How to become a CPS member and what are the benefits? (NT)

[sdai]

No Text.

[Cal Maier]

In Canada CPS(Canon Professional Shooter) membership entitles the Pro to purchase pro bodies, accessories, and lenses at dealer cost. It also enables the member to rent certain expensive "L" lenses directly from Canon Canada Inc. Another benefit of membership is very quick turnaround on repairs and service work. In order to qualify for membership the photographer must be a working pro, deriving the majority of their income from photography. You are required to submit samples of your work and letters of reference from clients and/or employers or editors that have used your services as a photographer.

The membership applications can be picked up from any Canon Pro Camera Shop.

Hope this helps.

Cal, CPS#432

[darrell]

is there a cps in the US? I can find sites for it all over eurpoe, but nothing in the states.

[Briland]

I am a USA CPS member. I don't know anything about getting dealer cost on equiptment.

[Cal Maier]

As far as I know, in the USA, the prices for a lot of the Canon Pro gear is priced a bit lower than it is in Canada.

In order to keep the pro shooter from purchasing their equipment outside of Canada, Canon Canada gives them a better price and priority service. This helps to keep that business in Canada and also keeps a lot of pros from switching brands.

I don't know what the CPS member gets in the US or Europe for incentives but I'm sure there must be a perk or two.

Nikon also offers NPS membership to pros but the incentive appears to be priority service for equipment repair, as I don't believe they receive any extra discount on purchases.

Cal

[Motorsports Photo]

CPS in the USA perks are:

Equipment loan. Check out a potential purchase for a week to see if you like it. Very limited but they usually have SOMETHING to loan.

Pro Rush Service. Since they havent fixed any of the bodies I have sent to their facility in Jamesville, NJ I'm sarcastically doubtful of this being something good.

Typically if you can prove you have been published, you can be approved.

-Peter Smakula
Strasburg, OH

[reittila]

AFAIK in Europe one also has to own at least two EOS1-series bodies and three L-series lenses while being a full time pro.