Ferrari_Alex 40D Problems

If you read all of each thread complaining about the 40D you will discover that condemnations of the camera turn out to be user errors or failure to read the owners manual. Some complain that their P&S take better pictures than the 40D. DSLRs are creative tools that have tremendous capability where the P&S does all the thinking for you and guesses what you would like in your photos. Experience and knowledge combine to make you a better photographer.

Some are much happier with P&S since they do not require learning a lot compared to the 40D.
--
Bob

'There are always two people in every picture: the photographer and the viewer.' - Ansel Adams

Canon 40D, 70-200mm f4L IS, 28-135mm IS, Sigma 17-70mm f2.8 Macro, 100-400 mm f4.5L IS
Sony R1
Canon Pro1

What about the shutter failure, shutter button issue, occasional ERR99 issue? How can these be user-error? Some of them end up being sent to Canon for repair.

Anyway, I guess the 40D sold quite a lot - its an impressive camera. Images are bettter out of the camera than my D60's output, even with all parameters at the max. I always had to use levels, saturation, etc to bring out the real image from the D60 JPEGs. So, I've tried the 40D (its sitting in my bag right now) and I think, barring the occasional lemon or the unlucky owner with hardware trouble, its one heck-of-a-camera, at least going from a D60 up.

Anil
http://picasaweb.google.com/anilkraghavan/MyFavs

saaketham1 said:

What about the shutter failure, shutter button issue, occasional ERR99 issue? How can these be user-error? Some of them end up being sent to Canon for repair.

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They can - and do - happen with ANY camera. I've had two 30D's shutters give up, and had a shedload of issues with Nikons before I bought onto the Canon system, so these are bugger all to do with the 40D.

Bob, Alex eventually bought a 40D - his original post was back in December of last year - so we really should let this go.

my 40D has a problem. it is not operator error.

it is at the canon repair facility right now ...for the second time. the only thing worse then a bad camera is not being able to get it fixed.

just becuase yours is ok doesn't mean there are no bad ones (or a lot of them)

and I agree with what a lot of people post that you cannot tell from these forums if there is a serious problem with any particular model.

BUT THESE SAME PEOPLE CLAIM THAT THEY ARE ALL GOOD ....I ask if you cann't tell how many are bad how can you tell me they are all good ???

AND THOSE WHO ARE HAVING PROBLEMS ARE DOING SOMETHING WRONG ...like too much camera for a beginner.

...just like the hysteria about the 1DmkIII focusing problems. so many were shooting the messenger. Canon finally admitted there was an issue with it.

Hi all

I am not quite sure why this thread was started. Perhaps the OP had seen too many ridiculous discussions around this forum...

I have never heard of any man made more complicated devices that can not have mechanical or electronic problems - think about space shuttles and Rolls Royces ...

Of course there will always be - and has been - some Canon and some Nikon that has problems right out of the box - that is why there is WARRANTY and the customers rights .

BUT !

There have been some really strange threads about different "issues" - in some of them the "evidence" was clearly deliberately made/fabricated to show "problems". Some clearly "user errors" , some software problems , some lenses needing calibration , some people not at all understanding what is "camera sharpness" or what is a default setting . And some people who cant use a camera - and some people who really know what they are talking about!

And really some camera that should be sent back - exactly as with every man made thing.

--
Kari
SLR photography for 40 years
60°15´N 24°03´ E

there are many 'omg broken camera' posts that end up being user error. This of course makes it harder to really tell which are the valid camera problems, valid problems caused by 3rd party hardware, and non issues (user not knowing how to use the camera or flash or whatever). So yes, we know there are users who honestly do have problems, but its as likely with a new user posting a problem that nothing is wrong.

looks like its in response to an old thread that was brought back from the dead.

...and you know who has a real problem and who doesn't ?

It is a relief to learn a new user cannot have a problem camera.

http://www.pbase.com/llukee/inbox&page=113
http://www.pbase.com/llukee/inbox&page=114

BadtzMaru said:

there are many 'omg broken camera' posts that end up being user
error. This of course makes it harder to really tell which are the
valid camera problems, valid problems caused by 3rd party hardware,
and non issues (user not knowing how to use the camera or flash or
whatever). So yes, we know there are users who honestly do have
problems, but its as likely with a new user posting a problem that
nothing is wrong.

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No one said that. What was said (and I believe it's completely accurate) is that the majority of "problems" posted here by new users (particularly those new to SLRs) are definitely user error or someone who doesn't yet understand the need for post processing of dSLR images.

You post sounds pretty defensive. I don't think anyone questions whether you're having issues or not. I had legitimate problems with a 10-22 lens. Sent it in the Canon and they did a great job of repairing it. End of story. Stuff happens. I hope you have better luck with your repair this time, but that doesn't point to any major or widespread issues with the 40D. Anything that complex will occasionally have manufacturing issues. Plain and simple.

Jerry

Luke Kukovica said:

It is a relief to learn a new user cannot have a problem camera.

http://www.pbase.com/llukee/inbox&page=113
http://www.pbase.com/llukee/inbox&page=114

BadtzMaru said:

there are many 'omg broken camera' posts that end up being user
error. This of course makes it harder to really tell which are the
valid camera problems, valid problems caused by 3rd party hardware,
and non issues (user not knowing how to use the camera or flash or
whatever). So yes, we know there are users who honestly do have
problems, but its as likely with a new user posting a problem that
nothing is wrong.

