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Digital Rebel Quality! Cracked after 5 months....

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HonestMan

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I'm not a professional photographer, and I'm not trying to become one or pretending to be one either. Therefore, I have never gotten involved in the threads regarding the build quality of the Digital Rebel, and the threads talking about how different Canon cameras are better than the Rebel etc.

I used a film SLR before and wanted to go digital and that is why I chose the Rebel. It was the only DSLR that I could afford. Simple as that.

During my recent trip to Chicago where I took lots of pictures I noticed something strange on top of the pop-up flash. It looks like a crack. It's about 1cm in length. It might be just a crack on the finish/paint, but it still concerns me.

I never dropped this camera, and never bumbed it on anything. This crack really got me worried about the build quality! What would happen if I dropped it!!?? Would that mean $1000 down the drain?

I apologize for not posting pictures of this crack. I know it would add a lot to this post. Unfortunately, I don't have a second camera which I could take the picture with.

Has anyone else experienced similar issues?

Do you think I should do anything about this crack? I only had the camera for 5 months so it is still under warranty. I also have the Best Buy service plan.

I don't want to send my camera to Canon because of this crack since everything else is working fine. Frankly, I don't want them messing with my camera. If Canon service is anything like a car dealership service, than I want to stay away from them for as long as possible.
--
I am not politically correct. I'm honest instead...
 
and calm down. It sounds quite minor and nothing to worry about. FWIW, I have not heard of any serious problems with the camera body, despite the claims of "cheap plastic" by some on these forums. Oh, and yes, if you drop it from any distance you will likely be buy a new camera, the same can be said for EVERY camera I have owned in the last 10 years, film and digital.
HonestMan said:
I'm not a professional photographer, and I'm not trying to become
one or pretending to be one either. Therefore, I have never gotten
involved in the threads regarding the build quality of the Digital
Rebel, and the threads talking about how different Canon cameras
are better than the Rebel etc.

I used a film SLR before and wanted to go digital and that is why I
chose the Rebel. It was the only DSLR that I could afford. Simple
as that.

During my recent trip to Chicago where I took lots of pictures I
noticed something strange on top of the pop-up flash. It looks like
a crack. It's about 1cm in length. It might be just a crack on the
finish/paint, but it still concerns me.

I never dropped this camera, and never bumbed it on anything. This
crack really got me worried about the build quality! What would
happen if I dropped it!!?? Would that mean $1000 down the drain?

I apologize for not posting pictures of this crack. I know it would
add a lot to this post. Unfortunately, I don't have a second camera
which I could take the picture with.

Has anyone else experienced similar issues?

Do you think I should do anything about this crack? I only had the
camera for 5 months so it is still under warranty. I also have the
Best Buy service plan.

I don't want to send my camera to Canon because of this crack since
everything else is working fine. Frankly, I don't want them messing
with my camera. If Canon service is anything like a car dealership
service, than I want to stay away from them for as long as possible.
--
I am not politically correct. I'm honest instead...
Click to expand...
--
Daniel
http://www.pbase.com/dvogel11
300D tips http://www.bahneman.com/liem/photos/tricks/digital-rebel-tricks.html
300D FAQ at http://www.marius.org/fom-serve/cache/3.html
 
DannyV said:
HonestMan said:
I'm not a professional photographer, and I'm not trying to become
one or pretending to be one either. Therefore, I have never gotten
involved in the threads regarding the build quality of the Digital
Rebel, and the threads talking about how different Canon cameras
are better than the Rebel etc.

I used a film SLR before and wanted to go digital and that is why I
chose the Rebel. It was the only DSLR that I could afford. Simple
as that.

During my recent trip to Chicago where I took lots of pictures I
noticed something strange on top of the pop-up flash. It looks like
a crack. It's about 1cm in length. It might be just a crack on the
finish/paint, but it still concerns me.

I never dropped this camera, and never bumbed it on anything. This
crack really got me worried about the build quality! What would
happen if I dropped it!!?? Would that mean $1000 down the drain?

I apologize for not posting pictures of this crack. I know it would
add a lot to this post. Unfortunately, I don't have a second camera
which I could take the picture with.

