .jpg if I'm not mistaken. What I did was to take my own CF card and shoot a bunch of different ISOs and other settings in RAW and JPG. Then went home to check them out on my computer. Found the BlackDots. This was some time ago. After the BDs were fixed I bought the 5D2. It's a nice camera. Full frame is great. High ISO is improved. Image quality is marginally better than my 40D if you pixel-peep. It is slow when pulling the trigger though. And the Frame Rate is noticably slower (agonizingly) than my 40D. So I'm keeping both. Good luck - I hope you don't get a lemon.

ecassar,

I don't know where you live, but be aware that the £ is dropping like a stone against other currencys right now. This is probably good news and the reason you are considering the purchase here. But things change quickly in the currency markets so before you leave for the UK, double check that the price is confirmed.

Many retailers prices are going up 20 or even 30% right now. See the thread about Warehouse Express.

Thanks for your replies,
So I'll probably have to just buy it and hope for the best, SwingBopper, because I don't think that there is a way of checking for dead pixels in store.
Incidentally I live in Malta and there is only one supplier here, so the prices will be sky high for sure. I was planning to get it from Jessops. The price advertised by them right now for the 5DII is £2240.00. I know that they are not the cheapest store in the UK, but in the past I never had any issues with camera gear that I bought from them. Do you think that I should check other stores as well Lowner?

Thanks

I think the QC at Cannon is as good or better than anywhere else; most everything is fine. Remember that you see only a small percentage of the overall market here at POTN. Plus, people are 10 times more likely to share bad experiences than good experiences so you read a disproportionate about of bad stuff.

I think that Canon's warranty and service is fine.

I, for one, am very happy I chose Canon over Nikon or anything else out there. Perfect, no. Best, yes.

ecasser,

In my limited experience of Jessops I'd say that they are reputable, but certainly not the cheapest nor do they have the best informed staff in the world.

In your position all you can do is give the camera as thorough a test as you can while still in the UK. Returning it from Malta is going to be awkward and time consuming if nothing else. Make sure you discuss this issue with the staff and get something in writing so they cannot deny things later.

I'm very lucky to have a good relationship with my local "Castle Cameras" in Salisbury. I value their honesty and friendship and will use them rather than buy on the net, even if it costs a few pounds more. Although I have been known to spend some time "discussing" price with them!

I just found out that the 5DII is currently priced at £2096.98 at Jacobs. I never bought from them. Anyone knows if they are reputable enought and have helpful professional staff?

Thanks