Canon repair 1Ds/550EX

[mebow]

My Canon EOS 1Ds would not function with the 550EX Speedlite in ETTL mode nor would it track which focal length was in use while using the 24-70MM F2.8L lens. At first we suspected the speedlite but a trip to repair in Irvine California returned the speedlite with no error found. Tuesday November 18th I sent the camera and the speedlite back to Canon for diagnostics and repair.

The camera was returned today, November 28th(UPS OVERNIGHT) and is functioning perfectly. Canon replaced the entire top assembly which included the flash shoe.

Lately I have read bad press on the forums regarding Canon repair. My experience to date with Canon Repair and Canon USA Tech services have all been above expectations and I just wanted to share this with you all.

Happy Holidays,

Mike

[Belmondo]

It is always helpful to hear 'happy' stories like this regarding Canon's repairs facilities. If I'd read a few more like this, I probably would not have made the decision I did earlier today.

I just received a 70-200 f/2.8L IS lens that gave very soft images (polite language for 'downright crappy pictures').

I spoke at length with Canon's tech support people this morning (very nice), and they concluded that it was probably an IS problem; they gave me the choice of sending it to Irvine or, if the retailer agreed, exchanging it for another one. The people at 17th Street were very obliging, so I opted to return it and have another new one being sent out (even though my credit card will be dinged until they receive the returned lens). I simply couldn't stand the thought of waiting weeks for Canon to cycle it through their repair department.

From what I gather here, that very possibly would not have been the case.

Oh well, maybe I'm ultimately happier getting an altogether new one instead of a new 'repaired unit.'

Tom

[robertwgross]

Mike, can we assume that the 550EX does not have the wide angle diffuser in front of the flash head?

I once made the mistake of pulling the diffuser out and in front of the flash head, and then it would only report Manual focal length, no matter what lens I used.

The strange thing was that I hadn't even had anything to drink when this happened.

---Bob Gross---

[mebow]

Belmondo.... i dont think that Canon takes weeks to return the units anymore. In my case they sent it back UPS overnight which I appreciated. I would'nt hesitate to have it repaired or get a new lens like you opted for. Anyway, thanks for the reply. Good shooting. Mike

[mebow]

N o Bob it was a communications problem between the camera body and the light. To check that I had an MT24EX in the bag that we connected during a teleconference with tech support. It too would not function ETTL. Thus the return to Irvine with camera and (just to make sure) the 550. When they returned it with their repair page they specifically said "No communications between camera and 550".

Works fine now. Cant wait for the rain to stop so I can get out among the Trumpeter Swans and Snow Geese that are here right now by thetens of thousands.

Mike

[robertwgross]

Mike, I did not suggest any communications problem between the camera body and the light (flash unit?).

Normally, the 550EX will auto-select a flash zoom depending on what the lens is reporting for focal length. However, that function is inhibited if the wide angle diffuser panel is dropped down in front of the flash head. Then the 550EX only reports manual focal length mode and 24mm or something regardless of what the lens is doing. This is purely an intended 550EX function, since the user is only supposed to pull that diffuser into position for very wide angle lenses.

You didn't mention about the MT24EX earlier. When I consider the communication link that has to happen between the camera and the flash, and when I think that it has to go through the hot shoe connection, I sometimes wonder how it ever works at all.

---Bob Gross---