The Digital Camera Fan

Forget ZoomBrowser

Comments from readers of this blog fall into two categories: furor over the E18 problem (where the zoom lens on Canon cameras no longer work) and ZoomBrowser.

For reasons that escape me, people are frantic for ZoomBrowser, the software Canon includes for accessing and sorting photos from their cameras. I say, Forget ZoomBrowser!

Picassa works as well (or better) thanZoomBrowser. It even works with my several-years-old Canon S1is on my notebook computer running Vista -- the incompatible version of Windows.

Odd PhotoStitcher Update for Vista

PhotoStitcher is the software provided with some Canon cameras for stitching together multiple photographs. I recently got a new notebook computer running Vista (boooo!) and of course loaded on all the software I need to use, including PhotoSticher.

It ran just fine, but on a whim, I searched the Internet to see if there was an update. I found one at Canon Europe's site: PhotoStitcher Update v3.1.1.19 Compatible with Vista. There were no release notes explaining changes, other than a warning that stitched photos could not be saved in QuickTime format on Vista (another reason to "upgrade" back to XP).

I installed the update, found no changes, uninstalled it, and went back to using the version of PhotoStitch provided on the CD that came with my Canon S1is several years ago.

So, yah, there is an update but there doesn't seem to be any point to it.

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Canon S5is

There is a new version of our beloved S1is and I didn't know about it until I saw it at Best Buy last night.

The Canon S5is (they skipped the S4 number) is 8 megapixel and chunkier. The other two highlights are a much bigger foldout screen and a hotshoe. Looks like the S-series has replaced the G-series.

Canon: E50 Error

Many people suffer from Canon's E18 error (zoom lens cannot extend), but someone recently asked about the E50 error. From Simply Computing:

... there is an error formatting the memory card. The E50 error may appear as a result of camera failure, card failure, environmental problems, or misuse.

From reading a variety of forums, these are actions you might try:

- insert a different memory card to see if that makes a difference.

- in some cases, you may need to install a firmware update from Canon, because the camera is incompatible with the memory card.

- if that doesn't work, make sure you are formatting the card in the camera, and not with Windows or Mac OS.

- chrisbeery suggests: Open the CF door. Locate the small pinsized 'blue' switch at the topmost part of inside the CF door.
Get a flat object, such as a pen, and push this blue pin down (all the way it will go but be careful not to break it) whilst formatting the card.

- An issue with the size of the memory card and Windows XP described by Canon at CF Card Formatting Error Notice.

- Search Google with this term: "canon e50 error"

- if the problem still exists, the pins inside the camera (that connect to the memory card) may be bent or damaged. Considering the cost of repair by Canon (around $250), it may be worth your while to either (1) buy a new camera; or (2) open up the camera and attempt to straighten out the pins yourself.

Refurbished S1is

The refurbished Canon S1is arrived here today. I was wondering what I would get for my $320 (before shipping and taxes).

It arrived in a plain white box, with a "Refubished by Canon Canada" sticker on it. Inside was everything, except for a memory card -- the CDs, printed docs, AA batteries, wriststrap, cables were all included. A sticker noted that memory cards are not included with refurbished products. Since I have a half-dozen of 'em, that was fine. A separate paper indicated the camera carried a full one-year warrenty from Canon Canada.

As for the camera itself, it was flawless. I could not see any marks, or even smudges in the viewfinder. Neither did it smell. I wonder if it was simply a returned item.

So, I am pretty pleased at buying the refurbished model from Pro Digital of Stratford Ontario Canada. (By buying it from Ontario, I saved $24 in taxes.)

Commentary on the S3

Details are out on the Canon S3is, which is due to become available in North America in May. Apparently it is already available in Europe.

Reading over the specs, it seems that the third generation of our beloved S-series is simply a "get an update out of the door" model. Let's take a look at the specs (which you can read in detail at Digital Photography Review):

12x zoom, etc -- no changes there. I would like to see wider wide angle over longer zoom lens.

6.0 Megapixel -- up from 5.0. Not significant, except for increased noise, perhaps.

Larger size 2.0” Vari-angle LCD -- 0.2" larger than the S2. Bigger is better, but this is still small compared to the 2.5" screens that are normal today.

30fps VGA movies with stereo sound -- don't really need stereo sound, and I suspect the stereo separation won't be much to write home about. Even the S1 had 30fps VGA movies.

Photo in Movie feature -- could be useful. I find the photo feature useful on my video camera.

DIGIC II, iSAPS and Flexizone AF/AE -- lots of acronyms. Question is, do they take subjectively better photos. I suspect not.

2.3 fps continuous shooting performance -- didn't we already have that with the S1?

20 shooting modes -- I NEVER USE SHOOTING MODES!!! If you can't take photos in P or C mode, then why are you using this camera?

My Colors photo effects -- that's what PaintShop Pro is for.

High ISO Auto -- a fix for a bug in the S1 (and S2?), where it would tend to keep the ISO low, rather than going up to 200 when necessary.

