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General discussion

Canon SD500 LCD screen torture test.

May 29, 2005 11:33AM PDT

I hate to admit to this, but being a totally pleased Canon SD500 owner and reading tales of horror regarding "spontaneous LCD cracking", I stumbled on a proof positive way to challenge the supposedly fragile LCD screen. I was shopping at one of the mass marketeers for another item, and happened upon the camera dept. The type that chains down cameras, and offers little if any sales assistance. I'm again, not proud of this, but I looked through the viewfinder as if examining the SD500. I'm not a small guy at 6'1" and 225 lbs. I pressed on the very center of the LCD and to my total amazement, the LCD took every last ounce of pressure I could apply. This again, leads me to my contention that, although maybe you got a bad one, that most LCD cracks result from sitting on them in your back pocket, or having your keys, lighter, Rolaids, whatever, concentrate enormous pressure in one tiny spot; resulting in breakage. The concentrated pressure of something small like keys, for example, exerts a lot more pressure than my thumb which I would guess has a surface area of c. 1 sq.in. Canon may have a design flaw, but I just fail to accept that an LCD which held up to my test is just going to, for "some unknown reason", fail the poor buyer who has just parted with c. $500. Hope this alleviates some of my fellow photographer's concerns. I know it did mine. Before the fury of dissatisfied customer befalls me, I would just like to state that I am not neccesarily on Canon's side. I'm just telling anyone concerned what my test revealed. Any thoughts?

Discussion is locked

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Non neccessarily
Jun 23, 2005 2:23AM PDT

That the LCD survived the thumb test may actually indicate that there is a different force in play than just physical abuse. LCD may be strong enough (or flexible enough) to withstand sustained pressure but may crack if for example low temperature changes it physical state and makes it mor suspectible to cracking under pressure or spontaneously (as all cystals can do)

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Seems OK to me. How about 0 to 50 C?
Jun 23, 2005 2:51AM PDT
http://www.altadox.com/lcd/knowledge/lcd_temperature_ranges.htm notes the common 0 to 50 C range you see on consumer products. If you exceed such then that's your choice. Very few read or research this area.

Worth noting is an iPod that the battery died due to extreme cold. Try the baggage compartment of a puddle jumper (dozen passenger prop driven plane) in Ontario, Canada during winter. Yup, it's toast.

Bob


Bob
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0 - 50 c = 32 - 122 f
Jun 23, 2005 3:38AM PDT

Dear R. Proffitt,
Thanks for the extremely informative link. Living in Orlando, I feel even more relieved by the temperature range. Although it often feels like it's 150* down here, hopefully I can escape the dreaded LCD failure as long as it's not left in a sweltering glove box. If you are an SD500 owner, or even if your not, feel free to write me at rgpatterson@earthlink.net. BOB Happy

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Thanks for the suggestion
Jun 23, 2005 3:54AM PDT

Dear wskorko,
According to your insight, and r. proffitt's link, I think we may have perhaps solved the mystery. As much as I researched my purchase, I failed to notice, or remember, the temperature requirements of the screen. Too bad this information isn't widely known to former 35mm users like myself. I guess I'm lucky to live in Orlando, where it has only gotten to 28* once in my 9 years down here, and rarely exceeds 122*. Happy rgpatterson@earthlink.net. Feel free to write. Thanks again. BOB

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More doubts however
Jun 23, 2005 8:45AM PDT

Well, if everything was so simple... I used to have Powershot S45 and D60, Coolpixes and Olympuses and I used them in pretty freezing conditions as well as in tropics. Never had any problem with lcds. Only once a display went blank for an hour or so after beeing exposed todirect sun in summer for a long time. Never ever physical damage. Somehing does not seem right. Also, if it is so delicate to physical elements (force) why did not Canon put it behind some screen as it is even in the cheap A75/85/95 series or Powershot S series?! Some suggest thet they are too thin (as may be dictated by the size of cameras - this only happens on new flat SD series apparently). Anyway, time for someone to investigate it in details as the word spreads and shame that so nice cameras provide so much doubt.

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i dunno but my ixus 700/sd500 lcd broke...
Jun 24, 2005 1:26PM PDT

out of nothing.. after just a day, it suddenly broke..
and it didnt even undergo a grueling test of thumb torture..hehe

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If it walks like a duck......
Jun 24, 2005 2:19PM PDT

Hey Don,
This is reeeealy getting spooky. Drop me a line with the details. I must have the only functioning SD500 on the planet. What has Canon done, if anything? rgpatterson@earthlink.net.