Used passing as new

[Papa_Complex]

I just bought a new DSLR body and, wouldn't you know it, but someone else had had it before me. The camera had fingerprints all over the rear screen and, when I checked the camera's "hidden menus", I found that the shutter button had been hit more than 1600 times and the camera had been turned on more than 250 times.

The shop is bringing in a replacement for me, and had apologized profusely for the 'error.' I'm off work next week though, so I'll have to take a special trip in to pick up the replacement.

So who wants to vent about getting a used product, when you bought something new?

[Particle Man]

I must say I think that's one thing I haven't experienced :eek:

[G-Rex]

That sucks. I'm guessing 1 person in 50 even knows that you can check those things. I guess they thought you'd be one of the 49 that had no clue.

Although, they should have at least cleaned off the fingerprints if they were going to do something so blatantly stupid.

[Papa_Complex]

That sucks. I'm guessing 1 person in 50 even knows that you can check those things. I guess they thought you'd be one of the 49 that had no clue.

Although, they should have at least cleaned off the fingerprints if they were going to do something so blatantly stupid.

Since demand for this camera (Olympus E-5) is heavier than expected, I suspect that this body was called back from one of their other stores. They probably played with it for a while, at that store. It's not the Canadian press demo unit, as a friend informed me that body would have a hell of a higher shutter count than 16K, based just on the short time that he reviewed it.

[derf]

I've bough stuff that was refurbished that the store didnt know was refurbished, because it was done at the factory. At least it sounds like the store is taking care of you so really thats cool, sounds more like its an inconvienience than anything else.

But yeh it does bug me when shit like that happens, it has only happened twice, both times at best buy, once with a digital picture frame that came pre loaded with some dudes pictures, and once with a computer game that came with save data already written on the disk (3.5" floppy disk, it was a few years ago). Plus who knows how many other times I have bought stuff and just didnt know about it yet

[azoomm]

Or, someone bought it, played with it, then his wife found out he spent all HER shopping budget and freaked out. He then bundles it back up and tricks the store into thinking he never opened it.

That happened to me with a lawnmower once, some assembly required... completely sealed box. Opened it and there was grass in the deck. I took it back, they gave me an assembled one.

[CasterTroy]

That happened to me with a lawnmower once, some assembly required... completely sealed box. Opened it and there was grass in the deck. I took it back, they gave me an assembled one.

Sorry about that, but my yard guy was on vacation and I was having a party.

Wife left deoterant stains on the Versace dress we used for that party too.....and they FOUND those :td: so we're stuck with THAT dress, so I taped the mower up REAL good. The $8hr returns desk girl didn't care enough to look hard enough to see the grass after I tore it back down and repacked it.

[Papa_Complex]

Also a possibility, azoomm. Some people are real dicks and 'evaluate' a new toy, for a couple of weeks, before deciding that they really didn't want it anyway. Or just wanted a toy for a couple of weeks, knowing that they'd be bringing it back. For a brand new model though, 1600 shots is a bit steep. I'd put that on a body, over the course of a weekend at the track, but damned few regular users would.

[Mr Lefty]

Also a possibility, azoomm. Some people are real dicks and 'evaluate' a new toy, for a couple of weeks, before deciding that they really didn't want it anyway. Or just wanted a toy for a couple of weeks, knowing that they'd be bringing it back. For a brand new model though, 1600 shots is a bit steep. I'd put that on a body, over the course of a weekend at the track, but damned few regular users would.

sounds to me like someone bought it for occasion then returned it.

[Papa_Complex]

sounds to me like someone bought it for occasion then returned it.

I would agree, if it weren't for those 250+ times that it was turned on and off.

[Particle Man]

I would agree, if it weren't for those 250+ times that it was turned on and off.

Minor detail :lol:

[Tmall]

Sounds like a display model..

[Papa_Complex]

That's what I figure.

This is the first issue that I've had with this particular distributor, ever, so I'm giving them the benefit of the doubt.

[azoomm]

I would agree, if it weren't for those 250+ times that it was turned on and off.

