POSITIVE Canon Service Center Stories

Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III

04/27/2007 06:17:17 PM · #1

Well, I recently sent my 5D along with my 24-105 and 100-400 in to Canon Irvine to get calibrated and cleaned up. I have to say, I was pretty nervous after hearing some of the horror stories about absurd repair time and pricey bills. BUT I'm happy to say that I got everything back today about a week and two days after it arrived in Irvine.

They calibrated both lenses, cleaned my 5D's sensor which is now spotless, fixed a problem with it's auto focus, fixed a rear focus problem on my 100-400, and finally fixed some sand & shock damage and replaced some parts on my 24-105 (which they had said wouldn't be covered in the warranty) all at no charge except for the shipping to get all the stuff there in the first place.

Besides everything being nice and clean, it all feels like it's working a lot smoother now. From my experience I'd definitely say get your gear serviced at least once before the warranty runs out.

Anyone else have any positive experiences with canon service to balance out all the negative stuff you always hear about?

RamblinR

Olympus 12-40mm f/2.8 Pro

04/27/2007 06:22:28 PM · #2

What is the address for the Irvine Canon Service Centre (California I gather)? I will be staying in Irvine in a couple of weeks (visiting from Australia) thought I would take my camera in for a clean seeing I would be there.

Thanks

Message edited by author 2007-04-27 18:23:10.

Blue Moon

Canon EOS-40D

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 USM

04/27/2007 06:31:09 PM · #3

I sent away my S2 IS today (DAMN YOU E18 ERROR!)...I hope everything goes okay. To my knowledge there is no center in Irvine or anywhere in California. They had me send mine to Illonois. To be exact:
1440 Chase Ave
Elk Grove Village, IL 60007

I'm still not to happy that I had to send it 1500 miles away, but I got it insured which makes me feel at little (very little) bit better.

Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III

04/27/2007 06:35:26 PM · #4

I think the service center may depend on the camera model you have. The way I found this location was the 'support' link at consumer.usa.canon.com. Just select your category/product type/model. I imagine with a DSLR the options you'd get are the service centers in Irvine and New Jersey.

ETA The address is:
15955 Alton Parkway
Irvine CA 92618
(949) 753-4200

Message edited by author 2007-04-27 18:36:16.

RamblinR

Olympus 12-40mm f/2.8 Pro

04/27/2007 06:53:04 PM · #5

Thanks for that address. Just phoned them and they said they try to do a sensor clean in a day turnaround. Yaaaay.

krnodil

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM

04/27/2007 06:57:28 PM · #6

Originally posted by bfox2:

... fixed a problem with it's auto focus, ...

would you mind mentioning what the problem was? I have a 5D myself and sometimes not sure if it's me not knowing how to work all the AF settings yet, or whether there's a problem with the camera. I'm leaning toward "it's me", by the way... ;)

04/27/2007 07:03:53 PM · #7

Originally posted by RamblinR:

Thanks for that address. Just phoned them and they said they try to do a sensor clean in a day turnaround. Yaaaay.

Awesome! Good luck with it!

Originally posted by krnodil:

You know I'm not exactly sure myself. The repair sheet I got back said:"it was found that the auto focus did not operate properly". I hadn't noticed any real consistent problems, although I had seen some hunting from time to time that seemed excessive (not necessarily in poor light either). I do remember a problem when using my 50mm 1.8 where I could focus on something in good light with very clear lines and it simple would not focus at all. Come to think of it, judging by some pictures I took on my last vacation I think the AF might have had some impact on sharpness, although that could also have been in conjunction with the back focusing of the 100-400 or my general lack of skill. ;)

If you can stand to be without the camera for a bit (especially if it's still under warranty) I'd say send it in, but thats up to you :)

krnodil

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM

04/27/2007 07:11:54 PM · #8

Originally posted by bfox2:

Originally posted by krnodil:
would you mind mentioning what the problem was? I have a 5D myself and sometimes not sure if it's me not knowing how to work all the AF settings yet, or whether there's a problem with the camera. I'm leaning toward "it's me", by the way... ;)

You know I'm not exactly sure myself. The repair sheet I got back said:"it was found that the auto focus did not operate properly". I hadn't noticed any real consistent problems, although I had seen some hunting from time to time that seemed excessive (not necessarily in poor light either). I do remember a problem when using my 50mm 1.8 where I could focus on something in good light with very clear lines and it simple would not focus at all. Come to think of it, judging by some pictures I took on my last vacation I think the AF might have had some impact on sharpness, although that could also have been in conjunction with the back focusing of the 100-400 or my general lack of skill. ;)

If you can stand to be without the camera for a bit (especially if it's still under warranty) I'd say send it in, but thats up to you :)

Thanks for the input - I find mine hunts a bit unexpectedly too(when the conditions seem fairly optimal).

And, yes, I do intend to take advantage of that before the warranty runs out - there's a service location near where my family is in NJ and next time I go up for a visit I intend to hand deliver everything to them. Then all I have to worry about is it getting damaged on the way back to me!