So, some of you know that I made the switch from Nikon back to Canon well I got my 5D last week and I was so excited. I charged the batteries, installed the grip and went through the menu setting everything up the way I like it.

I get to the wedding on Saturday, throw a lens on it and I see a BUNCH of black specs in the view finder. So I take off the lens, wipe the lens down with the appropriate cloth because it must be the lens, right? So I thought.

I put the lens back on and the specs are still there. I take my small blower out of my bag and blow across the mirror and focusing plate...nothing...specs still there. Well I had to shoot the wedding and the specs weren't showing up in the LCD.

I get home and I was right, no specs on the images. I do however, go to f22 at home and shoot a white piece of paper and I can see some small specs. I called BH Photo today and told them what happend. I can't believe it but I was told to box up the camera, ship it back with their shipping label they emailed me and once it ships, call them and they will confirm that it shipped and they will ship me another new unit next day air at no charge.

I was very happy with my images from the 5D and I am even more happier with the customer service from BH!!!

Yikes!! Glad to hear everything went okay for your wedding images... that's scary. And kudos to B&H for helping you like that. Customer service means sooooo much.

Although they are incredibly short-tempered (we're using nice words on this forum) in person, B&H has an amazing selection and they run that store like a well oiled machine. Sorry you had the problem though

I was expecting BH to tell me to send it to Canon for a cleaning but they didn't. Hopefully I will hear from BH shortly with a tracking number for my new 5D.

B&H is the BOMB!
they have always gone above and beyond for me.

and as a NAPP member i get free shipping

Mike,
That's a bummer, but a relief that it will be replaced quickly. However, please tell us that you tested the camera before busting it out on the wedding day???!!!

Love B&H online.
LOVE B&H in person even more. The store is AWESOME!

5D has a problem with dust getting into viewfinder. It is not on sensor, it is just on viewfinder. I have 2 of them and they both have dust there collected over time. Just ignore it. 5D has amazing sensor. Enjoy it!

I have learned my lesson on camera testing. I just figured because the menu was working and the shutter would snap that it was fine...ouch. Next time I will be thoroughly looking at new stuff. I always check my equipment the morning I load up for a wedding...from lenses focusing to cleaning cards and wiping everything down. but I messed up...lesson learned.

I know about 5D's problem with dust but on a new one...not acceptable. I expect a little dust over time. I will just change lenses less with my new 5D to prevent as much as possible.

Mike


FYI...BH just called me and said, did you ship it yet and I said yes. Then the guy says, oh well we are out of stock on the 5D now! I had a fit but thankfully he "found" one and is shipping it next day air! OMG I was going nuts! I have a wedding this weekend that I am shooting second at.

I had it on a brand new. You may get a clean one but you will get it in a day. Just ignore it!

Well I know a girl that has a 5D and has had it with almost no dust...maybe she is lucky! lol

Hopefully my next one is clean.

So I am a little concerned. I got a call saying they were going to ship today for Friday delivery 2nd day air. Well I just checked and their website says that it is still processing and the shipping method is 2nd day air so if it ships tomorrow, it will not be here til Monday!

I need to call them first thing in the morning. The guy I talked to said that if they were unable to get it out today, it would go tomorrow by next day air but I have a feeling he will forget.

This is why you can never have enough backups. Is there a possibility of renting a 5D for you for the weekend? I honestly would not just go with your 30D backup as your only camera...even if you are second shooting. This is still in my mind a requirement if I were second shooting to bring a backup.

Hey Mike,

Sorry you had trouble with B&H. All of our 5D bodies are out now but give me a ring and I may be able to help you out with something.

Paul
978-263-7277

Thanks Paul.

I just called BH and they changed it to Next Day Air and released the order. I will check back in and let you all know what happens.

I have a 10D that I can bring as a backup to my 30D but the meter is shot in it but I can still use it if need be.

I agree, I believe it is just dust on the focusing screen which can be cleaned but I never do as it doesn't effect the images. I understand your wanting your new camera to be clean out of the box though.

Seems to me this isn't the first time I've heard about dust related to Canon equipment.
Sorry for your situation.

PS...Nikon rules

Sure, Nikon rules if you like reduced detail due to blur applied to an image to reduce noise.

In agreement here as well. It didn't affect the quality of your actual images, so I would have just dealt with the dust on the focusing screen and been done with it. As opposed to going through all the hassle and headache and potential for not having your camera back in time for a wedding this weekend.

My $0.02.

Unfortunately (but fortunately), I have a wedding every weekend for as long as I can see so I thought now would have been as good as any time considering it was in BH's 10-day return policy.

Hey Mike,

No offense intended my friend. I don't want to get a Nikon vs Canon thing going here.

I'm just having a hard time understanding how and for that matter why so many of the people/photographers who have responded to your post have an attitude of a well it's just the way it is "just ignore it".

You paid a lot of $$ for a new camera, it shouldn't have dust in the view finder and it shouldn't be "acceptable".

Your not the first I've heard the comment regarding dust and Canon in the same sentence.
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Nikon rules if you like reduced detail due to blur applied to an image to reduce noise.


All I have to say to that is D3
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Goodluck,

No offense taken!

I find it a little unacceptable too but the camera does have 3 yr old technology so I do expect some differences from my old 40D and my D300. I mean, the D300's screen kills the Canon's LCD but that will change. I do plan to upgrade to the the 5DII or 7D (whichever its called) once it comes out. It should have better weather protection, which I believe will help control the dust issue.

The 5D is an amazing camera and I definitely got much better photos straight out of the camera than I did with Nikon. I heard a lot of people say that the skin tones are truer on Nikons but I actually find the Canon to be more accurate...plus shooting at 1600, AMAZING!

Like I stated before, I shot with Nikon for 4 months using the D300 and the D200 as a backup. The problem I had with Nikon was something that affected the image, unlike the dust issue on the 5D only effects the view through the lens. The D300 has NR (noise reduction) that is applied even to RAW files. The NR can be turned off but I find that when turned off the D300 is only about a half stop better than the D200.

I don't want this to turn into a war, Nikon and Canon both make fantastic cameras and each have their advantages but for me, Canon works.

...and I raise you with a 5DII (7D) at $1500 less!

(unfortunately the 5DII (7D) is still just a rumor but someday Canon will answer back; they have to, right?) lol

Alright, new 5D should be here within the next two hours!!!

Im back...had to go get some Cuban food for lunch. Received my CLEAN 5D from B&H!