Question for you camera guys?

[Farmer Dan]

Girl Friend dropped her Canon EOS Rebel DS6041.  I was able to find a new flange and get the 18-55mm lens fixed.  (tested good on another camera)  The problem now is every time you snap a picture it does the err99.  Is this camera worth the cost to send it into Canon for repair?  Or should I just save the lens, trash the camera body and buy a new camera?

[atavar]

Sorta depends on the cost to send it to Canon. Figure the body is worth about $100-150 and go from there. 

[Triple Jim]

Agreed.  It's probably worth asking Canon.  Some companies have a flat fee for repair, no matter what it takes to fix the camera.

[atavar]

read this..
http://improvephotography.com/10372/error-99-canon-camera-fix-repair/

[rocker59]

You can buy that body used on Amazon for $138.

Personally, I'd take the opportunity to upgrade.  Body and lens.

[atavar]

Googling shows that cleaning the electrical connectors between body and lens can often fix that error.

[Bisbonian]

Do you have a local camera repair shop close by?

I had some dust on my sensor that no amount of home cleaning would remove and I got tired of having UFOs in all of my pictures.

I took to to my local camera shop (found using Google) and he not only cleaned the sensor properly but fixed a bunch of other stuff that I had been working around.

I'm using a Canon 30D but the premise is the same. They may tell you right up front whether they can fix it without having to spend money.

I would also spend for an upgrade. You can get used bodies for much cheaper than new.
I bought mine from Adorama a few years ago and have always been happy with it. It looks like right now they have a couple of 40D for ~$150 and a 50D for $225. I'd definitely go that way before I spent money for another Rebel.

[fotoguzzi]

Googling shows that cleaning the electrical connectors between body and lens can often fix that error.

maybe pull the battery for a few minutes too.

[Farmer Dan]

maybe pull the battery for a few minutes too.

That was the first thing I did.  Clean the connections and replace both batteries after letting it sit over night with no batteries in it.  with new batteries and no lens or CF card try to take a picture and get the same "err99". That tells me its something wrong in the body.  Guess it's time to buy a new camera.

[fotoguzzi]

no CF card try to take a picture and get the same "err99". 

if you don't have a media card it it can't take a pic.. needs somewhere to put it.

[atavar]

Yes, try with a lens installed and with a good memory card installed.  Lacking either of those will get you an error.

[Farmer Dan]

Yes, try with a lens installed and with a good memory card installed.  Lacking either of those will get you an error.

True but either of those two will not give err99. and yes I have tried every combination I could thing of.

[Two Checks]

I spent $250k of my employer's money last year on camera repairs. You are way overdue to upgrade. The old Rebels are tanks but the CF cards are slow and have very limited capacity. Trust me when I say you could buy a new body for less than the cost of repairs. And there is a good chance parts are NLA.

[Farmer Dan]

Thanks for all the good advice.  Since the camera "don't work" and it ain't worth paying someone to fix it.... I think I'll just dive in and see if I can get lucky and find the problem and get it put back together again.  LOL If nothing else I'll have something to tinker with for a few days.  I'll let you know if it survives or not.  The Nikon L32 is looking like it may be my next purchase.  Good pics and cheaper.

[Two Checks]

You will be disappointed with the pics from the L32 compared to the Rebel. The better glass on the Rebel makes the difference.

[Farmer Dan]

You will be disappointed with the pics from the L32 compared to the Rebel. The better glass on the Rebel makes the difference.

I could not say first hand, I have never got the Rebel to take a picture (yet).  I took this picture with an L28, with my photo skill level and for the money the L32 may be the best choice for me.

[atavar]

For a motorcycle camera I love my Nikon AW100, shirt pocket fit, takes great pictures, water and dust and shock proof so I can leave it in my pocket and even take pictures in the pouring rain. I carry this even when I have the DSLR in the topcase just because it is handy and rugged and waterproof. 

[LowRyter]

The latest trend is mirrorless cameras with interchangeable lenses.  They are light, less expensive, smaller to carry and have the newest tech.  Sony E-mount has led with products but Canon and Nikon have recently come out with their designs too.

I will admit that I like Sony cameras because using them is more intuitive.  I might add the comfort factor is the most important issue to consider when buying a camera.  All will take great pictures and have more capability than most photographers will ever use.  I get lost in menus with some big named cameras.

It's like a motorcycle helmet, they'll all protect your head  but which one has the best features and offers the best comfort? 

[boatdetective]

Cameras are one of my primary tools and I've been through many. Here are my 2cents:


-Ditch the rebel. That and the 18-55 lens are very mediocre by today's standards.

-SLRs are relatively "fast" to handle and shoot due to more real estate for buttons and controls. However, they are pretty bulky by most people's standards. I would only suggest that an amateur get an SLR if they are shooting lots of action/kids or use pretty advanced telephotos. Otherwise, mirrorless cameras really have supplanted most of their functionality

-The little compact market is really hurting compared to cell phone cameras. The Nikon compact line has always been an also ran. If you want a compact- great. However, I would strongly recommend you consider a Canon Powershot. A factory refurb S100-120 would be a great camera with many user controls.

-speaking of refurbs- the camera companies will sell factory refurbished cameras for a steep discount. They look and operate as new and come with a warranty.  It's a good way to go.

-if you decide on an interchangeable lens system- remember to consider the quality of the lens. it's pretty useless to get a good grade body and then opt for the entry level lens.

-Do NOT get suckered into a compact superzoom.  They are fraught with compromise and may do a lot of things to an iffy level, but nothing spectacular.

-think long and hard about how you really, honestly use the camera- then buy the tool to suit. If you really want something to capture birds on the wing and blow up the results- don't expect to find that in a compact. Conversely, if you like candid grab shots- a bulky piece of kit that screams "look at me"  may be overkill.   

Do a little research on dpreview and the imaging resource. Plenty of good info there.

 

[LowRyter]

I purchased my sony A57 as a refurb.  they were out of production and I got a great deal with a 3 year extended warranty and used it twice. 

i saw used one and really understood the menus and already had some lenses. 

I would probably get the e mount now.  But really like this one.

[agoldfish]

I have been using a Sony Alpha for 6 years now and dont have a bad word to say about it. I still have a first Gen A450 that ia my take every camera. Intuitive menu system - far more so than Canon or Nikon IMHO - and takes GREAT images.

With the A-Mount you also have the advantage of being able to use all of the Konica / Minolta lenses which are GOOD glass and cheap to buy used. Sony User forum has a review of most all that have the A mount.

[atavar]

Nikon just announced new ruggedized cameras.. click the image for the press release.