2006 Canon Service Notice: 70-300IS

I stand corrected...

I too, have the fatal number, but I rarely shoot in the portrait mode. It seems to me that since Canon has acknowledged there is a problem with the lens, then after July 18 one can send it in at their leisure. OC I wonder at just how many of these are going to flood their Service Centers after the July date. The pictures I have taken with this lens have been superb and I have no regrets at buying the lens. I am not even sure i will send this lens in for service, but will be attentive at this forum to see what happens.

I have also noticed that most places are "out of stock" for this lens. B&H has told me I can prepurchase so I'm ensured to get one ASAP and get the rebate (if prepurchased prior to 16 July). But, this could backfire if I don't get it before mid August since one reason I want it is for an upcoming trip. I'm considering plopping down an extra $1k for the 100-400mm L but don't know if it'll be worth it for me. OTOH, I'm considering renting the L but afraid I'll like it so much that I want to own it. Decisions, decisions, decisions....

I have a 'bad' number, but the lens seems good (its my 2nd). And it doesn't seem to be 'floppy' either. In fact several times I've forgotten to lock it into place at 70mm as it stays there on its own.

Well,I got mine in the UK, A.J.Purdy, Harlow, Essex. It has a problem and the third digit is a 0. I cannot belive Canon Europe does not know about this, WE DO.Anyhow I have sent my 70-300IS to Canon at Borehamwood to sort it out. Awaiting details. Regards Mike.

Oddly enough, when I first enquired at my dealer about this lens (approx. 1 month ago) and mentioned the problem, they weren't aware of it. I went in to check availability last week, mentioning the service report update re the fix and affected serial numbers, and they didn't know about that either. They asked me where I was getting my information from, so I suggested they check in here! It sounds as though Canon UK/Europe are a bit behind our USA cousins.

I live in the UK and sad to say I too have a lens with the dreaded "0" serial number. Have taken test shots of the lens at 300mm and sure enough, the resolution is much poorer in the vertical postion. Have contacted Canon UK and their UK repair centre who didn't know about the problem. Looks like we will have to wait till Europe catches up with the US. In the meantime, no portrait shots!

Gordon

Canon 30D
EFS 17-85 f/4-5.6 IS USM
EF 70-300 f/4-5.6 IS USM

Hi Click,
I just sent you a private message regarding your dealings with Canon in Borehamwood.
Would you mind taking a quick look?
Many thanks,
Treve

I received a call from Canon yesterday (which I missed) and today I received a UPS label with instruction on sending the lens for "expedited repair."

Anyone else getting similar notice?

Nic

I called in over a week ago. Still waiting for my shipping label. When did you call?

Has Canon announced what they are going to do with the faulty units yet? There was some thought they would just replace them as opposed to repairing them. If they are going to repair them I wonder what in particular they are going to do to fix the problem. Does Canon ever tell you what they have to do or do they just fix it and ship it back to you?

My conversation was pretty clear that my lens would be repaired. They were originally expecting parts to come in on 7/19 and they arrived early. So, whatever the "fix" is seems to be a repair and not a replacement. My person thought that I would have the lens back in a 10-day turnaround time period.

I called today (July 18) about my 70-300IS, serial number 090xxxxxx. After navigating their phone menu system, I got right to a live person.

However, it was obvious that he did not know what I was talking about, and had to look things up. Not a big problem. After several waits on hold, he set up the repair and told me I should receive a shipping label, and that it would probably be second-day air. He expected turnaround time to be 7-10 business days.

I'll see what happens.

Edit: Later on July 18 I received a call from a Canon representative. He promised to email instructions for shipping, and (more important) an email I could print to get a prepaid shipping label. He also said that the repair would take 7-10 business days, and that shipping would 2nd day air in both directions. And he said that they would be repairing, not replacing, the lenses.

So far, so good!

Has anyone heard when the 70-300 IS will be available again? Almost everyone is out of stock, which I'm assuming is because of the recall. I have an order pending with ProFeel but they had no idea when the lenses might become available again.

Mike, Any feedback from Canon at Borehamwood yet? I am also in the UK and would like my 70-300IS repaired/replaced as it shows the dreaded fall off in resolution when taking vertical shots.
Gordon