Might have been like this woman that came out to the track - everytime she put the lens down [not pointed forward ready to shoot] she flicked it off with her thumb. I only noticed because she made a comment about waiting for her camera to be *ready* so often. I asked her why she even turned it off, she had been told it's "bad for it" to be on too long. :skep:

[Papa_Complex]

Might have been like this woman that came out to the track - everytime she put the lens down [not pointed forward ready to shoot] she flicked it off with her thumb. I only noticed because she made a comment about waiting for her camera to be *ready* so often. I asked her why she even turned it off, she had been told it's "bad for it" to be on too long. :skep:

That frequently takes more power than just leaving the thing on, then letting it go to 'sleep' after a few minutes. If you actually power it off then the lens typically goes to the home position, along with a bunch of other possible start-up functions. I typically set my cameras to go into sleep mode after 5 minutes. To get them out of sleep usually takes less than a half a second.

Then again, what the hell sort of camera did she have, that she had to wait for it to be 'ready'? Even with the Olympus dust-buster running at every power-up, my camera is ready before I can get it up to my eye.

The only reason why it might be bad to leave it on would be if it was constantly powering the sensor, which could result in overheat. This is typically only a problem if the camera is left in live view (rear screen as a framing aid), for an extended period of time.

[azoomm]

Then again, what the hell sort of camera did she have, that she had to wait for it to be 'ready'? Even with the Olympus dust-buster running at every power-up, my camera is ready before I can get it up to my eye.

Canon fancy schmancy something... :lol: Frankly I was more interested in keeping her in the paddock and away from the track surface when I overheard her. She was one of "those" people that thought spending a lot of money on something suddenly made her a professional, you know "Anyone can take pictures" kind of attitude. That's about as true as buying a sportbike makes me a go-fast racer.

I know, I sound like Judger McJudgerson now :lol

[Papa_Complex]

Canon fancy schmancy something... :lol: Frankly I was more interested in keeping her in the paddock and away from the track surface when I overheard her. She was one of "those" people that thought spending a lot of money on something suddenly made her a professional, you know "Anyone can take pictures" kind of attitude. That's about as true as buying a sportbike makes me a go-fast racer.

I know, I sound like Judger McJudgerson now :lol

I know what you mean though. Even practised photographers sometimes think that they know the ropes, without being shown them. The head ref asked me to take an acquaintance of mine out and show him the ins and outs of track shooting. Up until then he'd done a track day, or two, portrait shots, and bike glamour shots. I nearly shit myself when he walked up to within 5 feet of the apex in a decreasing left. I got his ass back, before the marshal could even open his mouth.

If she had something like a Canon 40D/50D, 5D MkII, or 7D, then the funny thing is that her camera starts up faster than mine. I never have to wait :lol:

[Homeslice]

Also a possibility, azoomm. Some people are real dicks and 'evaluate' a new toy, for a couple of weeks, before deciding that they really didn't want it anyway. Or just wanted a toy for a couple of weeks, knowing that they'd be bringing it back.

To be honest, that seems to be the average person's ethical standard, from the people I've met.

I'm also convinced that a lot of Ebay vendors go around purchasing returned merchandise from big store chains, and put it on Ebay as "new".

[Papa_Complex]

To be honest, that seems to be the average person's ethical standard, from the people I've met.

I'm also convinced that a lot of Ebay vendors go around purchasing returned merchandise from big store chains, and put it on Ebay as "new".

Colour me unimpressed with the "average person."

[azoomm]

Colour me unimpressed with the "average person."

I think that's why many of us get along on this board... the love for the herd. :lol:

[Rangerscott]

Shit. I would have said refund me half and kept it. Then turned around and sold it. Tigga please!


People will buy new stuff from Newegg and they'll get refurb/returned stuff. I lol'd my ass off when kid posted his "new" motherboard that had jam on it. HAHAHA

[goof2]

If she had something like a Canon 40D/50D, 5D MkII, or 7D, then the funny thing is that her camera starts up faster than mine. I never have to wait :lol:

My XSi takes a few seconds to shut down due to the sensor cleaning system but startup is effectively instant.

Congrats on the new camera too (once you get another one). The E-5 looks pretty nice.

[Papa_Complex]

My XSi takes a few seconds to shut down due to the sensor cleaning system but startup is effectively instant.

Congrats on the new camera too (once you get another one). The E-5 looks pretty nice.

Thanks. I hemmed and hawed about it for a while, but finally went ahead and bought it. It may not be a huge leap over my E-3 but it has better low light performance, and a weaker AA filter. It's also the same resolution as my E-30, so they'll make a good pair. My E-3 will be going to my brother, so that he can get some shots of his new daughter :)

[Papa_Complex]

The new camera is in. Shutter count reads as 174 and the number of power-ups is 16; much more reasonable for basic manufacturer's testing.