Has anyone else experienced similar issues?

Do you think I should do anything about this crack? I only had the
camera for 5 months so it is still under warranty. I also have the
Best Buy service plan.

I don't want to send my camera to Canon because of this crack since
everything else is working fine. Frankly, I don't want them messing
with my camera. If Canon service is anything like a car dealership
service, than I want to stay away from them for as long as possible.
--
I am not politically correct. I'm honest instead...
Click to expand...
--
Daniel
http://www.pbase.com/dvogel11
300D tips
http://www.bahneman.com/liem/photos/tricks/digital-rebel-tricks.html
300D FAQ at http://www.marius.org/fom-serve/cache/3.html
Click to expand...
--
I am not politically correct. I'm honest instead...
 
I've dropped a couple of Nikons and a Bronica. The Nikons onto concrete, the Bronica onto hardwood. All lived to take many many more pictures, and I'm still using them.

On the other hand, I witnessed a new photographer drop a brand new 24mm Nikkor onto a sidewalk and watched the pieces fly everywhere.

I haven't dropped the Rebel yet, but it does concern me. Especially when I put the weighty 8mm fisheye on it (funny, but that $200 Russian lens makes the DR 'feel' more professional). With the kit lens, I wouldn't worry too much. It's so light that the impact shouldn't be that great.
DannyV said:
HonestMan said:
I'm not a professional photographer, and I'm not trying to become
one or pretending to be one either. Therefore, I have never gotten
involved in the threads regarding the build quality of the Digital
Rebel, and the threads talking about how different Canon cameras
are better than the Rebel etc.

I used a film SLR before and wanted to go digital and that is why I
chose the Rebel. It was the only DSLR that I could afford. Simple
as that.

During my recent trip to Chicago where I took lots of pictures I
noticed something strange on top of the pop-up flash. It looks like
a crack. It's about 1cm in length. It might be just a crack on the
finish/paint, but it still concerns me.

I never dropped this camera, and never bumbed it on anything. This
crack really got me worried about the build quality! What would
happen if I dropped it!!?? Would that mean $1000 down the drain?

I apologize for not posting pictures of this crack. I know it would
add a lot to this post. Unfortunately, I don't have a second camera
which I could take the picture with.

Has anyone else experienced similar issues?

Do you think I should do anything about this crack? I only had the
camera for 5 months so it is still under warranty. I also have the
Best Buy service plan.

I don't want to send my camera to Canon because of this crack since
everything else is working fine. Frankly, I don't want them messing
with my camera. If Canon service is anything like a car dealership
service, than I want to stay away from them for as long as possible.
--
I am not politically correct. I'm honest instead...
Click to expand...
--
Daniel
http://www.pbase.com/dvogel11
300D tips
http://www.bahneman.com/liem/photos/tricks/digital-rebel-tricks.html
300D FAQ at http://www.marius.org/fom-serve/cache/3.html
Click to expand...
 
One look at the Dreb will tell you that it is not made for dropping. I don't even know if extended warranties will cover droppage. I
stephenmelvin said:
On the other hand, I witnessed a new photographer drop a brand new
24mm Nikkor onto a sidewalk and watched the pieces fly everywhere.

I haven't dropped the Rebel yet, but it does concern me. Especially
when I put the weighty 8mm fisheye on it (funny, but that $200
Russian lens makes the DR 'feel' more professional). With the kit
lens, I wouldn't worry too much. It's so light that the impact
shouldn't be that great.
DannyV said:
HonestMan said:
I'm not a professional photographer, and I'm not trying to become
one or pretending to be one either. Therefore, I have never gotten
involved in the threads regarding the build quality of the Digital
Rebel, and the threads talking about how different Canon cameras
are better than the Rebel etc.

I used a film SLR before and wanted to go digital and that is why I
chose the Rebel. It was the only DSLR that I could afford. Simple
as that.

During my recent trip to Chicago where I took lots of pictures I
noticed something strange on top of the pop-up flash. It looks like
a crack. It's about 1cm in length. It might be just a crack on the
finish/paint, but it still concerns me.

I never dropped this camera, and never bumbed it on anything. This
crack really got me worried about the build quality! What would
happen if I dropped it!!?? Would that mean $1000 down the drain?

