WTF is up with my GF's Coach case for her camera? **Updated 7/23** Received the fixed camera today

[NFS4]

I bought this SD110 for her about two or three years ago for her birthday from Amazon. It also had the option of buying a leather Coach case at a discounted price with the camera. So I bought them both.

After a few months, the camera started changing colors which really puzzled me. And it's been progressing and progressing, but since I never really used it I didn't really take notice.

Today, I look at the camera and it looks like complete ASS from being within the case. How could this Coach case possibly do this to a camera?

She doesn't use it that often and it hasn't come in contact with water or anything like that and it hasn't been kept in a humid area.

case1.jpg
case2.jpg
case3.jpg
case4.jpg

**Updated**

Canon is going to replace the camera housing for free. They are sending me a return box.

Dear Brandon Hill:

Thank you for contacting Canon product support. We value you as a Canon
customer and appreciate the opportunity to assist you. I am sorry to
hear that your SD110 camera body is changing colors.

The processing of the special silver coating on the face of the
PowerShot SD110 Digital ELPH contributes to its unprecedented texture.
However, it has been discovered that in some extremely rare cases,
storing the camera in a leather case or similar accessory can cause a
chemical reaction with the silver plating that creates black spots on
the cameras exterior cover. Please rest assured that this reaction has
no effect on the functioning of the camera or the people who use it.

We offer our sincerest apologies for the considerable inconvenience this
represents for our customers.

We spare no effort in our quality management, to make sure our customers
can use our products with confidence. We hope our efforts will earn
your understanding.

For details on how to have your camera serviced, please see the
information below.

If black spots have appeared on your PowerShot SD110 Digital ELPH,
please call 1-800-828-4040. It is important to follow the prompts for
the Sales Group or Presales Group. Technical Support representatives
will transfer you to this department if you reach them.

*Business hours: Currently Monday-Friday 8 AM to 12 AM Midnight,
Saturday 10 AM to 8 PM ET, excluding holidays.

You can have the exterior cover replaced with one made of a different
plating material free of charge. However, because of the material used,
please understand that the color of the new cover will be somewhat
different.

We hope this information is helpful to you. Please let us know if we
can be of any further assistance with your SD110 camera.

Thank you for choosing Canon.

Sincerely,

Joann
Technical Support Representative

**Updated 7/23** Received the fixed camera today

Just got it back today. Looks brand new -- they even fixed the battery retention mechanism which broke when my GF dropped the camera at work last year

canon_new.jpg

 

[homercles337]

Whoa, NeedForSpeed4 bought a crappy knock off camera case?

 

[thehstrybean]

ugh! What the hell?

 

[eakers]

yuck!
I've never seen that before!

 

[montypythizzle]

NEw textured Canon line.

 

[potato28]

That can't be good for it! Have you tried cleaning it off?

 

[bucwylde23]

what does the inside of the case look like?

 

[Tiamat]

whoa, thats pretty bad! I've never seen that before!

 

[NFS4]

Originally posted by: homercles337
Whoa, NeedForSpeed4 bought a crappy knock off camera case?

I don't think it was. Just checked my Amazon order history:

Order Placed: March 9, 2005
Amazon.com order number: 103-0187204-XXXXXXXX
Order Total: $159.87

Items Ordered Price
1 of: Canon Coach Case for SD110, S410, SD500 Digital Elph Cameras [Electronics]
Sold by: Amazon.com, LLC
$29.99
- 1 item(s) Gift options: None

1 of: Canon PowerShot SD110 3MP Digital Elph with 2x Optical Zoom [Electronics]
Sold by: Amazon.com, LLC
$149.88

 

[NFS4]

Originally posted by: chrisg22
what does the inside of the case look like?

It looks normal. Just a normal thin fabric material. The inner flap is made of leather, however.

That can't be good for it! Have you tried cleaning it off?

It won't come off. It's etched into the metal. The plastic portions of the camera aren't affected.

 

[pray4mojo]

Can you clean it off?

 

[NFS4]

Originally posted by: pray4mojo
Can you clean it off?

