New S3 IS! Woohooo! Some questions...

Sorry, that was rude...here was my response to another question that might give you background on my bent pin:

"Good questions. I believe the pin is bent because it looks "angled". Also, two of my flash cards have a slightly enlarged hole at the same spot and only on one side. When cards are inserted, I get a long delay and then a flash card error message. The Canon tech said the delay was caused by the camera's little brain trying to make a connection, then giving up. I don't know if the flash cards are totally damaged or if they would work in another camera..... I also have no idea how I could tell if things would work if I just removed the pin.... I would try to straighten it myself (my husband tried), but we didn't have a small enough tool with a flat side. Somehow I suspect I could get this thing to work...just need advice on how to do it.

By the way, in all the years I had the G1, I probably removed the flash card ( I had two, a 16 and a 98) less than half a dozen times and those only when traveling oversees and taking a multitude of shots requiring the use of both cards. This happened a few weeks ago at the beach when I removed the card to download pics and had trouble getting it back in. I didn't force it...was very careful about that (my theory is that most things are made to fit without excessive force). But had to apply slightly more pressure than I would have expected. That must be when the pin bent or was already bent...don't know. Anyway, again talking to the Canon tech, he advised me that this is a risk you take with flash cards and why SD's are much better."
 
Ha. Not in the least. I took your first reply as simple direction to read your answer to a similar query elsewhere, but thanks for the sensitivity nonetheless.

You mention not knowing if your CF cards might be faulty and so I understand you've no other device on which to test them: you might take them into any camera retailer and pop them in one of theirs.

But I suspect your hunch is correct and straightening that pin probably won't be easy--I just took a look at the internal CompactFlash drive in the notebook on which I'm typing (and which I never use) and the pins look fairly close together, close enough that the chance of bending a juxtaposing pin is great, never mind righting the target pin.

One thing you might try though--at the risk of doing further damage--is a precision flathead screwdriver. I've had this sturdy set for years, and if you don't already have one they come in handy every so often, the price is negligible: http://www.topmicrousa.com/rd-1005a.html or, similarly: http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062775

The smallest flathead in that set is a 1.4mm, which may be too large. I also have a Radio Shack 3-piece flathead set which I bought years ago for under a couple bucks, I didn't see it online. The middle one is missing because it fit perfectly the screws for eyeglasses and I suspect it's sitting in a drawer somewhere with a pair of sunglasses.

That one would have been probably about 1.0mm or 1.2mm: that's the size I'd suggest you try first. (The other two sizes were about 2.0mm and about 0.6mm, respectively probably too large and too small for the task.)

If you do decide to try Radio Shack and that 3-piece isn't available anymore, the smallest in this set should do it (all flatheads): http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062773

(One poster suggested removing the pin. How is he or she recommending you would do that, do you know? Perhaps he/she could provide a direct link to an implement to accomplish that. Furthermore, I guess you would need the schematic for the pins. Sounds random guesswork at best without the plan and not easy or even possible to do even if you had it.)

Lastly, if you decide a eulogy for your G1 is the only route, you might consider Canon's upgrade program (search here on DPReview for comments about it): you send in your G1 and in return get a substantial discount on a newer camera sent directly from Canon--one thing to note is that I read here the upgrades are refurbished or "pre-owned" as they say in the luxury car biz.

Good luck.
Sorry, that was rude...here was my response to another question
that might give you background on my bent pin...
 
Thank you so much for your suggestions about the flathead screw drivers. My husband tried one from an eyeglass kit but it wasn't long enough to get down in there.

Regarding your suggestion on the flash cards, right on! Yesterday I went to Wolf Camera to see if someone there had a tool to fix the pin. Of course they didn't and said they would charge a minimum of $200 for repair...that it was best to go with Canon. However, they were very helpful about checking out my 3 flashcards. The original with the camera and the one I ordered with the camera all worked! Amazing! I was able to retrieve my lost beach pictures with a little transfer device I had at home, but had never used. The third card (1 gb), which I bought at Sam's AFTER the pin was bent was dead! Can you beat that?! The guy said it was because it was a cheap card. Wasn't that cheap, but...oh well.

The Canon tech did tell me about their upgrade policy. I just didn't like the idea of a refurbished camera.....so I got the new S3 IS :-) !!

On removing the pin...I didn't get a chance to respond to the suggestor, but I agree....how would I know which one to remove?! The Wolf Camera guy chuckled about that one, too.

