G3 Just arrived - possible LCD problem - need advice.

[Marc-O]

I think that contrary to what you think, everybody sees it from her perspective and sympathizes, but there's just not much to do other than hoping best buy or canon will replace her cam for a defect that's seldomly known as (sadly) deemed acceptable... :

I just received my Canon G3 today and noticed a tiny black dot in
the LCD (mostly visible with white backgrounds) but can also see on
other objects.

I don't know what this might indicate. My only other digital camera
experience is with my Epson PhotoPC 700 of four years and I never
experienced anything like this.

Did I receive a bad camera? Any advice from more experienced users
is greatly appreciated!

Thank You,
Michelle

 

[Michelle120146]

A quick note of thanks to all who took the time to reply to my query and supply insightful information.

In the end, I decided to just keep the camera, as the thought of dealing with the hassle of returning or exchanging by mail/etc. gave my stomach some knots. Now that I understand this does not affect the photo for display or printing, I guess I can live with it.

If anyone's interested, here's a few photos I first shot with the camera:

http://www.pbase.com/zuzu66/g3

Keep in mind, I'm an amateur and these are all handheld, using Auto. I was just messing around trying a few different things, esp. macro. (My personal favorite is the Flag with the moon in the background).

If anyone has a reference for a good book, e-book, or webiste I could use to learn the basics of Manual photography, please pass it on.

Again, I really appreciate helpful comments by those who replied!

Ciao,
Michelle

 

[rosie b]

If anyone has a reference for a good book, e-book, or webiste I
could use to learn the basics of Manual photography, please pass it
on.

Glad you had your problem sorted.

Have a look at this thread. http://www.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1018&message=3793714
The book sounds great and there is a link to a review of it.--
Rosie

 

[Billie]

Michelle, if the spot is pin size, you'll get used to it and won't even notice it. It won't show in photos if it's just a dead pixel.

And your photo gallery is very good. I can't believe your new to photography. You have a very good eye and sense of framing. Thanks for posting

I just received my Canon G3 today and noticed a tiny black dot in
the LCD (mostly visible with white backgrounds) but can also see on
other objects.

I don't know what this might indicate. My only other digital camera
experience is with my Epson PhotoPC 700 of four years and I never
experienced anything like this.

Did I receive a bad camera? Any advice from more experienced users
is greatly appreciated!

Thank You,
Michelle

 

[Japio]

Michelle,

Just return it and make use of the return policy. You get your money back and purchase the camera somewhere else (or at the same store a couple of days later) You are absolutely right about the amount of money: defective = defective and thus unacceptable for a brand new camera!!!! Therefore, I totally agree with you.

I do have to say that I agree with Michelle when she asks why she
can't do anything about it. Although it is considered normal and
acceptable, if there are cameras out there without the dead pixel,
I want one of those! : ) Sam

Likewise, Sam. That's exactly how I feel.

To me, $800 is a lot of money.

If this were an older model I'd purchased second hand, I would
definitely be able to 'just accept' the dead pixel. However, when
paying full retail for a brand new item, I feel I'm entitled to
receive brand new quality (i.e. NO defects). I'm curious: how come
so many posters here feel this is something that 'just is' and
nothing can be done about it? Why is it idealistic to expect no
dead pixels upon delivery of an expensive camera?

Bottom line is, I guess I just feel disappointed.
I exhaustively researched my purchase decision, waited awhile for
the model to come out, then shelled out the cash, and to have it
arrive sub-par, kinda took the wind out of my sails.

Now I'll have to attempt an exchange, or contact Canon...

...Which means, in addition to the bum LCD disappointment, I now
have to spend more of my time and encounter whatever 'customer
service' nightmare probably awaits. Ugh.

Michelle

I just received my Canon G3 today and noticed a tiny black dot in
the LCD (mostly visible with white backgrounds) but can also see on
other objects.

I don't know what this might indicate. My only other digital camera
experience is with my Epson PhotoPC 700 of four years and I never
experienced anything like this.

Did I receive a bad camera? Any advice from more experienced users
is greatly appreciated!

