Returning 40D

[photoguynorth]

Colin,

I am just as frustrated with the trolls as anyone (more than most) but your post clearly was not a problem. You were honest, did not try to generalize or stir cr@p up - and indeed are using the forums for what they are for. Sometimes peoples frustration with trolls makes them too quick to jump on an innocent bystander.

It is too bad you had problems (they will happen with any brand/model) and I hope if you get another one later that it is a good copy. In the meantime - enjoy your existing cameras!

 

[John Sullivan]

Colin:

Given the issues with your particular 40D and your current plans, returning the camera makes sense. Hopefully the one you get next year will be perfect.

I can relate to new camera problems. My 10D was one of the earliest ones available and had the "focusing issue." After a trip to Irvine with all my lenses it is on target now.

The specs on the 40D look great. I do not have an immediate need for the upgrade so I am waiting for:

(1) Phil's review;
(2) Any somewhat generalized problems to be recognized and corrected; and
(3) To let those with a more urgent need get the camera first.

I will admit I was able to fondle one at Photoshop World in Vegas last weekend and talk to the Canon reps. I think it will be a major upgrade from my 10D and expect to purchase one in a month or two.

Do let us know how Best Buy treats you.

--
John S
http://www.jsullivanlawyer.com/Galleries.htm

 

[Colin Smith1]

Just got back from Best Buy. Young sales clerk had to go through the box and inventory the contents. After that I had to explain the problems, but no trouble getting a full credit. There was no restocking fee. They had sold their remaining 4 40D cameras and had a back order for 10 more. None of the original 40Ds sold had come back for a refund.
Colin Smith

 

[tknterry]

Its great they gave you no problems with the return. It would be interesting to know what Best Buy will now do with the camera. Send it back to Canon or just turn it around and sell it again So do you plan on buying a 40D at a later date Colin for your Galapagos trip?
--
---Terry



http://photostuff.org/galapagos.html

 

[HFL28]

Thanks for sharing your experience. I am thinking about upgrading to the 40D from 350D and will wait until more reviews come out before purchasing it.

Since your camera was defective, that was probably why Best Buy didn't charge you the 15% restocking fee. Or that it is illegal to do so in your state. Here is their return policy and some stores are quite strict about this.

Restocking fee

A restocking fee of 15% will be charged on opened notebook computers, projectors, camcorders, digital cameras, radar detectors, GPS/navigation and in-car video systems unless defective or prohibited by law.

Just got back from Best Buy. Young sales clerk had to go through the
box and inventory the contents. After that I had to explain the
problems, but no trouble getting a full credit. There was no
restocking fee. They had sold their remaining 4 40D cameras and had
a back order for 10 more. None of the original 40Ds sold had come
back for a refund.
Colin Smith

 

[sasquatch98]

I agree, I'm becoming disgusted with dpreview's forums as of late. This bickering and complaining about the 40d is out of hand, you used to be able to find some good information but anymore it seem more like children bickering over insignificant specs. I think a new shooter would probably be better off over at fred miranda where hopefully they can learn more about photography, technique, etc. as opposed to what these forums have descended into.

The chances of you getting a faulty camera, in spite of what you may
read, is most unlikely. Out of every complaint about a problem there
are thousands of happy shooters. I have bought five Canon cameras in
recent years and have never had a single problem with any. On top of
that I have never got a faulty lens or flash either.

Some problems no doubt are genuine, but many are due to the operator
not understanding the camera.

Just go out and take lots of photos and get to know the 40D - it is a
fabulous camera and by far the best I have owned!

Excellent comments.

People who have little experience with products should not be reading
enthusiast forums. They will get distorted views of reality. It
happens on photography, automobile and other discussion forums. The
best thing for novices of any sort to do is simply to go out and
purchase the product that appeals most and use it. After gaining
some experience it will be easier to put all coments into perspective.

It needs to be recognized as well, that for those who are
dissillusioned, those who have an axe to grind, those who want their
competitors to fail, those who have problems and are looking for
solutions - all will be posting negative comments and these are the
majority of comments being made to discussion forums. It is rare
that anyone who has no such issues will be posting about all the
benefits and great qualities of their camera, car etc. On the other
hand, there are enough posts that do illustrate what a camera or any
other product is capable of to give those who are not looking for
problems a fair idea of the true situation.
Contrary to what seems to be the accepted belief now, internet
discussion forums do not reflect reality and they are not a very good
resource for reliable purchasing information. The noise/signal ratio
is far too high for them to be of much value.

 

[simon65]

Colin Smith1 wrote:
The camera consistently underexposes in all metering

modes by a half to one full stop compared to my 30D that appears to
me to be right on the money. Using any of my telephotos - a 180L
Macro, 100-400L and my 500 F4 L the pictures look soft and muddy,

Oh oh, cue slasher music from Hitchcock's Pyscho movie, this is seriously scary news.

