Waaaaaahhh!!

[Lionheart]

I sent in my beloved 70-200 f2.8L IS lens for repair to Canon Service. It's probably going to be 1-2 months before I get it back, and yes, it's out of warranty (got it in Dec '02) according to the Canon rep on the phone. Seems like an awful long time to fix a faulty IS unit, but since there are no authorized Canon repair services locally, I'm stuck. I feel like I've just sent my child to a 2 month summer camp, and now I'm dying to get him/her back. Sigh.....

[paulnj]

2 MONTHS!

I have personally sent one lens to Sigma and a flash to Nikon and both were back in under 10 days!
(BOTH were not covered, but Sigma waved the fee anyway)

I was quoted 4 week by Nikon and it was back before 1 week and Sigma said 4 weeks and it was back before 2 weeks had passed. Let's hope your quote from Canon is the same .

BTW... Tell them you use your gear "FOR WORK" and any faster would be appreciated .That worked for me ;)

[JSPhoto]

Doesn't work for Canon. The techs know me from Indy 500 and Brickyard 400 as they always clean my gear there and check it out. Anyway, 4-6 week backup right now. My 1D is going in on Monday for repair.

One paper I work for just got their body back last Thursday and it was sent in two days before the Brickyard 400. I couldn't send mine in til they got theirs back!

Anywho, 4 - 6 weeks maybe longer

JS

[paulnj]

MAYBE it's time for CANON to get more techs....... huh ;) It seems like the demand for repairs is high enough to warrant some more techs from your statement, so why not get "Canon USA" to hire a few more guys ;)

Could you imagine if a car repair took 4-6 weeks?

BTW...... What about joining CPS(not that I know how or the requirements), does that help?

[Peter_AUS]

To join CPS you need to be a working professional, have a minimum of 2 L class lenses and high end cameras before they will consider you. But if I remember correctly Cowgirl had a problem and they I think allowed her to access the CPS system for a one off, (but don't quote me on that, just going on my grey matter memory).

[JSPhoto]

Being on Canon CPS does help - a little, but not much on repair time. It's mainly helpful for testing out gear your considering buying, and it is through them I tested the two lenses I'm in the process of buying. Can't believe I will be spending $3200 for two lenses..

[JSPhoto]

To join CPS you need to be a working professional, have a minimum of 2 L class lenses and high end cameras before they will consider you. But if I remember correctly Cowgirl had a problem and they I think allowed her to access the CPS system for a one off, (but don't quote me on that, just going on my grey matter memory).

These restrictions for gear are pure RUMOR for those in the US, however you MUST be a working pro, have credentials etc. You must also submit letters and examples of your work to prove it's most of your income.

JS

[paulnj]

So .... which 2 lenses? Because for auto races you SHOULD have a 300F2.8 or longer in your arsenal in my opinion.

My next major lens purchase will be a while from now and will be a 5K + lens ;)

[JSPhoto]

So .... which 2 lenses? Because for auto races you SHOULD have a 300F2.8 or longer in your arsenal in my opinion.

My next major lens purchase will be a while from now and will be a 5K + lens ;)

There is no gear requirement other than having a pro body, and they assume you have one or two L-series lenses, with no requirement as to what they are. These are rumors that got started saying you had to have two pro bodies and certain lenses - ONLY RUMORS.

You must be a working pro though with 60% of your income from photography. There are different requirements for different types of photographers such as staff photographers and freelance like myself. You need to send credential copies and copies of published work. And, freelancers also need letters from places they shoot for regularly on the companies letterhead.

Getting accepted depends completly on whether they like what is written about you and the examples you submit.

That directly from the person in charge of CPS USA. They limit the number of CPS membership too.
JS

[Themage]

So what happened to your lens and camera that you need them fixed. What are some signs that they are breaking too.

[Lionheart]

So what happened to your lens and camera that you need them fixed. What are some signs that they are breaking too.

The camera was locking up with the Err 01 message, the aperture was reading 00. Only happened with this lens, at first only on my 1D Mk II, then as I tested it on the other camera bodies, it started doing it too (other bodies being a D60, and two 10D's). The other thing it was doing was the image would literally jump in the viewfinder when AF would start, make this strange mechanical thump, then either continue focusing or just stop with the Err 01 message.

[JSPhoto]

Well I just sent my 1D off yesterday but was told I might have it back in two weeks I hope so, I miss it already and have to shoot high school volleyball tonight...
DRebel just doesn't cut it in a dark gym...

JS

[Lionheart]

Well I just sent my 1D off yesterday but was told I might have it back in two weeks I hope so, I miss it already and have to shoot high school volleyball tonight...
DRebel just doesn't cut it in a dark gym...

JS

Really bites not having your favorite gear. Good news-Canon has finished repair on my lens and hopefully will ship out tomorrow.
Continuing to hold my breath....