Nope, nothing will get it off. It's almost as if something has eaten away at the top layer of the metal.

 

[iamwiz82]

I'd contact Coach. They are well known for their customer service. If your case checks out as the real deal perhaps they would be willing to help out?

 

[SagaLore]

I have found that when certain plastics and nylons come in contact with each, they have some kind of reaction that causes them to melt together or corrode. I think the lining of your case is reacting with the paint on the camera.

 

[d33pt]

i dont think the camera is painted. it should be bare aluminum.

 

[NFS4]

Originally posted by: d33pt
i dont think the camera is painted. it should be bare aluminum.

Yeah, it's bare metal

 

[TallBill]

To late to worry about it. Its a $150 camera, looks dont affect its performance

 

[vi edit]

Looks to me like some of the oils used in conditioning the leather ate away at the metal.

I paid $.99 a camera case for my SD800 that works just as well as that Coach does...and it hasn't tried devouring my camera yet.

 

[vi edit]

Originally posted by: SagaLore
I have found that when certain plastics and nylons come in contact with each, they have some kind of reaction that causes them to melt together or corrode. I think the lining of your case is reacting with the paint on the camera.

IE: Certain types of jelly worms and fishing lures sitting in tackle boxes. The oils on the lures will eat a hole right into the tackle box compartments.

 

[NFS4]

Originally posted by: vi_edit
Looks to me like some of the oils used in conditioning the leather ate away at the metal.

I paid $.99 a camera case for my SD800 that works just as well as that Coach does...and it hasn't tried devouring my camera yet.

But why would there be oils on the fabric? The fabric is touching the camera on five side. Leather touches the camera on just one side.

It's just really weird.

 

[DanTMWTMP]

the top layer is rubbed off. happens when there's too much moisture that rubs against it. someone has sweaty hands, or the case was left damp.

 

[vi edit]

Originally posted by: NFS4
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: vi_edit
Looks to me like some of the oils used in conditioning the leather ate away at the metal.

I paid $.99 a camera case for my SD800 that works just as well as that Coach does...and it hasn't tried devouring my camera yet.</end quote></div>

But why would there be oils on the fabric? The fabric is touching the camera on five side. Leather touches the camera on just one side.

It's just really weird.

Oil saturates. It's possible it soaked through the material from the outer layer.

 

[NFS4]

Originally posted by: DanTMWTMP
the top layer is rubbed off. happens when there's too much moisture that rubs against it. someone has sweaty hands, or the case was left damp.

No sweaty hands and the case has never been wet. Also, the case looks brand new on the inside. No wear, no residue, no discoloration.

Also, the discoloration on the camera is also in area that don't even come in contact with the case... like in crevices or in cracks.

 

[Linux23]

Originally posted by: vi_edit
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: NFS4
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: vi_edit
Looks to me like some of the oils used in conditioning the leather ate away at the metal.

I paid $.99 a camera case for my SD800 that works just as well as that Coach does...and it hasn't tried devouring my camera yet.</end quote></div>

But why would there be oils on the fabric? The fabric is touching the camera on five side. Leather touches the camera on just one side.

It's just really weird.</end quote></div>

Oil saturates. It's possible it soaked through the material from the outer layer.

I bet some form of heat was involved. Could it be the chemicals from the oils heating and evaporating inside of the case that caused the metal on the camera to oxidize?

 

[NFS4]

Originally posted by: Linux23
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: vi_edit
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: NFS4
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: vi_edit
Looks to me like some of the oils used in conditioning the leather ate away at the metal.

I paid $.99 a camera case for my SD800 that works just as well as that Coach does...and it hasn't tried devouring my camera yet.</end quote></div>

But why would there be oils on the fabric? The fabric is touching the camera on five side. Leather touches the camera on just one side.

It's just really weird.</end quote></div>

Oil saturates. It's possible it soaked through the material from the outer layer.</end quote></div>

I bet some form of heat was involved. Could it be the chemicals from the oils heating and evaporating inside of the case that caused the metal on the camera to oxidize?

Hmmm, now that seems more plausible to me.