Just when when you thougt it was save to buy another Canon ...the underexposure monster leaps out again!

I know some are going to tell me the sensor doesn't count, blar blar, but the 40D does share its sensor underpinnings with the 400D (and maybe more), and the 400D has with underexposure what the MkIII has with dodgy focusing! ie the Mother of all problems.

Just type in 'underexposure 400D' in the DPR 400D forum search engine and see the number of hits there are to be had. People have been screaming about it ever since the 400D came out.

The other complaint with the 400D, is -- as the Herald Tribune pointed out -- 'muddy' images vis-a-vis the competition. One guy on the 400D thread also posted a fantastic demonstration of the muddy washed out pics he was getting with his Canon versus a 200 usd cheaper camera.

Worse, Canon's response! Just as with the MkIII, they see no evil, hear no evil, and speak no evil. Ring up Canon customer service and their official response is that they've never heard of a Canon 400D underexposing, which given all the complaints among DPRers, simply beggers belief! It's dishonest.

One camera (400D) is one thing, two cameras (MkIII) is looking careless, but if Canon have launched another bug ridden dog on the market I believe the market is seriously going to turn against them.

I hope for Canon's sake, and 40D users everywhere that this isn't the case.

 

[rwbaron]

Mine is problem free. Couldn't be happier. I believe the OP just got a bad one. Maybe it was dropped or mishandled in shipping? Who knows?

Bob

modes by a half to one full stop compared to my 30D that appears to
me to be right on the money. Using any of my telephotos - a 180L
Macro, 100-400L and my 500 F4 L the pictures look soft and muddy,

Oh oh, cue slasher music from Hitchcock's Pyscho movie, this is
seriously scary news.

Just when when you thougt it was save to buy another Canon ...the
underexposure monster leaps out again!

I know some are going to tell me the sensor doesn't count, blar blar,
but the 40D does share its sensor underpinnings with the 400D (and
maybe more), and the 400D has with underexposure what the MkIII has
with dodgy focusing! ie the Mother of all problems.

Just type in 'underexposure 400D' in the DPR 400D forum search engine
and see the number of hits there are to be had. People have been
screaming about it ever since the 400D came out.

The other complaint with the 400D, is -- as the Herald Tribune
pointed out -- 'muddy' images vis-a-vis the competition. One guy on
the 400D thread also posted a fantastic demonstration of the muddy
washed out pics he was getting with his Canon versus a 200 usd
cheaper camera.

Worse, Canon's response! Just as with the MkIII, they see no evil,
hear no evil, and speak no evil. Ring up Canon customer service and
their official response is that they've never heard of a Canon 400D
underexposing, which given all the complaints among DPRers, simply
beggers belief! It's dishonest.

One camera (400D) is one thing, two cameras (MkIII) is looking
careless, but if Canon have launched another bug ridden dog on the
market I believe the market is seriously going to turn against them.

I hope for Canon's sake, and 40D users everywhere that this isn't the
case.

--
http://www.pbase.com/rwbaron
My PBASE page is new and growing so please be patient.

 

[photoguynorth]

This is clearly not a common problem - and the OP has compared his shots to others posted by the same camera.
Bottom line - some just will not be perfect. Why the drama?

 

[netgarden]

you are not by yourself in this.

like I told the store guy after he asked me if I shoot in auto [which really ticked me off], if a beginner had this camera they would not notice these OOF problems.

I tell him I am a BIF shooter and the contrast was so bad the loss of detail in the bird was worse than a point and shoot.

I believe much of the problems are autofocus on distant subjects and maybe some front focus gong on, which will throw off a focus at a distance, even though you hear and see the focus beep. I have never thrown away so many photos!

It could be a quality control issue, but hope not. Hope its just a few. I went down to Canon -who recommended I get my money back and let thwe dealer return it to canon-and also they said that they don't even have the software yet from HongKong to calibrate the 40D.

So Samys [bless their hearts] refunded for me today.

I loved the camera other than that, so will try to get another for sure. I just think mine was off enough to disturb my style of shooting.
No discussion needed about whether we are whining. Facts are facts.

--



Linda~ http://netgarden.smugmug.com/
You don't take a photograph. You ask, quietly, to borrow it. Author Unknown

 

[netgarden]

The store that refunded me today said "I have never had a canon body returned for focus problems, this is rare." haha [I smiled until I got my money back]

It's all about tolerance and loyalty.....lol [read my other post here]

I will get another though!

Mine was just not calibrated for birding...a macro guy might have loved it in controled situations...end of story
--



Linda~ http://netgarden.smugmug.com/
You don't take a photograph. You ask, quietly, to borrow it. Author Unknown

 

[Willa]

Colin, I just wanted to drop a note to say that you DO have my sympathy.

I can only imagine the frustration! I would be whining big time! I hope you can get the problem resolved quickly and as painlessly as possible.

