Digital Camera Crisis
 

Our camera has been mailed off for repair and it will be a very close call to have it back in time for our trip to Thailand and Cambodia.

Before I sent it in, I was told 7-10 business days. Well, now that the 7-10 are up, I am being told another 7-10 if parts are not needed. We leave in 2 weeks!

So, now we are trying to decide what to do. Should we buy another digital in Bangkok? Should we try to find our old 35mm?

I am so distracted with the planning of everything else, I can't think. What would you do?

Breathe deeply, wait and see if your camera arrives in time. If it appears that it will not arrive in time, consider whether to buy a new camera at home or in Thailand. If you live in the US, you'll find better prices here than in Thailand. If you live in Europe, the prices in Thailand will likely be better (it's a VAT issue).

You've always wanted a new camera, right? Here's your chance!

;)

Just kidding. What camara is it? Is it really going to hurt your budget if you buy a new one now?

Why not borrow one from a friend, using your own sorage cards in it?

I bought a new Canon in Phuket, when my old Canon pooped out on me. I love my IXUS, but it has the Asia style plug so I have to put an adaptor on it when I charge it at home. No biggie...

I recently checked out the prices of Canon digital SLRs in Bangkok and found them to be about the same price as Tax Free at London airport. I am guessing that with the $ weakness that you will be better off buying in the US. I am about to visit Boston in August and have deferred replacing my laptop until then as I will pay the same price in dollars as I would in pounds i.e. half price!

Buy a new one and upgrade..or take the 35mm .. you can have the shots digitalized when you return home. It costs peanuts.

Just a thought - re viewfinders, on digital cameras. I bought a new Fuji FinePix 600 for about $200 in Khai San, Bangkok, after losing mine (most annoying). They are miles cheaper at home in Australia however, and we even replaced this new one for about $170 in Cologne, Germany, with the model the same as the lost one (500) because ... new cameras no longer have view finders, and it is difficult to see what you take in sunny situations.. I much prefer the older models with viewfinders.

Take along more than one camera which is what I do. Once, on Bali, I was having major trouble with my Pentax ME 35mm camera ...the humidity was very high and the lenses kept totally fogging up and the camera shutter button would stick for some reason which I hadn't had a problem with before. So, I locked it in my room safe and took out my Pentax instamatic, which I had no problem with. I was away for three weeks and camera one was having problems in the first week. So, before you leave home, pack another camera. Happy Travels!

Thanks for all of the great advice.

I just received an email that our camera has shipped, so we will get it back in time. Yeah!

I will definitely bring our old 35mm along just in case or get a waterproof disposable camera for fun.

Yes, still take an extra camera in case the repair is not 100% right. Have a great time! Happy Travels!