It's back.... [Archive] - Digital Camera Resource Page

cdifoto

04-19-2006, 08:48 AM

From the repair sheets:

Digital Rebel XT (Black): Adjusted Focus & Exposure; Checked all & cleaned to factory spec with lens.

Digital Rebel XT (Silver): Adjusted Focus & Exposure; Checked all & cleaned to factory spec with lens.

EF 50mm f/1.4 USM: Replaced cam barrel, focusing rack gear, focusing scale. Checked all & adjusted to factory spec with body.

EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM: Replaced collar. Checked all & adjusted to factory spec with body.

EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM: Replaced rear lens assembly, collar, & screw. Checked all & adjusted to factory spec with body.

------------------------------------------------

Apparently it wasn't just me. Everything needed at least a little TLC or even overhaul. The 50 though...never expected that!

Initial test results seem positive. I'm definitely going to have to upgrade bodies sooner than expected BUT the good random shots I snapped outside did outweigh the bad ones. In other words, my true focus locks seem to be in the majority rather than minority. Real-life testing to follow.

Bluedog

04-19-2006, 09:01 AM

Good to see its back ... whatever happen to Quality Control > :confused:

aparmley

04-19-2006, 09:09 AM

Ya - I'm so paranoid right now. I don't even want to think about this stuff. . . :mad:

jamison55

04-19-2006, 09:27 AM

Wow, that's a major overhaul! Quick sell the XT bodies while they're perfect. The 30D is calling...

PS - did you have a big group cuddle when your family came home again?

cdifoto

04-19-2006, 09:39 AM

Wow, that's a major overhaul! Quick sell the XT bodies while they're perfect. The 30D is calling...

PS - did you have a big group cuddle when your family came home again?

LOL... the first thought after "damn they're clean!" was "wonder if I should sell them right now!?!?"

No group hug but I did stare at them all for a few minutes like long lost children...

Bluedog

04-19-2006, 09:44 AM

QC _ is probably figured by its too expensive vs the percentage of impenitent users that never know too or even realize their equipment might be a problem. Cheaper to just repair on a per customer basis I suppose.

cdifoto

04-19-2006, 09:50 AM

aparmley

04-19-2006, 10:01 AM

Consider how many XT users probably never get past their kit lens. With all that DOF and not shooting in any challenging situations....basically glorified point n shooting, they'd never know their camera or lens was problematic.

never had a kit but I think I am in that grey area - Is my camera problematic? don't know. Most likely a limitation to the entry level body - could be. What do I do? hmmm I'll let my indecisive brain chew on it a while. . . LMAO!

what I want to know Don, is the performance of your newly repaird gear noticable? I mean, do you take photos with now and go - yep look at that, spot on - they fixed. Or is it so so??? That what I really want to know. Is it night and day? When you first sent the stuff in it sounded like if Canon fixed the issues, performance should be clearly better. . . Is it clearly better? ? ?

FWIW - I'd sell now. with the proceeds, 30D + Bgrip + 3 batteries and one of those double chargers! =)

cdifoto

04-19-2006, 10:31 AM

never had a kit but I think I am in that grey area - Is my camera problematic? don't know. Most likely a limitation to the entry level body - could be. What do I do? hmmm I'll let my indecisive brain chew on it a while. . . LMAO!

what I want to know Don, is the performance of your newly repaird gear noticable? I mean, do you take photos with now and go - yep look at that, spot on - they fixed. Or is it so so??? That what I really want to know. Is it night and day? When you first sent the stuff in it sounded like if Canon fixed the issues, performance should be clearly better. . . Is it clearly better? ? ?

FWIW - I'd sell now. with the proceeds, 30D + Bgrip + 3 batteries and one of those double chargers! =)

It's definitely better. The question is...can I still RELY on it or am I outstripping the limitations of this level of camera body? That I don't know. I do know I rarely ever shoot in ideal conditions. I have to do some real-world shooting to see. Today's laundry day so I can't really get out to shoot yet...I ran out of clothes. :eek: I walked around my yard in my PJ pants and tshirt but sure don't wanna walk around town or go to the park.

Anywho... I met a few girls last night and have 4 potential models coming up for some practice. Not sure when because I told them I didn't even have my equipment back yet so I'd have to let them know when I could do it. 3 are definite and the other said she was interested but I don't know how serious she was. Looks a bit like Katie Holmes. I woulda had a 5th but she said hell no. I guess 4 out of 5 girls asked isn't bad. I suppose Kim and Angie (roommates) would make for some nice real-life testing, even if it's snapshots at first before going out on a hunt for scenes.

aparmley

04-19-2006, 11:25 AM

It's definitely better. The question is...can I still RELY on it or am I outstripping the limitations of this level of camera body?

