Canon Service

[Tucson T4R]

After my 7D and 17-55mm F2.8 IS USM lens went through the Upper Antelope Canyon falling sand abuse I decided to send in the lens and camera body for a professional cleaning and check out. I shipped them to the Irvine, CA Canon service center last week. I got them back this morning and I'm impressed.

On the lens they did a great job cleaning it inside and out. It looks like new now. Sand had gotten into the focus ring assembly and they didn't even mess with trying to clean it. They replaced the entire auto focus assembly with a new one. I'm sure that it is cheaper for them then spending the tedious hours it would have taken to clean the intricate parts but the result is my lens is back in tip top shape and should be fine for years more of shooting. Yeah, someday I need to step this one up to a better sealed L lens but for now the optics in this lens are great.

On the 7D camera body they also didn't mess with cleaning the top control wheels that had sand grit in them. They replaced the entire upper control plate on the camera so all my top controls are now new. They also found a problem (not sure what) with the main mother circuit board when they ran their diags against it and replaced it. Then cleaned the sensor and mirrors and the rest of the body. It too looks and works like a new camera now.

This wasn't cheap, it cost me almost $400 for both the lens and camera but it was worth it. Next time I will protect my equipment better when in ugly conditions.

Just sharing this to let folks know the Irvine Canon service center does nice work and I'm a happy shooter again.

[nwoods]

I once had my trusty 70-200 F2.8 fall out of my backpack near the top of Klondike Bluffs. It bounced all the way down. Recovery of the pieces is an eventful story, for another time.

It cost $600 to repair via Canon's Irvine location (which is local to me), but it's immaculate now. I personally think they just replaced it with a new one, but perhaps not. Like you said, not an inexpensive process, but entirely worth it.

[ywen]

Damn 400 bucks? Must be mostly labor? I sent in my 17-40 to canon NJ, in two pieces, came back as one, and only charged $180

[Tucson T4R]

Damn 400 bucks? Must be mostly labor? I sent in my 17-40 to canon NJ, in two pieces, came back as one, and only charged $180

The Camera body was $250 so the lens repair with new auto focus assembly was $150. Seemed reasonable to me based on the parts replaced and excellent complete cleaning they did.

[Redline]

Happy ending

[Photomike]

The Camera body was $250 so the lens repair with new auto focus assembly was $150. Seemed reasonable to me based on the parts replaced and excellent complete cleaning they did.

Considering the cost to replace (even with a cheaper version of the body) and that was a great deal!

[Lost Canadian]

I know some people like to hate on the big two but the big two are the only two camera companies at this point anyway, that offer top level service to both working pro's and enthusiasts, and Brad's is a perfect example of that and why I'll mainly stick with Canon and Nikon in the near and foreseeable future. I've had great luck with both Canon and Nikon service centers of out of Toronto as well.