Thank You,
Michelle

 

[Hezekiel]

If anyone's interested, here's a few photos I first shot with the
camera:
http://www.pbase.com/zuzu66/g3

Keep in mind, I'm an amateur and these are all handheld, using
Auto. I was just messing around trying a few different things, esp.
macro. (My personal favorite is the Flag with the moon in the
background).

It's not bad, but the Milk Door is more interesting... Why is it milk door? Is there milk behind it? Why the shape, decoration... The time of date was just perfect, lots of texture to admire! Very nice for an amateur shot!

The buildings are usually much more interesting subjects when the sunlight falls on them at very steep angle. The surface is "brought to life".

 

[Walter001]

That may be the case, but I will return any LCD-equipped product I buy (notebook, camera, etc.) that has ANY noticeable dead pixels. That's why ou always buy from places that have good return policies with no restocking fees.

Let somebody ELSE get stuck with the "acceptable" factory defects.

jason

I just received my Canon G3 today and noticed a tiny black dot in
the LCD (mostly visible with white backgrounds) but can also see on
other objects.

I don't know what this might indicate. My only other digital camera
experience is with my Epson PhotoPC 700 of four years and I never
experienced anything like this.

Did I receive a bad camera? Any advice from more experienced users
is greatly appreciated!

Thank You,
Michelle

 

[NNS]

That is why I always object to people returning their cameras to stores that simply repackage them and sell them as "new" to an unsuspecting person (you or me) when we walk in the door. Returned cameras should be labeled as used or sent back to factory for refurbishing. You may not have received a "new" camera at all.

I do have to say that I agree with Michelle when she asks why she
can't do anything about it. Although it is considered normal and
acceptable, if there are cameras out there without the dead pixel,
I want one of those! : ) Sam

Likewise, Sam. That's exactly how I feel.

To me, $800 is a lot of money.

If this were an older model I'd purchased second hand, I would
definitely be able to 'just accept' the dead pixel. However, when
paying full retail for a brand new item, I feel I'm entitled to
receive brand new quality (i.e. NO defects). I'm curious: how come
so many posters here feel this is something that 'just is' and
nothing can be done about it? Why is it idealistic to expect no
dead pixels upon delivery of an expensive camera?

Bottom line is, I guess I just feel disappointed.
I exhaustively researched my purchase decision, waited awhile for
the model to come out, then shelled out the cash, and to have it
arrive sub-par, kinda took the wind out of my sails.

Now I'll have to attempt an exchange, or contact Canon...

...Which means, in addition to the bum LCD disappointment, I now
have to spend more of my time and encounter whatever 'customer
service' nightmare probably awaits. Ugh.

Michelle

I just received my Canon G3 today and noticed a tiny black dot in
the LCD (mostly visible with white backgrounds) but can also see on
other objects.

I don't know what this might indicate. My only other digital camera
experience is with my Epson PhotoPC 700 of four years and I never
experienced anything like this.

Did I receive a bad camera? Any advice from more experienced users
is greatly appreciated!

Thank You,
Michelle

 

[TigerDave]

Great pics for starters. And yeah the dead pixel thing sucks. I got my G3 yesterday and haven't really checked it out for dead pixels (on the LCD or the sensor) yet.

I am a total perfectionist. But I work in the computer industry, and realize that dead pixels in electronic displays are identical to the automotive industries "cosmetic flaws" (aka "fit & finish"). Nothing's perfect. Even $95,000 new BMW 7 Series have rattles in the dashboards from time to time.

As long as your photos come out great (and by the looks of your gallery, they appear to be), that's all that matters in the long run. By they way, I can see you in the reflection of the faucet handle, hehehehe.

C-ya,
-- Dave

ps - Ragin Cajun billboard? Are you in Louisiana?

A quick note of thanks to all who took the time to reply to my
query and supply insightful information.

In the end, I decided to just keep the camera, as the thought of
dealing with the hassle of returning or exchanging by mail/etc.
gave my stomach some knots. Now that I understand this does not
affect the photo for display or printing, I guess I can live with
it.

If anyone's interested, here's a few photos I first shot with the
camera:

http://www.pbase.com/zuzu66/g3

Keep in mind, I'm an amateur and these are all handheld, using
Auto. I was just messing around trying a few different things, esp.
macro. (My personal favorite is the Flag with the moon in the
background).