I hear that and its what I am considering now.

I do know I rarely ever shoot in ideal conditions.

you and me both - from this it sounds like we could benefit from a better "Performer" - the question is will the 30D provide that better performance or is it going to be too similar to the XT's performance to justify the upgrade? If thats the case - woe is me because anything else is just way tooo expensive - unless Pete comes through on his deal, ;).

cdifoto

04-19-2006, 11:55 AM

I hear that and its what I am considering now.

you and me both - from this it sounds like we could benefit from a better "Performer" - the question is will the 30D provide that better performance or is it going to be too similar to the XT's performance to justify the upgrade? If thats the case - woe is me because anything else is just way tooo expensive - unless Pete comes through on his deal, ;).

Yeah. I'm hesitant to buy a 30D if a 5D or even 1D is what I truly need at this point. Not that I can call myself a photographer worthy of such equipment...it's the AF I'm most concerned with. If so, elling both XTs for 1 30D would be lateral movement rather than upwards mobility...at the sacrifice of having no backup camera.

aparmley

04-19-2006, 12:09 PM

Yeah. I'm hesitant to buy a 30D if a 5D or even 1D is what I truly need at this point. Not that I can call myself a photographer worthy of such equipment...it's the AF I'm most concerned with. If so, elling both XTs for 1 30D would be lateral movement rather than upwards mobility...at the sacrifice of having no backup camera.

this is true. Save the black one [its prettier] and get the 30D!

LMAO - I suppose the rental game shall be played and paid! ;)

cdifoto

04-19-2006, 12:14 PM

this is true. Save the black one [its prettier] and get the 30D!

LMAO - I suppose the rental game shall be played and paid! ;)

Nah. No rentals. No sense starting a love affair with the unattainable. No way no how can I afford a 5D or 1D even by stretching the budget. Just can't happen right now...and I'll feel anything else is inferior and useless all of a sudden. Severe depression will likely ensue, and I won't get out of bed for weeks, let alone touch my worthless XTs.

Wouldn't want that...

jamison55

04-19-2006, 12:28 PM

aparmley

04-19-2006, 01:55 PM

Hmmm. I'm pretty happy with the results from my 20D and 30D. I've never had any focus problems that couldn't be attributed to my own dumb fault...but then my XT made a lot of happy wedding customers as well. Maybe I got the only three good ones (along with the only good 50 f1.8 ;) )

I had a similar thought while shaving before work this afternoon - well, minus the sarcasm!

But was like - Well Jamie's done just fine with what he has. . . So is Peter. User error? lack of user knowledge/skill? a combination of those and some minor issues with QC ? ? ? Who knows. . . . Be aware these thoughts were regarding my results. [But I know my 50 1.8 was dog doodoo!]

Don - I meant Rent the 30D and see if it will do. . . I hear you on the teasing yourself with the impossible. . .

Are those clothes in the dryer done yet man? Come on! ;)

cdifoto

04-19-2006, 02:20 PM

I had a similar thought while shaving before work this afternoon - well, minus the sarcasm!

But was like - Well Jamie's done just fine with what he has. . . So is Peter. User error? lack of user knowledge/skill? a combination of those and some minor issues with QC ? ? ? Who knows. . . . Be aware these thoughts were regarding my results. [But I know my 50 1.8 was dog doodoo!]

Don - I meant Rent the 30D and see if it will do. . . I hear you on the teasing yourself with the impossible. . .

Are those clothes in the dryer done yet man? Come on! ;)

lol the clothes are done. I went to Sears Portrait Studio about a...ahem..job. I figure the pay might suck but I could at least use the posing experience/practice AND earn a few bucks. I don't think it'd go on my resume though.

While there I met a girl, got her number, she's gonna be my new shooting buddy. Meet Amanda:

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a304/cdifoto/misc/2006-04-19-0001.jpg

She also works part time at Victoria's Secret and is a college grad with a History Degree.

George Riehm

04-19-2006, 02:29 PM

Yeah? Shooting buddy eh? Let Jamie know when to show up.

Jamie,

How far in advance do you book?

DonSchap

04-19-2006, 03:06 PM

Yep, I tend to agree with the swelling tide... dump the XTs, Don, and move on up to the 20D or 30D. The 30D seems to have copped a number of parts from the 5D... from some of the reading I've come across... so if you want to hold a camera that has that 5D feel... the 30D is it.

