My dSLR is broken, what to do?

[2ndbest]

First off, let me state that I can still return it. The store I bought it at has a return policy for two weeks, not satisfied guaranteed money back.

Now, on to my story: I bought a Samsung GX1L (rebadged Pentax *ist DL2) for a very sweet price (369 - 20% discount, making it a grand total of 290 euro).
With it, I bought a 2GB extreme III Sandisk SD card.

On random, the camera displays a warning message stating it can't detect the memory card. I took it to a wedding yesterday, made some pictures, turned it off and blam, no memory card found. Turned it off and on a few times, till it functioned again, and then after taking two pictures it happened again. I'm getting pretty sick of this, and have a general feeling that the camera is unreliable. My computer is having a hard time detecting the camera when I've hooked it up through USB, what makes it virtually impossible to retrieve any pictures I've made. Also, when I detach it from the usb port, and turn it back on, I get on random messages that it can't detect the memory card.

In case you're wondering, yes I did try my camera with a different sd card, sometimes the same problem would pop up, though not nearly as much. I tried my 2GB card in a different camera too, and guess what: no problems whatsoever. This baffled me, and it has generally put me off of my Samsung camera.

Here's the thing though, I can return it and get a refund, but I currently don't have any money to buy either a Nikon D40 or Canon 350D/400D. Should I just get my money back anyway, and save up for a different camera?

I'm sorry for the long read, but I'm just hoping that anyone has any good suggestions, because I'm getting sick and tired of having to worry whether my camera will function or not when I need it to.

 

[Mrvile]

Can you return it and pick up an ist DL2 for a similar price?

 

[GlendaleViper]

I say, unless you have an urgent need for a camera, get the money back and do as much research as possible. You may end up with the same camera again, but at least you'll know you made a good choice. My general rule of thumb is to look for sales after I've decided on something, otherwise ignore them. Unless it's a sale on candy, then go for it dude.

 

[2ndbest]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mrvile /img/forum/go_quote.gif Can you return it and pick up an ist DL2 for a similar price?

Nope sadly I can't, the store doesn't carry any Pentax models anymore because of bad experiences with warranty issues. If they did have Pentax models, I would have considered the K110D too, but it's not an option sadly.

 

[2ndbest]

Quote:

Originally Posted by GlendaleViper /img/forum/go_quote.gif I say, unless you have an urgent need for a camera, get the money back and do as much research as possible. You may end up with the same camera again, but at least you'll know you made a good choice. My general rule of thumb is to look for sales after I've decided on something, otherwise ignore them. Unless it's a sale on candy, then go for it dude.

Sounds like very sensible advice, thanks. I cheaped out because I thought it was an excellent price, but ever since I've bought it, I've been eyeing the 350D and D40 still because of the more available lenses.

I don't really have an urgent need for a camera, the only thing I can currently think of that I would need one for, would be my vacation, and that's 2 months away.

 

[Davesrose]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2ndbest /img/forum/go_quote.gif Nope sadly I can't, the store doesn't carry any Pentax models anymore because of bad experiences with warranty issues. If they did have Pentax models, I would have considered the K110D too, but it's not an option sadly.

Maybe the camera is really finicky about SD formats. Did you first try to format the SD card on the camera? I remember I sent you that review of the Samsung on Steve's reviews, 2ndbest. It's too bad to hear you're having problems

Well if formating the card on the camera doesn't change anything, then I think you'll need to get it exchanged (At least costumer support for Samsung is supposed to be decent).

 

[2ndbest]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Davesrose /img/forum/go_quote.gif Maybe the camera is really finicky about SD formats. Did you first try to format the SD card on the camera? I remember I sent you that review of the Samsung on Steve's reviews, 2ndbest. It's too bad to hear you're having problems Well if formating the card on the camera doesn't change anything, then I think you'll need to get it exchanged (At least costumer support for Samsung is supposed to be decent).

When the camera doesn't read my SD card anymore, I just put in my mom's, and that one reads it just fine. If I format it again, my camera will sometimes read it, but it's nothing I can trust on sadly. Sometimes the camera will read it, and the computer won't, immediately asking for me to format the card so I can use it. Formatting the card on the camera didn't help much either.