I apologize for not posting pictures of this crack. I know it would
add a lot to this post. Unfortunately, I don't have a second camera
which I could take the picture with.

Has anyone else experienced similar issues?

Do you think I should do anything about this crack? I only had the
camera for 5 months so it is still under warranty. I also have the
Best Buy service plan.

I don't want to send my camera to Canon because of this crack since
everything else is working fine. Frankly, I don't want them messing
with my camera. If Canon service is anything like a car dealership
service, than I want to stay away from them for as long as possible.
--
I am not politically correct. I'm honest instead...
Click to expand...
--
Daniel
http://www.pbase.com/dvogel11
300D tips
http://www.bahneman.com/liem/photos/tricks/digital-rebel-tricks.html
300D FAQ at http://www.marius.org/fom-serve/cache/3.html
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
--
My images:
http://michael972.smugmug.com

 
I don't thing warranties cover dropage. If I dropped it, I wouldn't be blaming Canon or the camera, but myself instead.

I've been babying this camera since the day I got it, because it cost a lot of money as far as my budget is concerned.

Why is it cracking without any reason?
Michael972 said:
stephenmelvin said:
On the other hand, I witnessed a new photographer drop a brand new
24mm Nikkor onto a sidewalk and watched the pieces fly everywhere.

I haven't dropped the Rebel yet, but it does concern me. Especially
when I put the weighty 8mm fisheye on it (funny, but that $200
Russian lens makes the DR 'feel' more professional). With the kit
lens, I wouldn't worry too much. It's so light that the impact
shouldn't be that great.
DannyV said:
HonestMan said:
I'm not a professional photographer, and I'm not trying to become
one or pretending to be one either. Therefore, I have never gotten
involved in the threads regarding the build quality of the Digital
Rebel, and the threads talking about how different Canon cameras
are better than the Rebel etc.

I used a film SLR before and wanted to go digital and that is why I
chose the Rebel. It was the only DSLR that I could afford. Simple
as that.

During my recent trip to Chicago where I took lots of pictures I
noticed something strange on top of the pop-up flash. It looks like
a crack. It's about 1cm in length. It might be just a crack on the
finish/paint, but it still concerns me.

I never dropped this camera, and never bumbed it on anything. This
crack really got me worried about the build quality! What would
happen if I dropped it!!?? Would that mean $1000 down the drain?

I apologize for not posting pictures of this crack. I know it would
add a lot to this post. Unfortunately, I don't have a second camera
which I could take the picture with.

Has anyone else experienced similar issues?

Do you think I should do anything about this crack? I only had the
camera for 5 months so it is still under warranty. I also have the
Best Buy service plan.

I don't want to send my camera to Canon because of this crack since
everything else is working fine. Frankly, I don't want them messing
with my camera. If Canon service is anything like a car dealership
service, than I want to stay away from them for as long as possible.
--
I am not politically correct. I'm honest instead...
Click to expand...
--
Daniel
http://www.pbase.com/dvogel11
300D tips
http://www.bahneman.com/liem/photos/tricks/digital-rebel-tricks.html
300D FAQ at http://www.marius.org/fom-serve/cache/3.html
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
--
My images:
http://michael972.smugmug.com

Click to expand...
--
I am not politically correct. I'm honest instead...
 
Michael972 said:
One look at the Dreb will tell you that it is not made for
dropping. I don't even know if extended warranties will cover
droppage. I
Click to expand...
I remember reading at least 2 posts about dropping the DR (swinging an open backpack over the shoulder, and the DR fell out, onto the pavement (?) with the 70-200 lens. Both survived the fall, with obviously a few chips on the body. Can't find it right now, but please remember, only the skin is plastic, the frame inside is metal.

Evidently, digital cameras has more delicate boards, circuits inside, along with the usual mechanical parts, so with a fall, parts could be malfunctioning, but it is not that particularly weak from what I read so far...
 
HonestMan said:
Do you think I should do anything about this crack? I only had the
camera for 5 months so it is still under warranty. I also have the
Best Buy service plan.

