Real world opinions on Canon CPS

Is it worth it? I currently have 39 points and am a silver (free) member, but within a month or so will have enough to be a Platinum member. I would mainly be using it for simple routine maintenance. I would have 3 bodies I would definitely want to maintenance every year and 4 lenses, so above the 5 pieces on the Gold but still below the 10 on Platinum. Looking for opinions of real world CPS members on the pros / cons of the program.

In my experience there is no reason to send any equipment in "just because". It's like getting a 'tune up' on a car when nothing is out of tune. These things, for some bizarre reason, make people 'feel better' but don't accomplish anything.

Hence, I just join CPS when I have an issue with a piece of gear that I want to get fixed. Then after the repair or servicing is done I let my membership lapse and don't re-join until the need for another repair arises. So I've joined CPS 3 times over the course of the last 9 years. I go with the $100 Gold Membership because I don't think Silver saves you much of anything (so why even bother), but Platinum would cost me far more in membership dues than what it would save me on repairs, so Platinum Membership is not worth it.

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Not sure if you have already seen this page, but here are the details of the 18-point camera body service and 11-point lens service. The maintenance does not involve any servicing whatsoever of internal components.

https://www.usa.canon.​com …canon-maintenance-service

Tom Reichner wrote in post #18248403
In my experience there is no reason to send any equipment in "just because". It's like getting a 'tune up' on a car when nothing is out of tune. These things, for some bizarre reason, make people 'feel better' but don't accomplish anything.

Hence, I just join CPS when I have an issue with a piece of gear that I want to get fixed. Then after the repair or servicing is done I let my membership lapse and don't re-join until the need for another repair arises. So I've joined CPS 3 times over the course of the last 9 years. I go with the $100 Gold Membership because I don't think Silver saves you much of anything (so why even bother), but Platinum would cost me far more in membership dues than what it would save me on repairs, so Platinum Membership is not worth it.

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Thanks. I agree with you to a certain extent. But don't they clean the sensor during maintenance? My 5D definitely needs the sensor cleaned and my 5D3 needs the AF checked (IMO) because it has been hunting quite a bit.

smallick wrote in post #18248419
Not sure if you have already seen this page, but here are the details of the 18-point camera body service and 11-point lens service. The maintenance does not involve any servicing whatsoever of internal components.

https://www.usa.canon.​com …canon-maintenance-service

Thanks. So you're saying that even if you're a CPS member it still costs to have the camera sensor cleaned?

Jarvis Creative Studios wrote in post #18248948
Thanks. I agree with you to a certain extent. But don't they clean the sensor during maintenance?

I suppose they clean the sensor, but that doesn't matter to me, as I am usually giving the sensor a good thorough wet clean about once every day anyway (when shooting daily). Cleaning the sensor is kind of like charging the battery - stuff that is done regularly, as needed.

Jarvis Creative Studios wrote in post #18248948
. . . my 5D3 needs the AF checked (IMO) because it has been hunting quite a bit.

Well that certainly seems like a good reason to send it in.

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Jarvis Creative Studios wrote in post #18248950
Thanks. So you're saying that even if you're a CPS member it still costs to have the camera sensor cleaned?

They do clean the sensor, the mirror and the focusing screen for 'free', anything that can be accessed without having to use a screwdriver

If they find any problem while running diagnostics, they might contact you with a charge for the fix. Then again i have read that they do fix stuff for free now and then.