Canon EOS 400D died and Canon say its a write-off [Help]

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rh2600

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#114400 18-Feb-2013 21:18

I just wanted to share my story so far and get the thoughts of fellow gzoners.

I bought a 400D to replace my aging S50 about 5 years ago. It's hardly had a difficult life. It's always been stored well, and taken everywhere in a padded case. I bought it at a proper NZ camera retailer and paid a premium over the parallel import price, assuming at this price point, having proper Canon service would be a good option.

Well on XMAS it simply stopped turning on and having gone through the rather insensitive and harsh act of having to pay over $135 before I even get to send the camera to Canon, I've now been told that two PCBs have stopped functioning and the camera is not economic to repair.

I'm a bit bummed about having to fork out around $1000 for a replacement for a camera that cost me around $2000 I expected to last me more than 5 years, and am considering going the CGA route. Consumer.org think that I should get at least 5 years out of the camera. http://www.consumer.org.nz/reports/appliance-life-expectancy/lifespan-electronics

This isn't a hundred dollar instamatic, it's a DSLR that cost thousands of dollars. Having two PCBs go at once, without Canon identifying any damage to the camera (ie it being dropped) doesn't make me feel great about the reliability of the internals.

FWIW I'm struggling to see *any* benefit to not going parallel imported in future, and my lifelong loyalty to Canon is beginning to wane.

Am I being unreasonable, or should Canon be a bit more forthcoming?

alasta

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#765436 18-Feb-2013 21:48

If it were three years old then I would agree, but to be honest in this day and age five years is not a bad lifespan for a camera body, although I'd expect lenses to last ten years.

That's entirely my personal opinion - I'm sure others will have differing views and the objective answer probably comes down to the legal precedent around enforcing the CGA for this type of product.

graemeh

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#765440 18-Feb-2013 21:57

It should most certainly last more than five years. Nothing wrong with it being obsolete in five years but it should still work.

timmmay

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#765536 19-Feb-2013 07:37

I agree a camera shouldn't just fail after 5 years, unless it's hard a hard life. My cameras have had hard lives, but most consumer cameras don't.

5 years is on the border of what you could get away with under consumer guarantees. You could take it to the store, along with the consumer article in question, and ask them to repair. They may, they may not. Be sure to ask them nicely for their help, not demand a replacement - get them on your side against Canon, not against you.

I had two 17-55 lenses that Canon called "uneconomic to repair". I sold them cheaply as parts to a guy in the US, he worked out what was wrong, got spare parts, rebuilt both, and sold them for near new prices.

bfginger

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#768347 23-Feb-2013 23:08

The inside of a dSLR is a maze of electronics and wires. They'd probably have to source the two boards from the other side of the world and rebuild half of the camera. It'd be cheaper for them to give you another camera.

Look at the Pentax K30 if you're not tied to a bag of Canon lenses.

CarlosTheJackal

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#786456 24-Mar-2013 22:52

Bit of bad luck I'd say. I know a few people with the old 350 & 450 and they're still going strong. If you're real bitter then it's a good excuse to jump ship, the Nikon D3200 & D5200 are great Cameras for the price. If you've got a few Canon lenses then the EOS 650D should be dropping in price as its being replaced by the unexciting 700D.
I guess it's money you hadn't planned on spending, oh well theres heaps of interest free deals around if need be.

ilovemusic

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#786765 25-Mar-2013 16:37

650D replaced already ?

such short lifespan...

i would go the cga route, a name-brand camera should definitely last more than 5yrs in domestic use.

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networkn

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#786907 25-Mar-2013 20:45

rh2600: I just wanted to share my story so far and get the thoughts of fellow gzoners.

FWIW I'm struggling to see *any* benefit to not going parallel imported in future, and my lifelong loyalty to Canon is beginning to wane.

Am I being unreasonable, or should Canon be a bit more forthcoming?

I can see plenty of reasons to not buy parallel import in future, the first 5 years of claimable warranty as a starting position. If buying a new camera isn't an option for you financially or because you don't wish to, then seek alternative quotes for repairs, perhaps from elsewhere.

I'd have to say I'd consider 5 years to be on the long side and I'm afraid that I think in this situation you should just replace it and move on with your life.