I don't want to send my camera to Canon because of this crack since
everything else is working fine. Frankly, I don't want them messing
with my camera. If Canon service is anything like a car dealership
service, than I want to stay away from them for as long as possible.
Click to expand...
First, Canon service is reported to be excellent and fast.

Second, you will want to do something about this while the camera is in warranty -- no telling what to expect from Best Buy service (unless it is a "replace the camera with a new one" deal).

Since the camera is working OK, I'd wait until a time when you won't need it for a while.

Also -- call Canon service and see what they say. Nothing to lose by doing that.

Phil
 
This seems to be the first ever post about a cracked Rebel. I'm not saying yours isn't cracked - just that it is not a build quality issue. The Canon G2 had some reported cracking that was purely cosmetic, but Canon had a free repair program for that. I have a G2, have used it alot, and mine never cracked, but it was nice to know it would be looked after. I'm sure thay will look after your Rebel if it is a crack.
--
Come and look at my ego site (I mean website) http://www.geocities.com/photoguynorth
 
I'll try to take a pic with my cell phone camera and see how it looks. If it comes out OK I will post it tomorrow.
 
PC Wheeler said:
HonestMan said:
Do you think I should do anything about this crack? I only had the
camera for 5 months so it is still under warranty. I also have the
Best Buy service plan.

I don't want to send my camera to Canon because of this crack since
everything else is working fine. Frankly, I don't want them messing
with my camera. If Canon service is anything like a car dealership
service, than I want to stay away from them for as long as possible.
Click to expand...
First, Canon service is reported to be excellent and fast.

Second, you will want to do something about this while the camera
is in warranty -- no telling what to expect from Best Buy service
(unless it is a "replace the camera with a new one" deal).

Since the camera is working OK, I'd wait until a time when you
won't need it for a while.

Also -- call Canon service and see what they say. Nothing to lose
by doing that.

Phil
Click to expand...
--
Tom

A-1, EOS Ellan II, DReb

PC,

Call Canon and advise them of the problem. A similiar situation happened with the Canon's Power Shot G-2 a couple of years ago. Some G-2 cameras developed a crack on one corner (always the same one). Canon handled the problem but there was a great deal of panic and insults to the quality of Canon products. My G-2, now two years old never did develop the infamous "Crack".

Tom C300
 
Man,

I suggest you see if Best Buy will just replace it.

However, if you send it to Canon for remediation, you will probably have a good result.

Of course it would be best had this not happened. But it did.

Best regards,

Doug
 
Best Buy will not replace it. I have a 4 year service plan, which means that if they have to take it in for service 3 times, then they will replace it.

My main question is if it is worth the time to send the camera somewhere (Canon or BestBuy) for a small crack since there are no other problems with the camera?
 
HonestMan said:
My main question is if it is worth the time to send the camera
somewhere (Canon or BestBuy) for a small crack since there are no
other problems with the camera?
Click to expand...
If it's just a superficial crack, I don't think you have much to worry about. You should at least determine if it is "just a crack on the finish/paint". If it's just a crack on the paint, you're talking about a purely cosmetic blemish.

But if you do decide you want it repaired, I would take it to Canon. Best Buy is probably just going to send it to Canon anyways.
 
Just this weekend my 300d's case developed a minor issue. Along the upper left side (back of camera) just to the left of the "MENU" and "INFO" buttons, the case now has a little give to it, and depresses slightly under pressure. There is a plastic creaking sound as well when I do this. I noticed it this weekend while pressing the MENU button. At this point it's a minor issue and not something I'd considered serious - it certainly doesn't affect functionality yet. However, I wonder if its the beginning of a problem that will get worse? There are screws along the bottom of the case that all look to be tight; there aren't any visible screws in the area that is now moves, so its not something obvious (to me anyway)...

Has anyone had an issues with the case depressing in this area?

--
http://www.pbase.com/chriso
 
I don't know about that. I have a Sony V1 that was dropped onto concrete from about 4 feet and only sustained a little crumple on the corner and works great to this day.