I generally deal with the corporate sales rep, at the camera shop, and he was very apologetic about the situation. Apologetic enough that I've got a 9-18mm F4.0-5.6 wide angle lens, that I've been considering, coming to me at their cost. It's not an an expensive lens but then again I rarely have need for a WA lens anyway, so I couldn't justify something like the Zuiko 11-22mm F2.8-3.5 or the (GASP!) 7-14mm F4.0. I've used the 9-18 and it's a good lens, giving a 100 degree field of view, so it's perfect for things like architectural/home photography.

[Particle Man]

Good deal

[Adeptus_Minor]

So who wants to vent about getting a used product, when you bought something new?

I've had a couple of girlfriends like that.
Shiny new wrapping, same old shit inside.
:lol:

Ok ok, fine. I'm just jealous that you have a nice camera and I'm still taking pics with a crappy cell phone camera. There, I said it. :nee:

[Papa_Complex]

I know what you mean; broken, wrapped up in Chanel. Been there.

I hate cell phone cameras. I refuse to get a cell with one, which makes it harder and harder to replace a phone.

[racedoll]

Congrats on the new camera and that you had no issues getting it replaced.

[Papa_Complex]

Thanks. Now I just need to find something to shoot, until the racing season starts. If a deal I've been working on to shoot a machinist's product comes through I'll stand to make more than I do with the trackside stuff, more reliably, with less work on my part.

[Adeptus_Minor]

I hate cell phone cameras. I refuse to get a cell with one, which makes it harder and harder to replace a phone.

Tell me about it, man.
I was lamenting with Archren the other day about how far I've fallen from the days when I was taking great pics with my inherited Canon FTb
and doing my own darkroom work (well, with B&W at school at least).
I just can't make myself throw down what they want for a decent DSLR these days. :(
They're getting more affordable, but it's still a matter of too many wants and a good camera isn't the highest on the list. :idk:

[Apoc]

PC, why not just replace your phone (if you want a new one), and ignore the camera part of it? There are plenty of other reasons to buy phones than cameras.

[Papa_Complex]

Tell me about it, man.
I was lamenting with Archren the other day about how far I've fallen from the days when I was taking great pics with my inherited Canon FTb
and doing my own darkroom work (well, with B&W at school at least).
I just can't make myself throw down what they want for a decent DSLR these days. :(
They're getting more affordable, but it's still a matter of too many wants and a good camera isn't the highest on the list. :idk:

Even an entry level DSLR gives you better potential than a pocket camera, or a camera phone. These days you also have the option of mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras from Olympus, Panasonic, Sony, and Samsung that give you DSLR quality shots, in a more portable package, for the price of a good pocket camera.

PC, why not just replace your phone (if you want a new one), and ignore the camera part of it? There are plenty of other reasons to buy phones than cameras.

Because I'm a stubborn old fuck and it's my way of thumbing my nose at the "one size fits all" mentality.

[Adeptus_Minor]

Even an entry level DSLR gives you better potential than a pocket camera, or a camera phone. These days you also have the option of mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras from Olympus, Panasonic, Sony, and Samsung that give you DSLR quality shots, in a more portable package, for the price of a good pocket camera.


Yeah, that's a good point. I just wasn't sure how much functionality I'd sacrifice going with one of those vs. full-on DSLR.
But, then again, it might be a good thing to help me get back in practice.
I imagine my fundamentals need some serious work after all these years away from it.
(yeah yeah... 'that's what she said' :rolleyes::lol:)

[Papa_Complex]

Yeah, that's a good point. I just wasn't sure how much functionality I'd sacrifice going with one of those vs. full-on DSLR.
But, then again, it might be a good thing to help me get back in practice.
I imagine my fundamentals need some serious work after all these years away from it.
(yeah yeah... 'that's what she said' :rolleyes::lol:)

Just choose your SYSTEM based on where you ultimately might like to go with it, then buy an entry level body from that manufacturer. Make sure that you buy reasonable quality glass because that's what you're going to keep, if you upgrade bodies. I went with Olympus because their entry level glass was as good as anyone else's mid-grade stuff. They also had a better feature set for the money, than most of the others.

I would recommend Canon or Nikon though, if you want access to aftermarket and used equipment.