Again, thanks for all of your help!
 
Hehe. After I posted my reply, I realized I should have mentioned that the shafts of the precision screwdriver sets to which I linked are a bit longer and the handles a bit slimmer than a few of the other eyeglass-specific screwdrivers I've seen.

In this set which I own http://www.topmicrousa.com/rd-1005a.html it's true that as the tip size decreases, the shaft length shortens, but so too does the handle become slimmer, slim enough so that it could follow the shaft inside the drive slot.

I have a hunch the 1.0 mm from the brand linked above would work. If you decide to pursue a fix, consider taking camera in hand when you next pass by a Radio Shack.

What was the brand name of the failed CF card which you purchased at Sam's Club? And which brand survived (I gather one was a Canon brand)?

Regards.
Thank you so much for your suggestions about the flathead screw
drivers. My husband tried one from an eyeglass kit but it wasn't
long enough to get down in there.
 
The Canon 16 mb original card survived, as did the Didigal Media Simple Technology 96 mb card which I ordered at the time I ordered the G1. The dead dog is a 1 gb PNY which I purchased at BJ's (not Sam's as stated earlier) for $75. Luckily I still have the receipt and with try to return today.

For you (or anyone else)...I am still investigating camera cases. Canon has a "Delux Leather Case PSC-75" for the S2 IS and S3 IS. Anyone have any comments regarding this product?

Another case from Canon is the Side Pack PSC1 -- anyone try this?

Also, how useful is the Canon Compact Power Adapter Kit CA-PS700?
 
Just picked up the S3 IS at CircuitCity after much study,
especially reading through this forum. Replaces a Powershot G1
I've had for years and loved.

Questions for anyone who'd like to give some advice:

1) I also picked up a Digipower DPS-5000 2800 mAha NiMH charger and
batteries. Good/bad/ok?
Same as most other Ni-MH sets. Will work fine.
2) Also got a Sandisk Ultra II 2 gb memory card. Good/bad/ok?
Good. But you should research memory cards BEFORE you buy them, not ask after. It's better to get multiple lower spec cards rather than one larger one such as two 1 gig cards as opposed to one 2 gig card. Why? If a card goes bad, which would you prefer... losing tons of photos on one card, or only half on one when you are using two?
3) Would like to get a good camera case that fits snug. Will there
be/is there one for the S3 IS out there? Web searches haven't
found it yet.
It's best to take your camera to a camera shop and let them allow you to fit it into their cases to find the best one.
4) Think I got a good deal on the price. Basically, they knocked
off the equivalent of the sales tax and I got some off on the other
items. See a price reduction of $25 on the web today ($475 now).
Do you think I can get the 110% from them on their price reduction?
Do you think other "brick and mortars" will go lower in the next 30
days?
Circuit City employees are who you ask about their 110% guarentee. And there is no way for anyone in here to predict what other stores will do with their pricing in the next 30 days.
4) My old G1 has a bent pin in the flash card slot. Canon tech
support thought it would cost $150 to fix.
If you have no local camera shops that offer cheaper repair prices, send it to Canon.
 
If you have not picked a case yet. You should consider what you may do in the near future. I was looking for a small bag, but then decided to buy a lens adapter with filter and hood, as I'm going on holiday in Egypt and Jordon wich could have sand problems. The Lowepro Edit 110 is a perfect fit.
Hope this helps John.
 
Here is a CF pinout I found on the net. I was thinking of options for the situation where straightening the pin was not viable due to 'beyond repair' damage. I've seen connector pins that didn't just bend slightly at the base that would be rectified by merely bending back, but pins that are crushed flat and would snap when you try and bend back. Just a thought - YMMV!

http://www.interfacebus.com/CompactFlash_Memory_Module_pinout.html
-------
Clive
 
So far, and I'm sure this is just the beginning...I have found several functional things about the S3 that I love. I won't go into the "purple haze; microsecond this; S7000 that; hold your breath and stand on your head for a night shot" stuff, cause I'm not a camera geek. I will tell you the things I've seen improved since my beloved G1 Powershot.

If you've read my thread, you'll see that we owned and loved the G1 for 5-6 years. Having said that, we tolerated some annoyances because it was our first digital and we are pretty patient people.

The G1 had it's mode button and on/off switch in the same place but in concentric rings. Invariably, when turning on to shoot a pic or replay a shot, we would move the mode off of auto...if we weren't paying attention for the next shot, it would of course turn out less than optimal. On the S3 IS, Canon has wisely put these functions in two different places.