I think the DR has been dropped by some and did fairly well. Except for that guy who ran over his with his car or tractor or something. That one didn't do too well.
DannyV said:
if you drop it from any distance you will
likely be buy a new camera, the same can be said for EVERY camera I
have owned in the last 10 years, film and digital.
Click to expand...
HonestMan said:
DannyV said:
I'm not a professional photographer, and I'm not trying to become
one or pretending to be one either. Therefore, I have never gotten
involved in the threads regarding the build quality of the Digital
Rebel, and the threads talking about how different Canon cameras
are better than the Rebel etc.

I used a film SLR before and wanted to go digital and that is why I
chose the Rebel. It was the only DSLR that I could afford. Simple
as that.

During my recent trip to Chicago where I took lots of pictures I
noticed something strange on top of the pop-up flash. It looks like
a crack. It's about 1cm in length. It might be just a crack on the
finish/paint, but it still concerns me.

I never dropped this camera, and never bumbed it on anything. This
crack really got me worried about the build quality! What would
happen if I dropped it!!?? Would that mean $1000 down the drain?

I apologize for not posting pictures of this crack. I know it would
add a lot to this post. Unfortunately, I don't have a second camera
which I could take the picture with.

Has anyone else experienced similar issues?

Do you think I should do anything about this crack? I only had the
camera for 5 months so it is still under warranty. I also have the
Best Buy service plan.

I don't want to send my camera to Canon because of this crack since
everything else is working fine. Frankly, I don't want them messing
with my camera. If Canon service is anything like a car dealership
service, than I want to stay away from them for as long as possible.
--
I am not politically correct. I'm honest instead...
Click to expand...
--
Daniel
http://www.pbase.com/dvogel11
300D tips
http://www.bahneman.com/liem/photos/tricks/digital-rebel-tricks.html
300D FAQ at http://www.marius.org/fom-serve/cache/3.html
Click to expand...
--
Jim
http://www.pbase.com/jgraziano/
 
Once from about a metre off the ground (it fell off a table) onto hardwood floor lens first. That was the end of my 50 1.8 :( ..... but the camera survived. it DID break the little metal clips inside the internal flash.. but that's not a big deal at all.. makes NO difference.

I also tripped once with it, down it went and went down hard onto the floor bottom first. broke the latch on the battery door. Camera is fine... gave me an excuse to buy the Grip ;)

I love the rebel ;)

Alex
HonestMan said:
I'm not a professional photographer, and I'm not trying to become
one or pretending to be one either. Therefore, I have never gotten
involved in the threads regarding the build quality of the Digital
Rebel, and the threads talking about how different Canon cameras
are better than the Rebel etc.

I used a film SLR before and wanted to go digital and that is why I
chose the Rebel. It was the only DSLR that I could afford. Simple
as that.

During my recent trip to Chicago where I took lots of pictures I
noticed something strange on top of the pop-up flash. It looks like
a crack. It's about 1cm in length. It might be just a crack on the
finish/paint, but it still concerns me.

I never dropped this camera, and never bumbed it on anything. This
crack really got me worried about the build quality! What would
happen if I dropped it!!?? Would that mean $1000 down the drain?

I apologize for not posting pictures of this crack. I know it would
add a lot to this post. Unfortunately, I don't have a second camera
which I could take the picture with.

Has anyone else experienced similar issues?

Do you think I should do anything about this crack? I only had the
camera for 5 months so it is still under warranty. I also have the
Best Buy service plan.

I don't want to send my camera to Canon because of this crack since
everything else is working fine. Frankly, I don't want them messing
with my camera. If Canon service is anything like a car dealership
service, than I want to stay away from them for as long as possible.
--
I am not politically correct. I'm honest instead...
Click to expand...
--
http://expressionradio.no-ip.org:81/Pictures/Start.html
Willingly trapped by Canon ;)
 
Bluesky said:
please remember, only the skin is plastic, the frame inside is
metal.
Click to expand...
I think the metal frame boils down to a metal plate between the two circuit boards in the middle of the camera And a smaller plate on the bottom, for the tripod mount. It isn't like there is a cast skeleton frame. The plastic housing is pretty much it for the frame.

I don't have the link, but somebody posted a link to a page that had many (30 or 40) pictures of a DRebel that was completely disassembled. I'm going from remembering looking at those pictures.

Wayne Larmon
 
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