I will be looking for your Galapagos photos. In the meantime, I am "this close" to ordering a 5D (which I've been threatening to do for months), as I still use my 10D & 20D (dinosaurs!). I'd LOVE to own the 40D, too. Now, if only my wallet wouldn't be giving me such resistance ...


Willa

--
http://www.PBase.com/willa

 

[Torch]

One camera (400D) is one thing, two cameras (MkIII) is looking
careless, but if Canon have launched another bug ridden dog on the
market I believe the market is seriously going to turn against them.

It's not going to take that long now.

The more you purchase, the greater the risk. Will it now be testing a good copy of everything in combinations?

Somebody at the office must have thought users could become beta testers so product could be rushed to market quicker?

Unfortunately they forgot to mention everything had to be designed for software solutions only.

Yup Canon. The company that refused to give away lens hoods for anything, but L glass. Where are they now?

The fine crystal slipped from Canon's hand when Front & Back focus issues were not eliminated and a few could not even get corrections completed in 1 service visit.

Would you gift somebody a 1DMkIII for Christmas? Even yourself?

Maybe there will be a Canon "OOF & Goof + Flaws" photo contest.

One day office justice could mount somebody on the front of a bullet train as a compensation package.

At least there is always hope for a lead contamination recall.

They'll bounce back after you know how long their bungee cord was.

Unfortunately since the Rebel Canon now seems to live by a "Cripple and Compensate" cycle which is repeating.

Fortunately I have a limiited DSLR equipment investment with Canon.
I never liked the prospects of searching good lens copies anyway.
--
Torch

 

[tissunique]

What the hell has 'emotions' to do with it? The guys' camera stinks and I am not surprised at his disappointment. What the hell is happening at Canon?
Tony

 

[Ted RW]

How exciting - it's like the 10D focus mania all over again!

And mine's going back too (exchange not refund) as the autofocus is woefully out (i.e. registered focus at 18ft and actually focused at 5ft!). Also image sharpness inconsistent across the frame and generally soft.

The lens is a brand new EF-S 17-55 2.8 IS though I have conducted focus and IQ tests on other, L series, lenses. The lens is going back too, due to horrendous CA.

Having gone through two shutters on my old 10D I was looking forward to a step up in resolution and RAW buffer but it looks as though I'll have to wait till Monday. Warehouse Express have been outstanding again - discussion by phone, no problems - it'll be a courier drop and collect - great service.

Ted

 

[photoguynorth]

Hmmm - a small handfull of problems reported (some of which are obviously faked by trolls) - and something dreadfully wrong is afoot! Hold the doors - we are being attacked by armies of gang members wielding AK47s!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh no, wait - it's a girl guide selling cookies - never mind!

What the hell has 'emotions' to do with it? The guys' camera stinks
and I am not surprised at his disappointment. What the hell is
happening at Canon?
Tony

 

[Glenn W.]

I had not really shot any flash photos with mine until today... (after reading this)

I never shoot in Auto... well, unless you consider "Program mode" as being Auto... but anyway, The first few shots I took in 'program' mode, did indeed look underexposed when using the pop up flash. Checking the menus I found settings I know nothing about 'evaluative' vs 'average' ETTL-II settings... 'average' seemed to yield better results for me... bumping the flash exposure compensation up also helped and was in fact able to over expose... but anyway, clearly I have to read up more about ETTL-II and the settings the 40D has for this....

I turned on full Auto... just to see what happens... My 40D exposed quite well actually...

So... perhaps you do have something wrong with your camera... I'm pretty happy with mine.

It is your choice to believe this or not. The brand loyalty here is
close to paranoid. I am also brand loyal to Canon and certainly
don't intend to change - I have been using Canon cameras and lenses
for twenty years. I decided tonight to return my 40D Kit to Best Buy
tomorrow. I am not maintaining that the flaws I have seen are in all
cameras- in fact there are so many satisfied people on this forum
that I must just have a bad one. I have used it for two days and
here is what is wrong - the popup flash exposures in Program mode
(the only one I tried) are off by at least two stops and around half
were unusable. The camera consistently underexposes in all metering
modes by a half to one full stop compared to my 30D that appears to
me to be right on the money. Using any of my telephotos - a 180L
Macro, 100-400L and my 500 F4 L the pictures look soft and muddy,
maybe just slightly out of focus, sometimes in front and sometimes in
back, compared to the 30D when used on the same subjects and
settings. I did a backyard test with all these lenses and the
difference is noticable. I have seen pictures on this forum using
those lenses that were incredibly sharp so I know that isn't right.
before you say it I know how to get sharp photos and understand good
technique - tripod, cable release- dof. I am not going to ask for an
exchange, but money back. I bought this camera for the great
features, but I think I am going to wait a while before trying
another. Maybe Canon needs to get the quality control fixed on this
new body. I am living proof that there are some bad copies out there.
--
Colin Smith