July 26, 2005
Camera is Back
Yesterday, I got my camera back. Back, you ask? Yes, back. I kind of broke it about three weeks ago when I essentially dropped it onto the floor from my shoulder. After that, the lens wouldn't come out of my Canon S70, the LCD wouldn't work, and there was this strange clicking sound when I would shake it. This wasn't exactly covered under the warranty.
So I sent it back to Canon with the understanding that it would cost at least $150 to fix and up to $350. With all that damage, I was thinking it would be on the higher end, but to my pleasant surprise, it only cost $150 for the repairs. What exactly did they do? Well, according to the service details, they "replaced dc/dc PCB, operate ass'y, switch ass'y, front cover, window LCD and finder unit, firmwear updated, cleaned, checked all functions." So they fixed that cover problem and the LCD and cleaned it! It really did need a good cleaning.
While the S70 was in the shop, Jake was nice enough to loan me his "backup" camera, the Canon Digital Rebel as I debated whether I wanted to get a digital SLR or not. Now, I'll be the first to admit that I have no need whatsoever for a dSLR, but I have this strange desire to get one. I don't need it for my food/cat photos or all the other I take pictures of, but I would certainly like one. The S70 is actually very useful for some of the things I take pictures of, like food. The macro function on it is really great and it's small enough to carry around every day without being a nuisance.
But...if I got a dSLR, say a Canon 20D, I would be able to...er...take slightly better photos, and funnel loads of income into unnecessary accessories like lenses and such. Wouldn't that be great? The downside, besides cost is the overall size and bulkiness of the dSLR. While using Jake's camera, I've determined that it's really not all that bad, but it's not great either. Since I already carry a bag, I'm kind of used to the weight. All I would have to do is thin out the useless crap that I carry around.
I've since calmed slightly from my "I want now" phase to more of a "I'll get it when the time is right" phase. I find this very surprising, since I'm a horrible impulse buyer. But to be realistic, I think I'll be splurging and buying the 20D in the next few months.
Posted by tien mao in Tech at 7:55 AM
Oh Tien, drink the coolaid, buy now, you need a 20D now. But then $1500 will get you plenty of sneakers... choices...
Posted by: Keith at July 26, 2005 8:57 AM
Ah, "me want now." I know it so well.
Posted by: corie at July 26, 2005 9:25 AM
I dunno, the pictures I saw you take with the 20D did not look as good as the ones you took with the S70. I recall the fireworks pictures looking abit washed out with the 20D. Maybe its just me...
Posted by: Rocknrope at July 26, 2005 3:49 PM
you think? let's see, these were the last photos i took with the S70 to appear on the site with regularity. the rest were with jake's digital rebel or from my photo archives.
basically, everything that i didn't say was the 20D and was in a 3:2 ratio was with the rebel.
Posted by: tien ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.tienmao.com/nav-commenters.gif)
at July 26, 2005 3:56 PM
Consider the Powershot Pro1 as a happy medium
Posted by: rich at July 26, 2005 4:28 PM
Yep, looking at those two sets of fireworks pics, the s70 pics look crisper and sharper to me than the 20D.
Posted by: Rocknrope at July 26, 2005 4:52 PM
do it, do it!
Posted by: dragonballyee at July 26, 2005 4:57 PM
First it will be splurging on a 20D then it will be a big fat PURSE!
Posted by: shannan at July 26, 2005 5:57 PM
I'm pretty impressed by the shots you took with the S70. I know the SLR is sexy like a stick shift, but I don't think there would be a direct corrolation between the improvement to the photos you end up with and the money you spend. You'd look and feel a lot more badass though...
Posted by: ryan at July 26, 2005 6:41 PM
crisper and sharper, eh? even the non-fireworks photos? it might just be the experience factor.
and ryan, never underestimate the power of badass.
Posted by: tien at July 26, 2005 7:04 PM
with the SLR, a good deal of quality (i think) depends on good lenses, which also SUCK UP ALL YOUR MONEY. it's awesome.
Posted by: yp at July 27, 2005 10:31 AM
Why go with the 20D when you can spend half as much for the Rebel XT which is noticeably smaller than the 20D and its predecessor. For the most part it'll be the lenses that matter anyway so with the money you save with the XT you can get a rockin' lens.
Posted by: Ben at July 27, 2005 2:43 PM
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Ben: Why go with the 20D when you can spend half as much for the Rebel XT which is no... {read on}
yp: with the SLR, a good deal of quality (i think) depends on good lenses, which als... {read on}
tien: crisper and sharper, eh? even the non-fireworks photos? it might just be the exp... {read on}
ryan: I'm pretty impressed by the shots you took with the S70. I know the SLR is sexy... {read on}
shannan: First it will be splurging on a 20D then it will be a big fat PURSE! ... {read on}
dragonballyee: do it, do it! ... {read on}
Rocknrope: Yep, looking at those two sets of fireworks pics, the s70 pics look crisper and ... {read on}
rich: Consider the Powershot Pro1 as a happy medium... {read on}
tien: you think? let's see, these were the last photos i took with the S70 to appear o... {read on}
Rocknrope: I dunno, the pictures I saw you take with the 20D did not look as good as the on... {read on}