Do you have CPS Membership and have you benefited from it (other than the mag)?

I have recently taken out CPS membership on the grounds that “Hey it’s free and may come in handy” Would be interested in any stories of how CPS membership has really helped out any members.

Cheers

N

Attaining CPS status varies from country to country. In Canada you have to show that you are a shooting professional that derives your livelihood from photography. You have to have a minimum of equipment which has to be pro level (1 series are the only ones that count for this) and supply tear sheets, samples of works and/or customer testimonials. I believe that Canada is one of the tougher ones and I have never understood the different application from country to country.

I got it for the CPS repair policy which is that you go ahead of all of the non-CPS persons that have things in for repair. Subject to availability they will supply you with a loaner of whatever you have in for repair. I had a 580 in for repair prior to gaining status and it took several weeks to get my unit back. I had the same flash go on me after I got CPS and it took a few days. To me this is a real benefit. There is also the benefit of getting CPS pricing from retailers that recognize it. This does make a difference.

It is sort of a quasi insurance policy for me that my gear will get fixed quickly when things go south. I haven't had to get alot of things repaired but when it does happen you want it rectified quickly. I have one retailer that will extend professional pricing on non-Canon equipment by showing my CPS number. I recently bought some more lighting equipment and this probably saved me a few hundred dollars over the normal retail.

Going by the poll results so far I thought I'd post the following link

http://www.cps.canon-europe.com/faq/index.d​o

marcatkins wrote in post #2455049
Going by the poll results so far I thought I'd post the following link

http://www.cps.canon-europe.com/faq/index.d​o

I was just about to do that

id love CPS, but ive only got a 1dmkii (ONLY!?) and 70-200 on their list....
need 2 lenses and 1 body to get there, if id gone for the canon options a couple times, id have it sorted i guess, oh well...

Crap, those min standards are harsh.

ssim wrote in post #2454476
Attaining CPS status varies from country to country. In Canada you have to show that you are a shooting professional that derives your livelihood from photography. You have to have a minimum of equipment which has to be pro level (1 series are the only ones that count for this) and supply tear sheets, samples of works and/or customer testimonials.

I saw an application form that for studio work simply listed that you needed letters from three clients, price lists, brochures and letterhead as well as three samples of your most recent work. In all honesty, the talk of Canon Canada's atrocious turnaround on repairs has me so concerned that the only way I'm interested in using Canon gear once I switch over to full time photo work is if CPS offers better service. If the case is now that with a 5D I won't qualify for CPS no matter what then I'm quite honestly contemplating a Nikon as my next upgrade. I can't realistically expect to run a business without assurances that if my camera goes down I won't be left twisting in the wind for 6 to 12 weeks. This is messed up

Did you get this information from calling Canon or could you maybe link to some documentation?

Does anyone have the information for the united states application for CPS?

entrefoto wrote in post #2455782
Does anyone have the information for the united states application for CPS?

Some of this may help :

http://www.palmswestpr​ess.com/cps/CPS_Member​_App.pdf

Apparentley they dont have a USA CPS site but this number may get you through 516-328-4833

For USA CPS: 516-328-4283 or 516-328-4833.
E-mail: cpsloan@cusa.canon.com

canon canada has discounts with theirs, and I thought europe did as well. USA is only faster turn around and loaner equipment.


App is here: http://polisphotograph​y.com …ents/Imagesforw​eb/cps.pdf

grego wrote in post #2455470
Crap, those min standards are harsh.

That is the point, they are there to help the full time professional photographer, not the hobbyist or guy who does it on occasion.

What if there was a working pro on a shoot that was costing his client thousands, or tens of thousands of dollars and he had a camera or lens go down prior to the shoot? He needs a loaner while his is in service and some guy that just thought it would be cool to shoot with a cool lens one day has it signed out?

That doesnt help the pro and CPS (and NPS for the Nikon users) is there to provide help to those pros that are spending tens of thousands of dollars on their gear.

They make it tough to make sure that those that really need it are the ones using it.

Its a great service to working pros and if you qualify, you should be a member.

To this point I havent needed to use their biggest benefits (expedited service and loaners), but its damn nice to know they will be there if I have to. I've known more than a few guys that have had CPS save their shoots.

elTwitcho wrote in post #2455744
If the case is now that with a 5D I won't qualify for CPS no matter what then I'm quite honestly contemplating a Nikon as my next upgrade.

The 5D, 30D and 20D will qualify.

Doesn't seem too much use to me, to be honest.

rhys wrote in post #2466952
Doesn't seem too much use to me, to be honest.

I think what most people are missing is that this is really an insurance policy.....if your gear breaks and you need it for a shoot then you get it back in just a few days. You also get a discount on repairs.

For example in a couple of weeks I'll be sending in my 20D, it needs fixed. The good thing is I know I can get it back in just a few days.

I like the fact that if my main body goes down I can get a loaner or get it fixed quick. I'd hate to be without my 1D Mark IIn for more than a few days.....

It will bring value when you really need it.