5Dii weather issue: THE POLL!

RDKirk wrote in post #7324768
What you don't know is specifically how the cameras were handled. We know they're not waterproof. That means the specifics of how non-waterproof cameras were handled in a salt-water environment makes all the difference in the world.

I agree we can't assume they were all subjected to identical conditions, but unless all 6 5Diis got dunked in salt water while every other body on the trip didn't, I think it's fair to assume all cameras on the boat received similar treatment/conditions unless told otherwise. If they dropped them in a drink, I would assume the report would have said that. The fact they point out it was an issue with JUST 5Diis w/o saying they were handled differently hints that all bodies on the trip were similarly treated.

Obviously they were used by different shooters, but those shooters then switched to backup bodies w/o issues... So what, they shot their 5Diis "wrong" in crappy conditions, then continued on with their other non sealed canon bodies also shooting "wrong" w/o having issues because of the weather?

we're both making assumptions here, but I feel mine are far more valid than yours. Clearly 6 bodies going down, ALL being 5Diis, hints that the issue is with the 5Dii in those conditions. Not JUST those particular shooters, not just those conditions. Sure, maybe all 3 were needed, but those shooters did keep shooting w/o issues with other cameras.

w/o being there I think I'll choose to assume it was the camera/weather combo with some help of the shooter. But since I own this particular body, shoot in what I consider the same conditions if not worse (and have with a 5D) I'd like to know if it is something they're entirely responsible for (but then why would canon fix it for free considering they have a very strict drowned camera policy?) or if it's the camera or what. Basically, do I need to baby my 5Dii, sell it for something else, or not worry about it?

no, there were 3 other 5Dii failures, and those were not owned by the guys who used rain covers and brought them out as soon as they got on the boat... Maybe they did, maybe they didn't. But you're making the presumption that these 5Dii owners were the only people that handle cameras in such a way they drown them. Who's assumption is more valid? Mine that the cameras would see similar conditions when in the same location with a bunch of average shooters, or yours that these 6 owners are the issue, yet canon offered to fix the bodies for free?

Canon seems to at least feel it's the camera, not the shooters.

Actually all assumptions not based on verified data are equally invalid.

The only thing we know for sure is that the cameras that were repaired showed corrosion around the shutter release, which means they were exposed to salt water at that body location.

We don't know if the other cameras that didn't fail had ever been exposed to salt water at that body location. So we really know nothing about which to draw a valid conclusion.

If your conclusion about good customer service is that the company must have been in the wrong, you're obviously the kind of customer it better pays to draw a hard line with.

your obviously so hung up on the numbers you can't conclude the 5Dii has an issue so I guess we're done here.

Oh, and I worked IN customer service for a few years, so yeah, your assumption there is ALSO invalid.

and BTW the ENTIRE POINT of this thread is to get better numbers so we CAN make some better assumptions about the 5Dii instead of just going with 23% ****ting the bed in Antarctica.

and apparently below freezing in UT (in a bag) is better for a 5Dii than above freezing in Antarctica, who knew?!

http://vimeo.com/31551​82?pg=embed&sec=315518​2

Good Lord.

Back in my younger days, I used to hang out on Video Game forums, because, well I play video games sometimes. After a while, I moved on, in large part because I was tired of reading posts by whiney little simps who found it more entertaining to **** and moan constantly for no apparent reason.

So now I spend most of my time here. And......

I am CONSTANTLY amazed at how easily supposedly educated people are led around by the nose by unsubstantiated rumor and partial truths.

Doesn't anyone have a cynical bone in their body any more?

Oh wait -- they do, at least when it come to "the sky is falling".

Anyone who reads the LL information should come away with one question "gee, I might want to know more about that."

I thought this poll might have something to do with that. But, alas, I was wrong. Once again I read something bad about a Canon camera, only to see a bunch of people jump on the bandwagon, assuming everything that they read is the gospel truth.

Do you think it is the gospel?

Ben, plain and simple, the information from LL is something to be filed away under "Cameras not to take to Antarctica". If you get 100 answers to your poll in the negative, that information should be filed under totally useless, since you have NO EMPIRICAL DATA on which to judge the answers you received.

Can't we all just go out and take a picture?

I crossed the River Styx with my MkII and didnt have a problem.