I love the lens cap that some people are complaining about. It's tight enough to stay on, loose enough to slide of when the lens zooms out. On the G1, if the cap was on, the lens didn't zoom out and time was wasted.

While the G1 had a special (optional) leather case, the S3 IS Canon case is the same one made for the S1 and S2. The G1 case came in two parts that snapped together. The bottom screwed into the body of the camera. The top covered the lens and snapped into the bottom. I liked the style, however the flaps on the top part curled under and never fit just right. I haven't purchased the S3 leather case yet...still trying to adjust to the idea of taking the camera in and out of something.

Because the G1 used a lithium battery, the body of the camera was squared of where the S3 batteries reside. No big deal, just need to get used to a different feel when shooting.

The LCD screen, which is bigger on the S3, is great and I like the function displays...some icons aren't intuitive, but I'll learn.

The stabilizer on the S3 is going to make a huge difference for us, since we did get some fuzzy pictures occassionaly. Also, my husband was often annoyed at what he considered a long delay time between shots....this should also be pretty much taken care of by the S3.

One of the most important differences to me is the SD memory card. The G1 had the flash card...which I had never had a problem with until a few weeks ago when one of the internal pins bent.

I don't know how I'll feel about Lithium vs NiMH rechargeables...hopefully it will be a little cheaper.

I hope this helps!
 
Thanks for your insight, John. I'm doing exactly as you suggested...am wondering whether I will get a lens adapter, extra lenses, a hood...or not. Am thinking the latter, but not sure.
 
Clive...how fantastic...thank you! I'm sure you understand what they are saying..I'm still trying to figure it out. I assume mine would be the PC Card memory mode. In which case, the problem seems to be with pin 37 ("Ready.O.OTI") or pin 38 "Vcc.-.Power"). Now if I only know which, based on the error message and the behavior....the error was "CF error" and the camera worked hard to power up but didn't make it....so I guess it would be either.

We did stop by Radio Shack and picked up some flatheads...smallest is 1 mm....haven't dared to go in yet...will let you know when we do.
 
If I'm picturing correctly, sounds just like the case fitting--with a bottom which screwed into the tripod mount--from my grandfather's 40 year old Kodak Retina Reflex IV. Perhaps that was a common way to cover cameras.
The G1 case came in
two parts that snapped together. The bottom screwed into the body
of the camera. The top covered the lens and snapped into the
bottom.
 
Interesting pin diagram. Not sure I'd know what to do based on it though.

How'd the 1 mm work out?
Clive...how fantastic...thank you! I'm sure you understand what
they are saying..I'm still trying to figure it out. I assume mine
would be the PC Card memory mode. In which case, the problem seems
to be with pin 37 ("Ready.O.OTI") or pin 38 "Vcc.-.Power"). Now if
I only know which, based on the error message and the
behavior....the error was "CF error" and the camera worked hard to
power up but didn't make it....so I guess it would be either.

We did stop by Radio Shack and picked up some flatheads...smallest
is 1 mm....haven't dared to go in yet...will let you know when we
do.
 
lol...the 1mm is sitting here staring at me. Haven't had nerve to try it yet. Will post when we do (think it may be my husbands steady hand).
 
Hey Scudderbug, I finally got a quiet moment and decided (while my husband and father are napping) to try the 1mm on the pin. It fit nicely inside the compartment...no problem. Hard to see what I was doing but good light and and bit of "feeling around" let me gently straighten the pin I thought was at fault. Then the test: I inserted the 96 mb card which I ordered at the time I purchased the camera...no luck, same error message as before. Then, on a lark, I inserted the 16mb card which came with the cmaera. Amazingly, it worked! No error message. Now I know both of these cards are good because I had them tested in a camera at Ritz. Can you beat that? I don't particularly want to trash the 96 card and can't understand why it wouldn't work if the other one does. Any thoughts?
 
If I understand right, the 16MB card that works has not been inserted into the camera since the bent pin? And the card that doesn't work has been? If so, then it sounds like the card that doesn't work now has damage to that one socket 'hole' where the bent pin went in. This doesn't mean that the failing card won't work in other cameras or card readers. It just depends on the type of connector. Be aware that it is possible that if the card has a damaged hole, then this could damage other pins in other cameras/card readers. Can you check the card for obvious damage too?
-------
Clive
 

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