Lens cleaning & calibration - how much?

Quick question to those of you that have had their lenses in to Canon to get a lens cleaned and/or calibrated. How much did it cost you, and how long did it take?

I'm looking to have quite a few of my lenses cleaned and calibrated with my camera body as it will be with then anyway. Also, how long did it take and did you see positive results?

Any info is appreciated.

I can remember when VCR'S were getting popular in the 1980's and people were paying $35 just to have the heads cleaned by professionals. Its good if you dont know what your doing but I would rather spend time researching and learning on how to do it myself.

In the USA camera sensor cleaning is free. For lens service the minimum is $140 plus parts and any special labor. All lenses are always cleaned inside out when any type of service is done (so I was told ). They take about 10 working days from the time you gear shows up at their facility. The longest it has taken on any of my toys was 1 calendar week. All of my work has been done under warranty, but the day I showed up with my macro and no proof of purchase. They wrote a $140 minimum in the estimate, until I presented my receipt.

This was my quote:

Examination / Request Details:

Summary of Charges:

back-focus problem and the problem worsens as the distance to the subject increases. CHECK ALL FUNCTIONS. MINIMUM LABOR RATE, INCLUDES MINOR PARTS
Parts $ 0.00
Labor $ 95.00
Service / Work Type: Charge , Repair
Sub Total $ 95.00

Equipment Received:
EF 135 2.0 L USM
Sales Tax $ 8.79

Shipping $ 15.00

Total Due $ 118.79

After sending in just the lens twice, I finally sent it in with the camera. It took almost 3 weeks for the round trip the last time. Also, they will send you a label to ship via UPS and if you call them, they tell you that it covers the insurance. According to UPS, it doesn't. If you want it insured, you'll have to pay to ship it yourself.

Bob R

Never knew it was that much.

ps249 wrote in post #5145679
but I would rather spend time researching and learning on how to do it myself.

DIY lens calibration?

I'm all ears...

bob_r wrote in post #5145742
Also, they will send you a label to ship via UPS and if you call them, they tell you that it covers the insurance. According to UPS, it doesn't. If you want it insured, you'll have to pay to ship it yourself.

OP is in the UK.

I think it cost me about £70 for calibration at cps.

bob_r wrote in post #5145742
This was my quote:


Total Due $ 118.79

Bob R

Wow, I never knew it costs that much! How do you know when it needs cleaning or how often should it be cleaned?

The standard, that Canon charges, depends on the lens. My EF 100-400, which is at Canon now, is $193.00.

Call Canon.
Canon NJ - 732-521-7007

Keith R wrote in post #5146144
OP is in the UK.

Should have had another cup of coffee before responding.

We are CPS members, so turn around time is usually 3-4 days from receipt for us. Cost varies depending on the lens. Recently a 90mm TS-E was cleaned for $140. A bunch of others for the roughly same price +/- $20.

Once we had a 16-35 II front element replaced for $560 or so. And of course there was a submerged 600mm that was pronounced dead after a week of sitting there. No charge.

around $189 to clean and recalibration for my 500IS few weeks ago. 5 days.

DOA nice flower vase? Or wheres the smashing video!

Well if anyone wants to try to clean or repair a Canon 200mm F2.8 L lens....I have Canon service manual....any interests drop me a line to
denton@oregontrail.net