DIY camera level

Sometimes it's hard to tell if the camera's level, even when it's on a tripod. This is my $1.60 solution to the problem.

It's possible to buy a hot-shoe level on eBay for eight or ten bucks (after shipping), but I always prefer to try the super-cheapskate options first.

(The extra-super-cheapskate option is to buy a torpedo level at the dollar store, remove one of the level tubes and use it as-is, and sell the torpedo level at the flea market.)

The camera for sale, continued

The body shows some signs of wear; the picture's white balance is wrong; I've had enough of this, I'm going to bed.

The B&BBQ picture (made from multiple photos stitched together) on the Crockett California group page on facebook was taken with this camera.

Dysfunctional Canon XT \ 350D for sale, $190

I have a Canon XT, with a factory refurbished lens, a new battery and a new charger (works with AC and in the car), a homemade AC adapter, two new memory batteries, a lens caps and a body cap.

I'm asking $190.00

Here's the catch:

This camera has the ERR99 problem: every so often the camera will display the message "err99" and not do anything else for a while, and then it works again, maybe hours or days later. When the camera's not working, if there's a battery or a power adapter in the camera then there's a buzz like a small geared motor running for some fraction of a second; the sound repeats about twice every second.

This could be due to a problem with the shutter or mirror mechanisms; it could also be a problem with the electronics. The problem could be that the camera was abused in it's childhood, and has a deep-seated fear of success. Or maybe it's just lazy, or it just doesn't like people much.

Two of the basic fixes for the problem that the Canon people recommend are to remove both batteries, turn the power switch to 'on,' and leave it like that for a few minutes; the other is to clean the lens contacts on the lens and on the body with a pencil eraser.

I've tried those, and I've replaced the memory battery, and it works for a while, and then the problem comes back. I decided that I didn't want to take the camera apart to see what's bothering it, so I'm selling it as-is instead.

You might be able to fix it, or you could send it to the Canon people to be fixed (and I think that your final cost for the camera will be around what you would pay for a refurbished camera.)

For information about the err99 problem:
http://www.google.com/search?q=canon+err99

And search eBay for the prices of "as-is" XTs. They're still expensive, so the camera body has value as it is. It could be parted out to get the most return on it, if it can't be fixed. If want to try and fix it, and you can't, then you should be able to sell everything and recoup your costs.