My overall take on this kind of subject is that I buy my cameras to try to capture good photos. I have backups and take them with me when it's important to me to 'get the shot'. While I'm not a rich man, I'm also not one to worry too much if a piece of equipment gets damaged or destroyed. And no, I don't have my equipment "insured"....just 'self insurance'....if it gets lost, tough luck.

Point is, that even if I had a 5D2 ( I don't ), I would use it like I do all the others, that is, I would not baby it, but I would not be abusive either. I'd just use it....it would either do the job or it wouldn't. If it didn't I'd get it fixed, or sell it and move on to something different.

Life is too short to pass up on the opportunities to get great shots. Shoot it and worry about the rest later. I was out in the cold today shooting photos of the horses....it's funny, not once did I even think about the potential reliability of the camera. But I did get a couple of good shots of one of my favorite horses !

As a further note, I've been shooting for 45 years, and I still have not lost, or completely destroyed a camera or lens. I've broken a few things, but they have all been fixable.
I think folks worry too much.

When it comes to bad weather I either take a camera built for tough situations, or a camera I don't care about. Right now that would be either the 1D Mark II or my Rebel XTi or 20D and 30D. I have used my 5D Mark II in cold Toronto weather but nothing that includes water/high humidity. The thing is... I have taken my Rebel XTi out to freezing cold weather, had frost develop on the camera and lens, brought it back inside to let the ice melt, brought it back outside to have the camera completely freeze solid from ice built up inside the camera, brought it back inside, let it defrost, and turned it back on to use it again the next day... If my Rebel can survive the crap I put it through, I am confident that a 40D or 5D can do the same. Of course if I had a choice, I would rather bring a camera more suitable for freezing wet weather.

brianch wrote in post #7327432
When it comes to bad weather I either take a camera built for tough situations, or a camera I don't care about. Right now that would be either the 1D Mark II or my Rebel XTi or 20D and 30D. I have used my 5D Mark II in cold Toronto weather but nothing that includes water/high humidity. The thing is... I have taken my Rebel XTi out to freezing cold weather, had frost develop on the camera and lens, brought it back inside to let the ice melt, brought it back outside to have the camera completely freeze solid from ice built up inside the camera, brought it back inside, let it defrost, and turned it back on to use it again the next day... If my Rebel can survive the crap I put it through, I am confident that a 40D or 5D can do the same. Of course if I had a choice, I would rather bring a camera more suitable for freezing wet weather.

No offense, but that can't be true. You see, some folks went to Antarctica and their cameras failed from a little sea spray. Based on their experiences, your story is simply impossible.

[/bitter sarcasm]

mattograph wrote in post #7327451
No offense, but that can't be true. You see, some folks went to Antarctica and their cameras failed from a little sea spray. Based on their experiences, your story is simply impossible.

[/bitter sarcasm]

I understand, I am now going to burn all my canon cameras now in the fireplace to keep myself warm. Better now then later. Cause when I bring them out to use tomorrow in the winter morning, they are going to break anyways, might as well break them now.

brianch wrote in post #7327545
I understand, I am now going to burn all my canon cameras now in the fireplace to keep myself warm. Better now then later. Cause when I bring them out to use tomorrow in the winter morning, they are going to break anyways, might as well break them now.

Hold up on that. I just read that several people died when the burned their canon cameras for warmth in a closed home with zero ventilation.

I don't know about you guys, but that concerns me. If I can't burn my plastic and magnesium canon camera in my sealed home for warmth, well, that's something I think that Canon needs to address. Has anyone heard any reports on how the D700 performs as fuel?

Ok. So we've arrived at the point that it's a calculated gamble taking them near the sea.

And that the 1D series are your best bet for that.

bohlenphotography wrote in post #7329783
Ok. So we've arrived at the point that it's a calculated gamble taking them near the sea.

I don't think so. I think we've arrived at the point where some folks wrote on the internet they had some failures in antarctica. Nothing more than that.

....hey.....if I read it on the internet, it HAS to be true

mattograph wrote in post #7329809
I don't think so. I think we've arrived at the point where some folks wrote on the internet they had some failures in antarctica. Nothing more than that.

From what the Canon service center told them, I think we can go farther than that. We can say with good confidence that if you get salt water into the 5D2 shutter release, you'll get corrosion.

That may be just as true of any other camera, but we don't have any positive examples of other cameras getting salt water on their shutter releases.