I don’t have a Canon. My camera is a Nikon D40 and there are forums and sites like this full of discussion about obvious defects in the D40 as well as others, but the attitude seems to be, swallow and take it. Have it repaired and stop whining.

I am more afraid of this generation of compromisers than the products being sold so blatantly with obvious defects. Indeed the term, — laughing all the way to the bank fits, but the customers are crying all the way to the bank, shelling out time and money to repair or replace cameras that even the slowest of us could determine the defects were known.

Look, I have a floor model television. 27 years old with the original remote and instruction booklet. Bought it used a few years ago. Picture–fantastic. Sound? Makes me want to cry that I will never get built in speakers that amazing these days. It’s been going on the blink the past few months so I finally bought a new one. You think it will be around working that well 20 years from now? No. It won’t. Back in the day they seemed to have a better standard and pride in producing products. Today it’s about the money and churning out products whether they work as they should or not. Marketing is all that matters.

If you make a living with your camera these defects are unacceptable and the attitude of the companies who design and sell them equally so.

My camera has hot pixel problems. I am told it will cost 200 dollars to have it fixed and I will have to wait 3 or 4 weeks to get it back.

I’m appalled that the store where I bought it could say this so easily. The camera is at this point, only one and a half years old, bought brand new. I told him I would be in as soon as I rob somebody and get the money to have it repaired (smile).

Could it be that the positive reviews, the opportunities to make money by promoting and marketing these products (also the product freebies) is producing a “gagged” community of people who are willing to let others buy these products knowing they are defective?

When these camera work well they are simply amazing. This is not a put down of SLRs but seriously, craftsmen and professionals are supposed to be antsy about the tools they use to make a living. If a carpenter bought a defective drill he would expect the store or company to take it back pronto and replace it no cost to him.

Photographers must not look at their cameras as tools and the core of their livelihood.

P.S. Brand names mean nothing. Treat them all the same. They will screw you. Nikon is getting as many complaints on workmanship of their products as Canon. This is massive disregard and an unacceptable trend of careless design and manufacturing.

Many thanks.
Harry.

If I were you I would wait at least 4 months after the 1D Mark 4′s general availability before I buy one. I’d wait for the reviews and for comments from other people who have used one. Canon’s latest product releases have not been very good and if you read my 7D post you can see why:
http://blog.kareldonk.com/canon-eos-7d-review-noisier-than-40d/

You don’t want to spend money to find out the product has issues later. And if you do get one, make sure there’s a return policy, so you can return it for a full refund if it doesn’t work. And as soon as you get it, test it thoroughly to make sure it works well. If not, send it back.

I am using 1Ds MK lll at present and have decided to up grade to MK lV, do you recon that is a wise step! or shall I stick to the MK lll for the moment? I have definitely canceled buying 50mm f/1.2L lens after reading your comment.

Harry.

Read what I have written about the 5D Mark II before you buy one:
http://blog.kareldonk.com/canon-eos-5d-mark-ii-not-worth-it-save-your-money/

We’ll have to see if the 1D Mark 4 is going to be good.

I am also seriously fed up with Canon’s poor customer service and the need to constantly spend money recalibrating lenses. I have the 1ds Mark 3 and the 50mm 1.2.

I like to think we deliver sharp pictures and combined with the need to use relatively high shutter speeds (125 +) to avoid camera shake (too many pixels apparently). The need to shoot wide open is increased. I also don’t like to shoot over ISO 400. It just isn’t that good, especially for £5500 when compared to Nikons D3.

So we are awaiting the release of the 1ds Mark 4… what will we have to put up with next?

Is the new 1D Mark 4 up to much? Or should I settle for the 5D mark 2 as the next purchase?

Take a look at this shot: http://photosbyrene.com/files/img_1347.jpg A little blemish touch-up was done on her forehead using PhotoShop Elements, but other than that, the image is as captured. Look at it at 100% and you’ll see the difference in focus on the left side of her face vs the right. Is that a back focus issue? NO, it’s the lens design and it gives me a look not many, if any, other lenses can.

I have this lens and haven’t had any of the problems you outlined (perhaps I got lucky and got a god copy). That includes shooting in AI-servo (predictive focus) or “one-shot” using a focus lock technique. This lens has allowed me to capture shots I would not have otherwise been able to get with any other lens. Most of what I shoot is low-stage-lighting performance action and is extremely demanding on equipment.

If you got a bad copy OK, go get a good one or pursue sending it into Canon for a tweak because this is a lens every serious Canon tog needs in their bag!!!

But I guess nowadays in the age of “auto everything”-SLRs, pushing one button must be enough.

If they bring out a fully functional version, I’ll definitely get one.