Bogley

James_B_Wads2000

So I was getting my camera out of the car and fumbled it to the ground. I have dropped it harder before inside of the leather carrying case without it breaking. But this time it doesn’t work. I dinged the housing that holds the retractable lens.

It’s only a $200 camera but I would rather repair it than replace it. It has been a great camera for me and have never had a lick of trouble with it in the year and a half I’ve had it. I fits me perfect because I just point and shoot.

I found these guys on the internet: Fosters Camera They are here in Salt Lake. I submitted an email request for a free estimate.

Has anyone done business with these guys? Is there any repair shop you can recommend? Should I just throw it away and buy a new one?

James

CarpeyBiggs · Joined: 18 Mar 2007 Posts: 1736 Location: Fairbanks, AK

Yeah, Fosters is good. But don't be surprised when the estimate is within 50 dollars of the price of the camera... Ain't cheap!

Richard Barron · Joined: 09 Jul 2005 Posts: 1043 Location: Byng, OK, USA

Unless it's something very simple, the repair price will likely outstrip the replacement price. I know it's a bummer, but we now live in the ultimate disposable society.

When I am on vacation or want to travel super-light, I have a Canon A560, a light and small camera that is decently capable if you appreciate its limitations. My wife has the even smaller, lighter Olympus FE-230, which fits in her smallest purse (the reason I got it for her.)

Are you set on a point-and-shoot? Right now we are in an exceptional technological renaissance, and digital SLRs are better and cheaper than ever. I might steer you in the direction of the Nikon D40X. Worth a look, anyway.

ExpUt · Joined: 30 Jul 2007 Posts: 146

I dropped my little Sony point and shoot digital last week. The thing is several years old so I didn't expect it to be worth fixing... sure enough Inkley's quoted me $180 to fix (I paid $200 new). I ended up buying a newer model.

I would still like to get this one fixed, if anything to have a "beater" camera I can leave locked in the glovebox.

Check with Fosters and let us know what they have to say. I had an SLR repaired by them years ago, they seemed very reasonable at the time?

Summit42 · Joined: 03 Aug 2006 Posts: 1937 Location: 127.0.0.1

The LCD screen on my camera broke last week.. sucks $120 to fix it. I called Kodak and let them know that LCD screen is a POS and should not of broken in the first place. They are setting it up for a free repair ... lets see if they change their mind when they see it.

Sombeech · Joined: 09 Dec 2004 Posts: 11702 Location: The Rubbish Bin

I'm still dealing with a broken LCD on my sony Handycam. I can't justify spending over $100 to fix it, so I'm just going to buy another cheap camcorder with AV input. I've found a few below $200 here and there, including ebay.

James_B_Wads2000 · Posted: Wed Aug 29, 2007 4:25 pm Post subject:

I got a reply from Foster’s. They want a minimum of $85 labor to take it apart and try to straighten the housing. If it can’t be straightened then they would have to order replacement parts at a price they did not estimate. All of this assumes the optics have not been compromised and the lenses are still straight.

So I am going to try and take it apart my self. I figure that since I am an engineering student I should be able to at least try to take it apart. If it is just bent housing then I may be able to fix it using the machine shop at my job. Either that or I break it worse and have to cough up the $200 for a new one. It’s win-win. :2thumbs:

James

JP · Joined: 04 Jan 2007 Posts: 4433 Location: Shelton, CT.

James_B_Wads2000 wrote: So I am going to try and take it apart my self.
:2thumbs: :2thumbs: :2thumbs: :2thumbs:

ExpUt · Joined: 30 Jul 2007 Posts: 146

James_B_Wads2000 wrote: ...I figure that since I am an engineering student I should be able to at least try to take it apart...

Hijack: Where are you an egineering student at? ME I presume?

James_B_Wads2000 · Posted: Thu Aug 30, 2007 12:23 pm Post subject:

ExpUt wrote: James_B_Wads2000 wrote: ...I figure that since I am an engineering student I should be able to at least try to take it apart...

Hijack: Where are you an egineering student at? ME I presume?

Yes ME at the University of Utah. :utes7:

James :crazy:

James_B_Wads2000 · Posted: Thu Aug 30, 2007 12:32 pm Post subject:

Officemax has an identical new one for $189. Not quite identical this one has 8Mp mine has 5Mp and mine was $250 at Christmas ’05.

Link Here

James

JP · Joined: 04 Jan 2007 Posts: 4433 Location: Shelton, CT.

Looks like a sweet deal and a nice upgrade :2thumbs:

greyhair biker · Joined: 04 Oct 2005 Posts: 3032 Location: GreenRiver, Wy

I am impressed with Canon to say the least...and this must be an inherent problem with small equipment - I dropped my canon powershot SD550 7.0 meg ELPH on the lens of course, sent it out THREE DAYS AGO...and it now sits in my grubby hands! under warranty, free of charge and they replaced the LCD and rebuilt the lens....works great....COOL!
and here's a test picture taken this morning...

ExpUt · Joined: 30 Jul 2007 Posts: 146

James_B_Wads2000 wrote: ExpUt wrote: James_B_Wads2000 wrote: ...I figure that since I am an engineering student I should be able to at least try to take it apart...

Hijack: Where are you an egineering student at? ME I presume?

Yes ME at the University of Utah. :utes7:

James :crazy:

How far along are you?

I graduated from the U's ME program last year, excellent experience!

James_B_Wads2000 · Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2007 10:04 pm Post subject:

I am finishing up my sophmore year.

James :rockon: