Seeing spots

Mary Sparrow · 01-25-2005, 11:13 AM

Hi Holly, sorry it has taken a few days to get back to you.

I tried what you said, it made sense to me, but got a perfectly black screen...so I don't think it is that.

I then took a picture of my kids and didn't see the spots anymore so thought maybe it was gone. Unfortunately, I think the reason I didn't see it was because so much was going on in the picture. I again tried to take a picture of a WIP and the spots are there again. I can see them through the lense, I tried to clean the lense while looking through the viewfinder, I can see the spots, but the lense rag didn't move anything, it is almost like whatever it is is on the inside of the lense.

When I really stare at the lense in different light, I see a couple of places that possibly look like tiny scratches, the only thing that seems wierd to me is that they are small lines, not perfect circles like what is showing up on the pictures and in my view finder.

Yes, it is a digital camera. Im very frustrated, and worried that this is not a problem that can be fixed...or at the very least fixed for cheap.

Janel Maples · 01-26-2005, 07:02 PM

Mary,

Don't you have the Canon Digital Rebel? That lens is removable.

Keep us posted with what the problem is. I will watch closely because I have the same camera.

Mary Sparrow · 01-26-2005, 08:13 PM

No Janel, I have a fuji s602. But I am looking at the rebel, do you like it? Anything you don't like?

Mike McCarty · 01-26-2005, 08:44 PM

Mary,

I doubt that your camera is ruined. Check with your retail store for the nearest repair shop. All these stores must have a connection to repair shops. It probably just needs to be blown out from the inside.

Even if you get a new camera I would have this one repaired to use as a backup. If you plan to sell it you will probably be better served if it is repaired.

Mary Sparrow · 01-26-2005, 08:55 PM

Mike, I took the camera into the shop today. I live in a podunk town and it is amazing we have a camera shop at all.

He looked at it and said he didn't have a clue what the spots were. That I would need to send it off to fuji and it would take weeks and he had no clue what it would cost but doubted it would be less than 100 dollars. Well, I don't have several weeks to be without a camera. This camera also has two different options for media storage, one for a smart media card and one for a flash drive? I think that is what it is called, well, something is wrong with the flash drive as well. I just don't think it will be worth the time and effort. I bought the camera used, it served me very well for a year and a half, so I don't feel TOO slighted. But this is still making me angry, I was getting ready to order that full set of Great Americans..now I think the camera might take priority.

The camera shop is a canon dealer and is very much pushing that Rebel on me. But from everything I have read at dpreview, the d70 sounds nicer. However, I have to wonder, do I really need that much camera?

Mary Sparrow · 01-26-2005, 08:59 PM

Also, your suggestion to keep this camera for backup is a good idea. I doubt I could get much more than $100 for it "as is". It still takes good pictures....that is plus a few spots. But in a pinch it would do, even if it is nothing more than for birthday parties. There is so much going at those things, I doubt the spots would be noticed!

Mike McCarty · 01-26-2005, 09:07 PM

Any camera can go belly up at the worst possible time. The last two cameras I've owned, prior to the D70, I dropped on the concrete within two weeks of purchase.

In a pinch those spots could easily be knocked out in photoshop.

Marvin Mattelson · 01-27-2005, 11:24 AM

Dust will eventually find it's way onto the CCD of every digital camera. The D70 has a feature where you can shoot a reference photo of a white card and the camera will eradicate those black dots on your picture by interpolating surrounding data over them.

Also if you follow the proper procedures for changing lenses you can eliminate much of the potential for problems. It's also much easier for a technician to clean a camera with a removable lens.

The D70 will give you great pictures out of the box on the auto setting. As you familiarize yourself with the camera you will discover how you can further maximize your results if you so choose.

The kit lens on the D70 is a much better quality lens that the one that comes with the Canon. A better lens gives you superior images all things being equal. The Cannon Eos is a stripped down version of it's more expensive predecessor the 10D while the D70 is a slightly improved version of it's more expensive predecessor the D100. Both have lighter non metal bodies.

Many people feel that the D70 matches up well to the new 8 megapixel Canon D20 which is far more costly.

The lenses are a one time investment. When the time comes to move up to your next camera you will already have lenses that will work as long as you stay within the same company.

I'm continually impressed by the quality of my D70's images. It's my second favorite piece of technology, next to my new iPod of course.

Mike McCarty · 01-26-2005, 09:00 PM

Mary,

What are you finding the difference in price to be between the D70 kit that includes the lens (I paid $1299 I think) and the Rebel with the lens?

Mary Sparrow · 01-26-2005, 09:06 PM

Quite a bit..to me anyway. I have found the rebel with a lense for anywhere between 700-900 and the d70 is consistently over a thousand, ususally in the range you paid.