OK - so my 20D - my main camera for the last 2 years (50 weddings-ish, tons of portraits, etc.) freaked out a couple weeks ago and I sent it off for repair. The estimate to fix it is $260. (Not sure what is wrong with it...it was firing continuously, even with the camera turned off.)

I bought a 5D in the meantime, so I could carry on with the weddings/portraits I have scheduled and I am in love with it.

So the 20D (if fixed) will become the main camera for the second shooter (when it's not another "pro") and/or my main backup.

Have any of you used repaired equipment with much success? I don't know if it is worth getting this fixed, or if I should just bite the bullet and buy a new 20D or 30D.

What do you think?

i've heard good things about like shutter replacements from canon and whatnot! that seems like a great deal for probably a good 100,000 more clicks :-)

It's cheaper than buying a new camera

I have to agree that it's alot cheaper than buying a new camera. But if you really don't want to pay for repairs and just want to get a new one I might be interested in the body.

The continuous fire is usually indicative of a faulty shutter. $260 ain't bad for a brand new shutter assembly, makes the camera good as new.

Even if you decide to buy a new camera, you should still fix the old one and then sell it on eBay or here, you'll make money from the sale.

well if you dont want to put the 260 in to it then call me I might buy it off of you. then use it for a back up
sf

Well, Alison, the number of men who want your body should tell you something

It's very much worth it to get it repaired. With a new shutter (assuming that's the issue) it'll should be quite a workhorse for a good while.

hey, same thing just happened to me - and it wasn't the shutter. It was the DC power board or something. Took 3 weeks to fix.

I'll be selling it soon FYI - (moved to Nikon)

Allyson, I did the same thing last year. I don't like having things around that don't work, and I'm so glad I fixed it! It stays around the house with an old 24-105 lens on it and an old 256 card and my family uses it all the time. Great little point and shoot!

LOL

It's a fine idea to fix it, as long as they stick with their price! Matt had the exact thing with his 20D and they gave him the same estimate. After he accepted the estimate, they turned around and upped it to over 600 dollars! I dont know why they did it, but it really irked him and now we have a "new" 20D and a 1DMII. LOL

Is there any way that you can ask what they would be repairing? If it is the shutter then I would say go for it and keep riding the 20D horse at least for a backup to your 5D.

Sounds like from Sarah's post that you might tell them that you will agree to the $260, but if it is going to cost over $300 that you are not interested. Did they actually charge you the $600 for the repairs or did they just up their estimate?

I think that's a common problem, mine did that back in the fall, then my husbands 20D did it last week. It must be something every 20D owner
should expect.

Had mine repaired and it works fine now.