2006 Canon Service Notice: 70-300IS

This was posted by Canon today http://www.usa.canon.c​om …922&keycode=211​2&id=28468

Affected Products:
We have been studying the symptoms of this phenomenon in order to determine its precise cause and to develop an appropriate remedy. We have now determined the cause and have developed the remedy.
This phenomenon affects all EF 70-300 f/4-5.6 IS USM lenses with a "0" or "1" in the third digit of the (8 digit) serial number. Products that have a third digit of "2" or higher in their serial number are not affected.

Customer Support:
We will make inspections and repairs free of charge for customers who are experiencing this phenomenon, so please contact our call center. In addition, our call center will start accepting inquiries regarding affected products from July 18, 2006.
Contact Information for Inquiries
Call Center
1-800-828-4040 (toll free)
8AM - Midnight - Monday to Friday
10AM - 8PM - Saturdays
Email: carecenter@cits.canon.​com

Boy, aren't you quick! Thanks for the post.

Man, thanks for the heads up. This does confirm mine's in the 'bad' batch. Funny, I'm sure somebody posted this thing about the 3rd digit elsewhere months ago - but I couldn't find any other supporting information.

Thanks Fstopjojo. I got mine less than 2 weeks ago and intentionally did not do any portrait oriented shots until Canon devised a "fix" (actually, tne occasion hasn't arisen anyway). I hope Canon does complete and expeditious corrections of this condition and that this validates the faith in the company shown by those of us who purchased the lens knowing of this defect.

I have read the paragraph above a couple of times and find it confusing.

It says to "contact our call center" then in the next sentence it talks about "In addition... from July 18, 2006"

What happens when I contact the call center before July 18th? Do they tell you to call back after July 18th?

BTW... My lens has a 0, so I'm affected.

I spoke with my Canon contact at their Irvine facility today. He says they won't be doing anything until after July 18th, so you could send it in now and it'll just sit there, or you can send it in after July 18th and they'll work on it. I don't know if they will be simply replacing units or actually repairing them. He wasn't sure on that. Either way, it should get fixed and if completely remedied, this is going to be a hot-selling lens (if it isn't already).

I would recommend you email the above address and inform them that you have an affected lens, include your SN#, and at least they have you "on-record" and an email date of your concern.

Just contacted Canon Europe in Amsterdam. They officially do not know of the problem and the solution.
At the moment the Canon guy was not allowed to comment on the problem.
However he told me affected lenses shouldn´t have been sold in Europe.
The first production batch with the doomed serial numbers were exclusively for the Americas.

I have a copy with the problem, and I live in the Netherlands and bought it in The Netherlands.
Just my bad luck.
Now I have to wait till at least July 18th before Canon Europe will have acknowledged the problem!! SIC!!!

Are there other Europeans with affected lenses?

Does anyone that has a good copy notice the very loose barrel problem? I have one of the affected units and I have always noticed how loose the barrel is. This thing will fall to the 300mm position fast if pointed down without the lock on. It's beyond zoom creep and I am wondering if that has anything to do with the other problem on the bad serial number units. I hope mine comes back with a stiffer barrel.

I just returned from the Irvine Repair center since I live about 2 miles away. Was told that they are not sure what they will do to remedy the situation or if it's even possible via a repair (contrary to their website). They did offer to refund my purchase price by issuing a check from from their NY headquarters.

I live in Long Beach, does that mean they just take walk ins or do you have an appointment or

Coder33404 wrote:
I live in Long Beach, does that mean they just take walk ins or do you have an appointment or

Walkins are fine, but, they are not going to address the situation till July 18th and even then they're not sure how or what they're going to do.

That doesn't inspire a great deal of confidence, does it? I think those who have been waiting on buying this lens to see whether it will be fixed might want to keep waiting.

Interesting. Based on serial number, my copy is one of those affected. My serial starts with 1000...., which should put it in the range of affected lenses.

OTOH, I've never seen a problem even in portrait mode. Strange. Maybe I got lucky

I'll think about whether I want to turn it in for repair though. The good thing is that Canon's acknowledging the problem and offering us a solution. No vendor gets it perfect all the time.. but the best vendors are the ones who step up to the plate and fix it.

I'm happy with my second copy (haven't checked the serial number yet)

But if they offer a full refund, then I add £105 rebate, I could push for a 100-400....Hmm

How loose is the barrel on your second copy? Or is it loose at all?