<![CDATA[Camerarepairs.co.nz - The Home of CW Services Ltd - Cameradoctors' Blog]]>Thu, 01 Mar 2012 13:24:53 +1300Weebly<![CDATA[Canon EFS 17-85is USM Error 99/01 or Poor Auto Focus]]>Tue, 21 Feb 2012 09:37:42 +1300http://www.camerarepairs.co.nz/1/post/2012/02/canon-efs-17-85is-usm-error-9901-or-poor-auto-focus.htmlToday I am going to talk about a very common repair. The Canon EFS 17-85is lens was the 'premium' kit lens for a good while, so there are plenty of them out there.

These are an excellent lens, and really only have one fault, that is the flexible circuit that controls the powered diaphragm breaks after a few years of constant folding during the zooming action.

If your EOS is showing Error 99 intermittantly with this lens fitted, or later EOS bodies are showing Error 01, or if the camera refuses to focus, or the focus is 'jumpy' chances are the flex is damaged.

You can test by setting the camera to 'AV' and selecting say f22, and press the DOF preview button, while trying all zoom ranges, look into the front of the lens, see if you can see the diaphragm closing and opening smoothly.
 
Luckily this can be replaced, simply send the lens to me - fill in the form on my site, and I can replace the flex to get you up and running again.

Oh, and BTW, this same thing happens to other lenses, such as the EF 24-105 f2.8L, I can help there too :)
]]><![CDATA[Canons answer to Mirrorless Interchangable Lens Cameras]]>Tue, 10 Jan 2012 10:19:27 +1300http://www.camerarepairs.co.nz/1/post/2012/01/canons-answer-to-mirrorless-interchangable-lens-cameras.htmlWell, nobody saw this coming ....  well all the internet chatter suggested Canon would bring out a APS sensor sized mirrorless camera in the vein of the Sony NEX and Panasonic GH1 etc, but this is what they have come up with :

http://www.dpreview.com/previews/canong1x/

It uses a 'nearly' APS sized sensor, and a fixed 4x lens. To quote DPReview :

"Anyone watching the emergence of mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras will have spent much of the last year patiently waiting for Canon and Nikon to show their hands. Nikon clearly decided such cameras didn't need large sensors, and now it appears Canon has concluded they don't need interchangeable lenses"

Personally I have a Canon DSLR outfit and the Sony NEX5n, and I can see where Canon are coming from - I tend to use the 18-55 lens the most, so maybe they are on to something?

The market will decide I guess :)
]]><![CDATA[2012]]>Thu, 05 Jan 2012 10:18:22 +1300http://www.camerarepairs.co.nz/1/post/2012/01/2012.htmlHappy new Year to all my clients, past and future.

We are back after a short Christmas break, ready to repair your equipment after any holiday accidents :)

I hope you are all still sticking to your New Years' Resolutions :)

Email us at repairs@camerarepairs.co.nz if we can help you at all with your repairs / servicing needs.

Regards

Camera Doctor.
]]><![CDATA[Canon DSLR Service Software]]>Thu, 15 Dec 2011 10:22:13 +1300http://www.camerarepairs.co.nz/1/post/2011/12/canon-dslr-service-software.htmlTo enable us to accurately service and repair the Canon range of DSLR cameras, we have a suite of service software that allows us to plug your camera into our computer and read the internal erors codes and useage meters.
The error code that is shonw to you as the user is often very vague - the 'Error 99' is the one that springs to mind, but with our software, we are able to access the data in the camera, which, depending on the model, tells us exactly what the actual fault was, what the shutter count was at time of fault, and even what lens was fitted !
 Another useful feature is that we can read the Shutter / Mirror and Total counts, which is useful if you are buying or selling a camera.
 Of course, one of the most useful features of this software is the calibration, which allows us to check and adjust if necessary the parameters of your camera, especially after major service or parts replacement.
 If you have a Canon DSLR that is giving you problems, please contact us using the email link on our pages, or by filling out the repair form and sending the camera to us.
]]><![CDATA[New Look Website]]>Mon, 21 Nov 2011 13:09:07 +1300http://www.camerarepairs.co.nz/1/post/2011/11/new-look-website.htmlWell, after a lot of work, our website is now totally overhauled! 
I hope you like the new look - constructive comments are welcome :)

More work to be done, but fairly happy with the new look so far.

I am especially happy with the fact this site is now much easier to maintain, so it will allow me to keep it fresh and up to date, and make changes more readily and promptly.

Till next time,

Cameradoctor :)
]]><![CDATA[Firmware Updates]]>Sun, 20 Nov 2011 10:53:03 +1300http://www.camerarepairs.co.nz/1/post/2011/11/firmware-updates.htmlToday I am going to discuss Firmware Updates.   Firmware is basically the operating system of your camera – think of it as the ‘ Windows’ of your camera !!

Just like Windows, updates are sometimes needed to correct bugs / faults, or to add new features or allow the camera to talk to new accessories.

This is one good reason why you should register your new camera when you purchase it, as any good manufacturer will email registered owners to advise of firmware updates.

It may sound scary – but it is not !  Most Firmware can be loaded into the camera by simply downloading the latest version  to your computer, and dropping a file into the root directory of a Memory Card that has been formatted in the camera, and then going into the cameras Setup Menu and selecting the Firmware Version Tab.

A recent important Firmware upgrade we have become aware of in our repair shop, is for the Canon EOS Rebel XS / Eos 1000D.  See details on Canon’s website – http://web.canon.jp/imaging/eosd/firm-e/eosdigital5/firmware.html

This firmware update is very important !  As one of the faults it fixes is a blank LCD, the fix  ( that is the new firmware ) cannot be applied by the camera owner AFTER the fault occurs, as once the LCD goes blank, you cannot see the menus to apply the changes!!  The camera must then be returned to Canon for factory upgrade of the firmware !!

This demonstrates how important these updates can be – remember to check your manufacturers website often.

Till next time,

Cameradoctor

]]><![CDATA[Introduction]]>Sun, 20 Nov 2011 10:49:34 +1300http://www.camerarepairs.co.nz/1/post/2011/11/post-title-click-and-type-to-edit.htmlWelcome to my Blog.  I am owner and technician of  C.W. Services Ltd,  Photographic and Apple iPod / iPhone repairs and servicing.

With this blog, I hope to convey interesting and important updates in the world of repairs and photography!

Please call back often, and feel free to leave me some comments!

Till later,

Cameradoctor

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