If anyone has a reference for a good book, e-book, or webiste I
could use to learn the basics of Manual photography, please pass it
on.

Again, I really appreciate helpful comments by those who replied!

Ciao,
Michelle

 

[Dragonstar]

If anyone has a reference for a good book, e-book, or webiste I
could use to learn the basics of Manual photography, please pass it
on.

I picked up "The Basic Book of Photography" by Tom Grimm and Michelle Grimm upon this sites recommendation and it was the best help for learning the basics and even more. I suggest you go to your local bookstore and pick up a copy.

--
Dragonstar

Vegetarians eat vegetables.
Beware Humanitarians.
http://www.pbase.com/dragonstar

 

[Ron Overs]

Yes Call them better yet send back for exchange

I just received my Canon G3 today and noticed a tiny black dot in
the LCD (mostly visible with white backgrounds) but can also see on
other objects.

I don't know what this might indicate. My only other digital camera
experience is with my Epson PhotoPC 700 of four years and I never
experienced anything like this.

Did I receive a bad camera? Any advice from more experienced users
is greatly appreciated!

Thank You,
Michelle

 

[Michelle120146]

Thanks so much Billie for your encouraging words!
I'm hoping to learn manual photography soon, so I can explore even more...

And, I think I'm already getting used to the dead pixel , as I hardly notice it anymore.
: )

And your photo gallery is very good. I can't believe your new to
photography. You have a very good eye and sense of framing.
Thanks for posting

I just received my Canon G3 today and noticed a tiny black dot in
the LCD (mostly visible with white backgrounds) but can also see on
other objects.

I don't know what this might indicate. My only other digital camera
experience is with my Epson PhotoPC 700 of four years and I never
experienced anything like this.

Did I receive a bad camera? Any advice from more experienced users
is greatly appreciated!

Thank You,
Michelle

 

[G. Lentz]

... I think I'm already getting used to the dead pixel , as I
hardly notice it anymore.
: )

Glad to hear it, Michelle. But if it does start to bother you again, you might try this as a workaround: Make sure you always frame your shots so a shadow or other dark feature coincides with the location of the dead pixel. This may seem somewhat limiting at first, but hey, if I can get used to it.... ;-)

-Gregg

 

[Jadzia]

I agree too - If ppl continue to accept poor workmanship then that is what we will get. Canon has an excellent reputation for quality camera's, and I feel that these problems that show up such as poor focus, dead pixels etc would be better dealt with if consumers demand the quality of product advertised. It is an insult to expect ppl to accept anything less.

Jadzia

I do have to say that I agree with Michelle when she asks why she
can't do anything about it. Although it is considered normal and
acceptable, if there are cameras out there without the dead pixel,
I want one of those! : ) Sam

Likewise, Sam. That's exactly how I feel.

To me, $800 is a lot of money.

If this were an older model I'd purchased second hand, I would
definitely be able to 'just accept' the dead pixel. However, when
paying full retail for a brand new item, I feel I'm entitled to
receive brand new quality (i.e. NO defects). I'm curious: how come
so many posters here feel this is something that 'just is' and
nothing can be done about it? Why is it idealistic to expect no
dead pixels upon delivery of an expensive camera?

Bottom line is, I guess I just feel disappointed.
I exhaustively researched my purchase decision, waited awhile for
the model to come out, then shelled out the cash, and to have it
arrive sub-par, kinda took the wind out of my sails.

Now I'll have to attempt an exchange, or contact Canon...

...Which means, in addition to the bum LCD disappointment, I now
have to spend more of my time and encounter whatever 'customer
service' nightmare probably awaits. Ugh.

Michelle

 

[digisam]

Hmmm, So you're going to let a dead pixel dictate the composition of your shot?

Make sure you always
frame your shots so a shadow or other dark feature coincides with
the location of the dead pixel. This may seem somewhat limiting at
first, but hey, if I can get used to it.... ;-)

-Gregg

 

[G. Lentz]

Yeah, yeah, sure -- I like challenging my creativity that way... gotta learn to think inside the box. :-b

Make sure you always
frame your shots so a shadow or other dark feature coincides with
the location of the dead pixel. This may seem somewhat limiting at
first, but hey, if I can get used to it.... ;-)

-Gregg