And I hope you're not feeling guilty, because these issues aside, I loved using the camera and I made some very pretty pictures with it.

 

[Davesrose]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2ndbest /img/forum/go_quote.gif And I hope you're not feeling guilty, because these issues aside, I loved using the camera and I made some very pretty pictures with it.

Well that's good to hear.....on paper and what reviews I've seen of it, it looks like a really good camera. Just to rule out any possibilities of it being an incompatibility with the card, were the other SD cards the fast Extreme III cards as well? Maybe it would like slower ones like the Ultra II. I notice on a spec sheet about the Samsung, that they say up to 1GB is guaranteed. Maybe make sure you've tried it with a card that's 1GB before giving up on it?

 

[2ndbest]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Davesrose /img/forum/go_quote.gif Well that's good to hear.....on paper and what reviews I've seen of it, it looks like a really good camera. Just to rule out any possibilities of it being an incompatibility with the card, were the other SD cards the fast Extreme III cards as well? Maybe it would like slower ones like the Ultra II. I notice on a spec sheet about the Samsung, that they say up to 1GB is guaranteed. Maybe make sure you've tried it with a card that's 1GB before giving up on it?

I tried a normal (slow) 512mb Kingston SD card, no problems with that one whatsoever. I also scouted around the internet for a firmware update, and found only one. The changelog stated it had support for SDHC cards, and nothing more.

 

[dj_mocok]

Return it right away.

Worst thing to have is an unreliable camera. What happens if you went out to important occassion, took lots of pictures and your camera suddenly decide to crap on you? You'll lose all pictures, not worth it.

I'd rather lose a bit more money (or save for better cam) than lose all my pictures forever.

 

[Davesrose]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2ndbest /img/forum/go_quote.gif I tried a normal (slow) 512mb Kingston SD card, no problems with that one whatsoever. I also scouted around the internet for a firmware update, and found only one. The changelog stated it had support for SDHC cards, and nothing more.

humm.....well it sounds like SD support might be a design weakness of the camera. Maybe they weren't kidding when they said that only 1GB is supported

Maybe the store you bought it from could let you try out another Samsung to make sure it's just not your particular unit that doesn't like 2GB cards. IMO, it doesn't hurt if you still have enough time to return an exchange if it winds up with the same problems. Then you'll know Samsung still isn't in the dSLR business

 

[Edwood]

Did you try updating the firmware, if there is one available? Ironically, you need to use the SD card to update the firmware.

I have a Pentax *ist DS, and the latest firmware added SDHC support. It is one extremely reliable camera. It has never had any problem with any card I put in it.

-Ed

 

[Eldirial]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dj_mocok /img/forum/go_quote.gif Return it right away. Worst thing to have is an unreliable camera. What happens if you went out to important occassion, took lots of pictures and your camera suddenly decide to crap on you? You'll lose all pictures, not worth it. I'd rather lose a bit more money (or save for better cam) than lose all my pictures forever.

I would agree here. Camera's can be VERY problematic, especially when you have one that is a problem child. If it's bad in the first place, I wouldn't keep it.

 

[2ndbest]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Edwood /img/forum/go_quote.gif Did you try updating the firmware, if there is one available? Ironically, you need to use the SD card to update the firmware. I have a Pentax *ist DS, and the latest firmware added SDHC support. It is one extremely reliable camera. It has never had any problem with any card I put in it. -Ed

I tried, but when I tried to load the firmware, my computer froze because my computer couldn't detect the SD card. I got really sick of the camera then and there, and I have returned it today.

I got a full refund, and I'm probably going to wait on my next paycheck, then buy either a Digital Rebel or D40. When I did have the money in my wallet, I walked by a Sennheiser HD600 and it looked so tempting..

Luckily I could contain myself.

 

[Mrvile]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2ndbest /img/forum/go_quote.gif I tried, but when I tried to load the firmware, my computer froze because my computer couldn't detect the SD card. I got really sick of the camera then and there, and I have returned it today. I got a full refund, and I'm probably going to wait on my next paycheck, then buy either a Digital Rebel or D40. When I did have the money in my wallet, I walked by a Sennheiser HD600 and it looked so tempting.. Luckily I could contain myself.

HD580 = HD600, get the HD580 instead and save a hundred bucks?