Happy to hear that "the crowd" is back home. :D

arigato

04-19-2006, 03:21 PM

cdifoto

04-19-2006, 03:28 PM

Im glad to hear that you got your stuff back and that they did some proper adjustments to it. But that has me thinking too. Was all that stuff under warranty? Because I have a Canon 70-200 F 4L (bought second hand at FM) which I think may have some issues with sharpening and/or focus. Its about 3 years old. How much would it cost to send it to Canon to have it checked out you think?

All my gear was/is still under warranty. The oldest thing in my bag is the silver XT that I bought in June 2005.

I have no idea what a repair would cost out of warranty. Reps won't even tell you on the phone. They always say "send it in so we can assess the problem yadda yadda yadda..."

aparmley

04-19-2006, 03:30 PM

lol the clothes are done. I went to Sears Portrait Studio about a...ahem..job. I figure the pay might suck but I could at least use the posing experience/practice AND earn a few bucks. I don't think it'd go on my resume though.

While there I met a girl, got her number, she's gonna be my new shooting buddy. Meet Amanda:

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a304/cdifoto/misc/2006-04-19-0001.jpg

She also works part time at Victoria's Secret and is a college grad with a History Degree.

Hi Amanda!

LOL - Shooting buddy. . . That's cool Don. . . It'll be good to have an attractive shooting buddy that can model the new line of Victoria Secret intimate wear! ;)

Hey man, if the job helps out your photography business its good for business and thats always a wise move!

cdifoto

04-19-2006, 03:50 PM

aparmley

04-19-2006, 05:08 PM

Yeah Amanda's rather exotic. South American ancestry. She also shoots Canon so that's a plus. She's a filmy though. She says she hates digital but I'll have to work on her. She also called my XT+Grip+50mm "gorgeous". It was even the silver one. Go figure.

Better "A" filmy than "Filmy." LOL

I wonder why more people who shoot film don't care for digital - I mean if they are into the whole darkroom manipulation thing - I'd think RAW + photoshop would be a godsend - Ofcourse, I don't know I was never a filmy.

Must be something about those Red lights and chemicals . . . ;) Pete, not to be confused with your heat lamps and chemicals. . . ;) :D

cwphoto

04-19-2006, 05:35 PM

Yeah. I'm hesitant to buy a 30D if a 5D or even 1D is what I truly need at this point. Not that I can call myself a photographer worthy of such equipment...it's the AF I'm most concerned with. If so, elling both XTs for 1 30D would be lateral movement rather than upwards mobility...at the sacrifice of having no backup camera.

According to Polinda, the 30D is the focusing king anyway...:rolleyes:

aparmley

04-19-2006, 05:45 PM

According to Polinda, the 30D is the focusing king anyway...:rolleyes:

Who is Polinda? More importantly, why is the 30D the focusing King?

cwphoto

04-19-2006, 06:30 PM

Who is Polinda? More importantly, why is the 30D the focusing King?

This guy:
http://www.dcresource.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18245

cdifoto

04-19-2006, 06:33 PM

This guy:
http://www.dcresource.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18245

Hmm so yer being sarcastic? I forgot all about that thread...apparently Andy did too! I haven't seen him around lately...

cwphoto

04-19-2006, 06:37 PM

Hmm so yer being sarcastic? I forgot all about that thread...apparently Andy did too! I haven't seen him around lately...

A little. Still haven't even held a 30D let alone tested one for focus, but my camera focuses OK for me.

cdifoto

04-19-2006, 06:40 PM

A little. Still haven't even held a 30D let alone tested one for focus, but my camera focuses OK for me.

Didn't Canon say themselves that AF was unchanged from the 20D? If so...no way in hell it can be better than the 1D II series. Original 1D, sure. It's rather old (for digital).

aparmley

04-19-2006, 06:48 PM

This guy:
http://www.dcresource.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18245

ROTFLMAO ! :D I forgot - CW - you're a wacker!

Didn't Canon say themselves that AF was unchanged from the 20D? If so...no way in hell it can be better than the 1D II series. Original 1D, sure. It's rather old (for digital).

Not entirely true:

"9-point AF system (controlled by a revised autofocus algorithm)"

"Though the 9-point autofocus system and all aspects of its configuration and operation are the same as that of the 20D, the algorithm controlling autofocus in the 30D has been refined (though Canon has not revealed what has been addressed). The 20D's autofocus system is the most capable we've ever encountered in a midrange digital SLR; if you want better, you have to spend a lot more. We hope that Canon's tinkering with autofocus in the 30D only makes it a better performer than the already-capable 20D."

