Question: repair vs buying new

[ChristyMarie]

Ok, something is wrong with my camera. I do not yet know if is is the lens or the body but all signs point to the body. The problem (we think the shutter timing is off) is usually not cheap to fix but I'm getting a free quote next week. I want to go in with a set price in my mind of what I'm willing to spend to fix it. Like, under X dollars I fix, over X dollars I buy new. Some points to consider:

1. A brand new camera (lens and body) of my current model (canon rebel 35mm) is $200. New lens only is $120.

2. My camera is 5 years old.

3. A brand new digital body (if my lens is ok - would buy the canon digital rebel, 8 megapixal version) is $280.

4. I've been lusting after said digital body for a few years now and the price just majorly dropped because they are introducing a new version in March.

Under these circumstances, what would you be willing to pay to fix:

1. The camera body

2. The camera lens

ETA: my current camera is a FILM camera - so there is the added expense of film/developing/prints

[blazedog]

I wouldn't pay a significant amount to repair a 5 year old camera -- That is centuries in terms of the advances in these cameras as the prices for improvement technology has come down significantly.

The same money would buy a much better camera.

So my answer would be almost nothing because for almost the cost of a repair I would be getting a better piece of equipment -- maybe $50 or under.

Edited to say I would invest NOTHING to fix a film camera unless it was a high end SLR and one had lenses and other photographic equipment for the body -- I have 2 Nikon 33 mm cameras which I haven't used in years.

[Grace]

I would also find out how long said repair would be warranteed. They typically give a 30 day warranty on repair work. Most camera salespeople I've talked to (recently) told me digital cameras aren't really designed to last beyond 5 years anyway. So your newly repaired camera could potentially have other problems soon requiring more money invested to fix.

If I had a good excuse to buy a new Rebel, I wouldn't be needing any more affirmations to make that decision! :p :D I'd be able to rationalize that one REAL easy! :D

[Peweh]

I wouldn't invest anything in repair unless you are particularly attached to the 'film' aspect and assuming you are computer savvy. Even if you don't have a photo printer you can upload pics to many print service websites for reasonable fees and you can choose to print only those you want to keep.

On the other hand, there's my mom who inherited SIL's old digital and her memory stick is always full. It's so annoying!! She can't be bothered to plug it in to the PC and upload the photos so she just complains it's full and takes no new pictures...

I have a feeling what you'll decide... enjoy your new toy!!

[Gumbeaux]

Ditch the film camera. There is no reason to have one anymore. Film and processing is expensive and time consuming.

Digital photography allows you to edit your pictures and then email them to your friends all over the world and post them on internet forums like this one. ;)

[ChristyMarie]

Thank you all for feeding my lust.:p

If it is reasonable I still think I'll get it fixed so I can still to lots of B&W prints.

Ooooohhh, I may be getting a fabulous new toy! :D

[Gumbeaux]

If it is reasonable I still think I'll get it fixed so I can still to lots of B&W prints.


You can easily convert pictures taken with a digital camera into B&W.

[Grace]

Yes, I do that all the time with my digital and it works great. Some digitals even have a B&W setting so you don't have to convert later.