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Click to expand...

not just defensive. it seems any time someone puts up a post where they mention a problem the canon fans pile on. just like they did with the 1DmkIII. which incidentally has a problem (I am not sure if it is resolved yet) ...not just a few of them.

and if it wasn't for a few people who stood up to the fans it may never have gotten the attention it deserves.

my point is there are people with problem cameras ...how big or small the problem is unkown to me. if you have some inside information then maybe you can make a more comprehensive judgement. otherwise you are just speculating.

where is your scientific survey that tells you everyone who posted a problem is new to DSLR or PP ??

not long ago I saw a thread from someone who is respected on this web who had a bad 40D and same thing the fans piled on. turns out the camera had a problem.

your statements don't help ...it is not always the user ...that is my point.

Jerry-astro said:

You post sounds pretty defensive. I don't think anyone questions
whether you're having issues or not. I had legitimate problems with
a 10-22 lens. Sent it in the Canon and they did a great job of
repairing it. End of story. Stuff happens. I hope you have better
luck with your repair this time, but that doesn't point to any major
or widespread issues with the 40D. Anything that complex will
occasionally have manufacturing issues. Plain and simple.

Jerry

Luke Kukovica said:

It is a relief to learn a new user cannot have a problem camera.

http://www.pbase.com/llukee/inbox&page=113
http://www.pbase.com/llukee/inbox&page=114

BadtzMaru said:

there are many 'omg broken camera' posts that end up being user
error. This of course makes it harder to really tell which are the
valid camera problems, valid problems caused by 3rd party hardware,
and non issues (user not knowing how to use the camera or flash or
whatever). So yes, we know there are users who honestly do have
problems, but its as likely with a new user posting a problem that
nothing is wrong.

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Well, some of the best examples of user error are supported by the pics that they post. A huge number of "my pics are soft" postings end up being camera shake or simply the little bit of softness attributable to the AA filter. I see this time and time again, and often from people who swear loudly that their cameras are clearly broken. I never claimed that it was always the user... I'm confident that there are plenty of legimate issues posted here. But most (not all) -- once you get a look at the offending picture they post -- end up being a simple lack of knowledge about the operation of the camera.

Your post is a huge generalization. You keep saying "any time", "everyone", etc. Clearly not everyone who posts here is a newbie... far from it. But a whole lot of the issues posted by newbies get magically resolved once someone explains the issue and points them in the right direction. And, guess what, there are few newbies and others out there with bum cameras and/or lenses. Yup, it happens. Get it fixed and move on. That's what I did and am really pleased that Canon did the right thing and repaired it quickly and efficiently. Guess that makes me a fanboy, huh?

Jerry

Luke Kukovica said:

and if it wasn't for a few people who stood up to the fans it may
never have gotten the attention it deserves.

my point is there are people with problem cameras ...how big or
small the problem is unkown to me. if you have some inside
information then maybe you can make a more comprehensive judgement.
otherwise you are just speculating.

where is your scientific survey that tells you everyone who posted a
problem is new to DSLR or PP ??

not long ago I saw a thread from someone who is respected on this web
who had a bad 40D and same thing the fans piled on. turns out the
camera had a problem.

your statements don't help ...it is not always the user ...that
is my point.

Jerry-astro said:

You post sounds pretty defensive. I don't think anyone questions
whether you're having issues or not. I had legitimate problems with
a 10-22 lens. Sent it in the Canon and they did a great job of
repairing it. End of story. Stuff happens. I hope you have better
luck with your repair this time, but that doesn't point to any major
or widespread issues with the 40D. Anything that complex will
occasionally have manufacturing issues. Plain and simple.

Jerry

Luke Kukovica said:

It is a relief to learn a new user cannot have a problem camera.

http://www.pbase.com/llukee/inbox&page=113
http://www.pbase.com/llukee/inbox&page=114

BadtzMaru said:

there are many 'omg broken camera' posts that end up being user
error. This of course makes it harder to really tell which are the
valid camera problems, valid problems caused by 3rd party hardware,
and non issues (user not knowing how to use the camera or flash or
whatever). So yes, we know there are users who honestly do have
problems, but its as likely with a new user posting a problem that
nothing is wrong.

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

And i have seen some posters complaining that there is something wrong with the camera...and explaining exactly the same "symptoms" i have seen.. .even "i will switch to Nikon tomorrow " comments.

You ARE right about aggressive fans! But luckily that is quite rare.

BUT it is always so that RTFM method and consulting should be done first. Then , if a camera has a real problem it is easier to get fast/good service if you have tried all reasonable tricks (and the famous RTFM method) - and you can tell the exact problem - and what you have already tried.

So far i have not sent back any Canon gear and they just work (5 lenses , 1 body) , but during last 10 years... : one NEW laptop PC , twice the same PS camera , some small computer gear , some DVD , new car had something installed seriously wrong and so on and so on. Warranty repaired everything every time and i expect that Canon does that too if i some day get something that has problems. Why post complaints to a forum? Asking advice is OK.
--
Kari
SLR photography for 40 years
60°15´N 24°03´ E

Someone posts pictures that are clearly soft even though they were taken at a reasonable shutter speed and aperture, using IS or on a tripod. The OP obviously has a focusing problem or a bad lens. Then several people respond saying That the OP needs to learn post processing or stop the lens down to f/11.

It makes me think that some of the responders have defective cameras or lenses and are using post processing or small apertures to try and correct focusing errors or lens defects. Worse yet, they think this is normal and encourage others that it is necessary.

Canon (and others) make wonderful cameras and lenses that when properly calibrated, can produce very sharp images straight out of the camera at default settings. I have had equipment that was not correctly calibrated, but once it was fixed, I seldom need any post processing unless I am making HUGE prints. In fact most of my people pictures need some softening as they are too sharp to be flattering.