- RobGalbraith.com

So, if the instruction set that tells the camera how to focus is better/revised then I can see it performing better - but that statement about the 1D is simply bizarre at best, talk about "Kangaroos in the top paddock!" ;)

cdifoto

04-19-2006, 07:20 PM

ROTFLMAO ! :D I forgot - CW - you're a wacker!

Not entirely true:

"9-point AF system (controlled by a revised autofocus algorithm)"

"Though the 9-point autofocus system and all aspects of its configuration and operation are the same as that of the 20D, the algorithm controlling autofocus in the 30D has been refined (though Canon has not revealed what has been addressed). The 20D's autofocus system is the most capable we've ever encountered in a midrange digital SLR; if you want better, you have to spend a lot more. We hope that Canon's tinkering with autofocus in the 30D only makes it a better performer than the already-capable 20D."

- RobGalbraith.com

So, if the instruction set that tells the camera how to focus is better/revised then I can see it performing better - but that statement about the 1D is simply bizarre at best, talk about "Kangaroos in the top paddock!" ;)

Ah ok. New and improved...but their lips are sealed on exactly how or why or what for/what the cause was therefore solution blah blah blah. Gotcha.

aparmley

04-19-2006, 07:29 PM

Ah ok. New and improved...but their lips are sealed on exactly how or why or what for/what the cause was therefore solution blah blah blah. Gotcha.

Right - maybe just marketing propoganda? Who knows. . . There have been reports by actual users that claim the 30D is better - but how does one quantify such an observation?

cdifoto

04-19-2006, 07:32 PM

Right - maybe just marketing propoganda? Who knows. . . There have been reports by actual users that claim the 30D is better - but how does one quantify such an observation?

Yeah. I'm most likely going to just wait until I'm getting more paid gigs and can justify the expense...or just have the cash in hand for 2 of whatevers. I definitely will want/need 2 of whatever I upgrade to. Right now things are still slow...

aparmley

04-19-2006, 07:47 PM

Yeah. I'm most likely going to just wait until I'm getting more paid gigs and can justify the expense...or just have the cash in hand for 2 of whatevers. I definitely will want/need 2 of whatever I upgrade to. Right now things are still slow...

You have those ladies to think about ;) re: shooting. . . getting your name out there. . . gonna be a good summer!! ;)

cdifoto

04-19-2006, 07:54 PM

You have those ladies to think about ;) re: shooting. . . getting your name out there. . . gonna be a good summer!! ;)

That's my goal. Start being willing to shoot for TFP/TFCD and practice. It's fun when they're attractive anyway so not being paid isn't a bad thing!

DonSchap

04-19-2006, 08:51 PM

They will pay you not to print them. :eek: Okay... J/K :p

The fact is... if you go to the local lake, where the sail boat guys do their thing... they will pay good money to have you photograph them sailing their pride and joys. Bring your printer, your good paper and a 12vdc/120ac power inverter, so you can use the printer in the car and provide them with immediate results. Heck, it's a relatively easy shoot, usually... with long glass and short, and requires little intensive planning... like the weddings do.

The worst thing is positioning yourself vs the sun. The reflective waters can really upset your AF. That's where you can plan ahead, strategically position your rig and then make your deals on the pier. "Just imagine how this 8x10 will look on your desk, Mr. So & so... man, way cool, eh?"

One guy gets "onboard" with the idea, then another.. then another...

A couple of these type of ad hoc "candid" shoots and you'll have the money for your twin 30s! Just have that business card handy. Have camera, will travel. :cool:

24Peter

04-19-2006, 10:36 PM

Pete, not to be confused with your heat lamps and chemicals. . . ;) :D
Hey - you're the one with a greenhouse in his basement. Growing your own tomato sauce down there. ;) :eek:
Don - glad you got your stuff back and it's working well. Keep us posted on your exploits with Amanda... :cool:

cdifoto

04-19-2006, 10:42 PM

Hey - you're the one with a greenhouse in his basement. Growing your own tomato sauce down there. ;) :eek:
Don - glad you got your stuff back and it's working well. Keep us posted on your exploits with Amanda... :cool:

Thanks Pete. I'm glad it's better. Can I be a serious pro with it? Doubtful. But when I do become a serious pro, if ever, I'll have the money for the real deal...