[JSPhoto]

Wow that was quick! Must not have been serious then. Hope my 1D is that quick! Wonder why they gave such a long turnaround time though?

JS

[Lionheart]

Wow that was quick! Must not have been serious then. Hope my 1D is that quick! Wonder why they gave such a long turnaround time though?

JS

might be just like Paul said, long time quote and quick turn around-makes them look better than short quote and long turnaround time. Fed Ex tracking shows the package enroute from LA. Should be here tomorrow at noon-just in time for the long weekend in San Francisco (I'm going to an orthodontic seminar-actually a continuing ed mini-residency spanning over the course of the next year on weekends).

[JSPhoto]

might be just like Paul said, long time quote and quick turn around-makes them look better than short quote and long turnaround time. Fed Ex tracking shows the package enroute from LA. Should be here tomorrow at noon-just in time for the long weekend in San Francisco (I'm going to an orthodontic seminar-actually a continuing ed mini-residency spanning over the course of the next year on weekends).

AHHHH, that may explain it! Maybe the LA office is slower than the NY office. That would make sense I guess. Maybe they sent mine to the LA office (hope they don't have a blackout while working on my camera!)
The time I was given as 4-6 weeks was through the NY office.

JS

[paulnj]

OH YEAH.... NY is a MAJOR busy area, compared to the left coast. But.... Being as I send all my repairs to NY 4-6 weeks was ALWAYS the quote canon and most others gave over the phone. BTW... I used to work for a canon dealer and we would periodicly send repairs to them.Most repairs went to a general camera repair shop, which did the same work with same warranty length for cheaper. A pro lens , body or DSLR went to CANON though.

[JSPhoto]

Well the one thing I do know is mine will go to a Canon facility as no one else can adjust the auto focus. That requires gear only Canon has, and it's a pro body The sooner I get it back the sooner I buy two new lenses too

[Lionheart]

It has arrived, my prize lens, the fabooloos 70-200 f2.8L IS. And wonders of wonders, it is fixed, and so far (only shot 80 test frames) working fine on all the camera bodies we have. Unfortunately I don't get to take it out to San Francisco with me this weekend-one of my partners at the office needs it for a photo shoot tomorrow-bummer. Oh well, it's not like I had time for photos anyway. I'm just taking a break from reading the pre-requisite chapters from Witsig and Spahl vol. I. This is the first seminar I've gone to that's required 7 chapters of reading from textbooks (which I had to dig up and scrounge from various colleagues around the county) BEFORE the seminar. Got a hunch my head will be spinning before tomorrows lunch break. Well, back to reviewing cephalometric landmarks, planes, archial analysis, Sassouni, Jarabak,.......

[paulnj]

. Well, back to reviewing cephalometric landmarks, planes, archial analysis, Sassouni, Jarabak,.......

You think you have a hard study? try IDing birds Joking ;)

Glad to hear it's back and working fine in 10 DAYS!

[JSPhoto]

I think I'd tell the partner to buy his own ....that way you can breath because your not loaning that lens out!

[Lionheart]

I think I'd tell the partner to buy his own ....that way you can breath because your not loaning that lens out!

well, if he breaks it, he can buy it ;) then I'll put it towards a 1Ds-MkII instead since I really want that full frame sensor, but I want the 45 AF sensors and the cast magnesium alloy frame and body that the full frame 5D doesn't have (it does have a mag/alloy body, but it's not a full cast frame and body). I doubt he'll break anything, although the wear and tear he puts on his laptops makes me a bit worried.
Anyway, just as I feared, no time for photography here in San Francisco. We started at 8, supposed to break at 12, we lunched at 1:30 and went till 6:30 (supposed to be done by 5). Really serious intense course. Tomorrow gets more intense. I've got the 2nd most orthodontic experience among the attendees, a strange contrast to 2 years ago when I had the least experience in a similar ortho mini residency.

[JSPhoto]

well, if he breaks it, he can buy it ;) then I'll put it towards a 1Ds-MkII instead since I really want that full frame sensor, but I want the 45 AF sensors and the cast magnesium alloy frame and body that the full frame 5D doesn't have (it does have a mag/alloy body, but it's not a full cast frame and body). I doubt he'll break anything, although the wear and tear he puts on his laptops makes me a bit worried.
Anyway, just as I feared, no time for photography here in San Francisco. We started at 8, supposed to break at 12, we lunched at 1:30 and went till 6:30 (supposed to be done by 5). Really serious intense course. Tomorrow gets more intense. I've got the 2nd most orthodontic experience among the attendees, a strange contrast to 2 years ago when I had the least experience in a similar ortho mini residency.

Well as a dentist he can afford the lens...
Fortunately I no longer have to deal with dentists....they got all my money and my teeth... didn't know they'd repo em....

Have fun in Frisco, one of my cousins lives there....biologist...lab=BORING!!

JS