My baby is off to Canon for service :'(

My 1 year warranty is about to expire on my 5D Mark III and thought I should send it in, to get the light leak phenomenon fixed. I've verified my serial # as one that is affected by the phenomenon and opened a case with Canon. They quickly responded and sent me a shipping label. I also had to map out a couple of small dead (white) pixels using the sensor cleaning technique, which worked, but mentioned that as well for them to take a look.

I've only heard good things about Canon service, but for those who have used them, how satisfied are you? I'm really nervous and hope that they do a good job. They have to open the body to insulate the LCD, which means that they need to peel off the grippy texture surface to access the screws. I hope it comes back like new as I've taken good care of it.

Going to feel odd not having a camera in hand to grab and go.

You won't be disappointed.
If there some one on the planet that knows how this things are built, that is CRC.

This is why my T3i will most likely stay in my possession when I upgrade. Backup is nice to have. Hope it goes smoothly for you.

You sent it to the right place, you wont notice a thing when you get it back.

Just recently had my 60D repaired at the VA center. Great service and done ahead of the promise date.

Yeah the camera is in the best hands for sure. Sent mine in for a check and clean only and it was torn open to adjust the AF sensor (out of position), replace some cables, clean viewfinder and more. Came back looking perfect as ever. No worries!

About to send my 70-200 and 1.4x there today to NJ... So they can calibrate them, since with the extender on requires -1W and +10T which is no good if I use on another body.

I sent my 1DIII in for the af fix and got it back within a week and it's working perfectly now.

I have been very pleased in the past. Over the last few years I have had a 10D, 70-200 2.8 IS, and a 50 1.4 sent to canon service in California.

Now for the latest. My 17-55 2.8 is now back for the third time. I was selling it and I had in in very dusty environments (motocross in Texas) and it had a lot of internal dust. It was out of warranty but sent it in for a good cleaning. I just could not sell it with all the dust in it.

1st time they said the lens assembly was jammed. Not sure what that really meant but it seemed to be working fine when I sent it in. They did not charge me anymore than what they quoted me for cleaning so what the heck. But when it came back it still had the internal dust and the focus ring still was a little gritty. It also came back with some fine scratches/marks on the front elements. Called them and they said they would take care of the cleaning and the scratches at no charge.

2nd time I got it back it was very clean. Looked great but still had the same scratches/marks on the front elements. Called them and they appologised and said they will take care of it. So I sent it back again this week. Maybe third time is a charm.

I was a little nervous they may balk on the scratches/marks since I really do not have 100% proof they did not exist the first time. I did have pictures I took of it to sell but of course if the light is not just right you do not see the scratches. They said they would take care of it so I am happy.

All in all I have been very happy with Canon Service though.

I almost got to the stage where I wanted to send everything I had in during warranty because everything I had to sent it to be fixed came back cleaner and working 'better' than when I sent it in.

I seemed to go though a spate of a lot of stuff breaking in the first year of use (2 cameras and 2 lenses at least in a span of 12 months), but all that has been working fine for at least 2 years since it was fixed.

Getting nervous now, 4 business days since the ups tracking indicated that it has been received at the Irvine facility, but no confirmation or RN number from Canon. I called them up yesterday and it hasn't been entered into the system yet. Should I be worried? Others have gotten their cameras repaired in about 5 days and I can't even get a confirmation that they've received it.

are you a CPS member? if not, it could take 2 - 3 weeks. I would call them though.. no reason to think it would take 5 days to travel thru California.. although the Post Office isn't what it use to be.

I've been thinking about doing the same... I've got until April 17th.... but mine is also in the "Light Leak" batch.... I figured I'd wait until the warranty was almost up to send it in.... but, I dunno... with a 6 month old in the house, it seems that every day is a picture opportunity... I might have to rent a camera while I send mine off... But the money it'll cost for a rental... ugh.

In would imagine the camera doesn't need to be in warranty to get the light leak fix.

ksbal wrote in post #15732220
are you a CPS member? if not, it could take 2 - 3 weeks. I would call them though.. no reason to think it would take 5 days to travel thru California.. although the Post Office isn't what it use to be.

No I'm not a CPS member. UPS tracking number shows that it has been received at their facility / dock, but when I call them, it hasn't been entered into the system yet. UPS got it there in one day.

The problem is that I don't trust UPS! The mistake I made was to have the UPS staff pack the box. I had the camera in the original bubble wrap and they provided me with a box. The lady told me that she'll take care of packing and will put extra padding into it. I should have packed it myself or stayed to watch it happen. She measured the camera and got the smallest box possible so I'm not sure how much additional padding went into it.

Trust more my friend and worry less.
You will live longer and with better quality.
There is a reason insurance is invented or you thought its only the modernized tyrants under that title?
Hakuna Matata!