ISO 800 -- I like that.

Widescreen (16:9) recording -- ho-hum. My 7-year-old Epson PC800 digital camera had that. You'd think it was just thrown in for lengthening the features list, but I find it useful for landscapes, when there would otherwise be too much sky and too much ground. Mountain ranges, for eg.

dedicated ISO button allows for easy switching between ISO sensitivities -- available on the S1 through the custom shortcut button.

dedicated movie button means users do not need to switch modes to start recording -- one of the great puzzlers of the S1. It also has this button, but it only works after you put the camera into movie mode. Another bug fix, I guess.

60fps QVGA clips for sharp slow motion -- QVGA and sharp do not mix. QVGA is quarter VGA, 320x240 resolution, which we had on the G1. The slow motion aspect is interesting, however.

manually adjust focus -- another bug fix. Movie mode cannot focus well automatically at 10x-12x, so here's the fix: get the human to do it.

2816 x 1584 recording pixels ... 16:9 format – perfect for ... printing wide (10 x 20cm) photos -- sorry, but it's not perfect. 10x20cm paper is 16:8 format, so there's going to be an annoying border on two sides.

new, dedicated Print menu -- who prints from their camera? This just means yet another menu for the already-crowded menu system

handy Print/Share button allows one-touch printing and easy uploads to Windows or Mac systems -- yet another button on the camera. Windows and Mac systems already automatically transfer photos; why the button?

The camera is compatible with MMC/SD cards -- and the reason I won't be buying it, due to the huge investment in CompactFlash cards. But I do like the color of the S3.

Broken S1is: The Repair Estimate

I received the repair estimate this week, more of an apology, actually. The zoom mechanism needed replacing, and the cost would be as follows (prices in Canadian dollars, subtract 15% for US$):

Parts $220.00
Labour $80.00
Shipping $15.00
Taxes $22.05

Total cost $337.05, which includes a 6-month warranty. Getting a refurbished S1is would be about the same price, but would come with a 1-year warranty.

What to do, what to do...

While I was waiting for the estimate, I considered my options. I was on a trip to San Francisco, and used my first digital camera, the 7-year-old Epson PC800. I quickly decided that a point'n shoot camera is out of the question. I need the long zoom lens and the swivel viewfinder!

Next temptation: Canon announced the S3is with a black body. Tempting, but the S2 and S3 both use SD memory cards, and I have quite an investment in CompactFlash cards, which the S1 uses.

Upon my return from the trip, the decision was made: buy the refurbished S1. I placed the order today, and I'll let you know how that turns out.

Broken S1is

The Canon S1is got dropped on the floor. Fell out of my coat pocket as I got up. Fell two feet onto a linoleum floor. Checking it immediately, I turned it on, but the zoom lens did not extend. After a few moments, the camera turned itself off.

At home, I tried a few remedies, like putting in different batteries in case the increased power might help; trying to force the zoom lens out; banging the side of the camera. But nothing worked. This damage would not be covered by the extended warranty (though my credit card), so I'll have to pay for the repair.

The first time I used Canon's out-of-warranty repair service, it cost CDN$150 to fix a non-operating zoom lens on my older G1. The second time, they quoted $250 but the camera could not be repaired (damaged by sea water), although they did offer to sell me a newer model at a discount. It'll be interesting to see what the fee is this time; used S1 models are $350 on ebay.

I contacted Canon Canada, who gave me the addresses of three repair places in Ontario. (The Calgary facility has been closed?) I mailed it off, and will report on what happens next.

E18 Web Site

The item that gets the most comments on this Weblog is about the E18 error generated by Canon digital cameras. The error means that the zoom lens is stuck and won't move -- and you can no longer take pcitures. The problem is typically caused by dust buildup or by damage.

Vladan Nikolic has created a Web site specific to the E18 error. It has links to other sites, including the class action law suit begun against Canon in the USA. Visit www.e18error.com.

Yesterday my camera fell out of my coat pocket two feet onto a linotile floor. The lens no longer comes out, and so the Canon S1iS no longer turns on its LCD screen (nor viewfinder). Clearly it is jammed, my fault. But I'll try some of the techniques listed at Mr Nikolic's site for unjamming the lens.

Canon Quality Below Average

Imaging Resource reports on a quality of digital camera study by J.D. Power and Associates. They interviewed 4,256 digital camera buyers in the first six months of 2005. Canon did not fare well. consistantly scoring below average for the price group.

$199 or less
#1 -- Kodak -- 831
(average score: 808)
#6 -- Canon -- 796

$200 - $399
#1 -- Kodak -- 869
(average score: 817)
#9 -- Canon -- 795

$400 - $599
#1 -- Sony -- 861
(average score: 836)
#5 -- Canon -- 796

$600 or more
#1 -- Sony -- 856
(average score: 833)
#3 -- Canon -- 824

You can read the complete set of rankings here.