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

I've been a CPS member here in the US for over a year. It's definitely saved me money by being able to get gear for free, and the turn around on my 20D cleaning I did earlier this year was plenty quick...though I wish there were some discounts associated with the membership.

taygull wrote in post #2467078
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.

Backups...

Plus you should - if your business plan is any good - have some spare cash ready for emergencies like buying a new camera.

rhys wrote in post #2468832
Backups...

Plus you should - if your business plan is any good - have some spare cash ready for emergencies like buying a new camera.

I've got a 1D Mark IIn, a 5D, and a 20D....so yes I have backups....the point is there is value in getting a repair done sooner than later and getting a discount on it. There is also value in not having to run out and spend $3500 for a backup to my back when this service will turn around my "favorite" body in 3 days.

I take it you must not be a member...or can't become one?

taygull wrote in post #2469016
I take it you must not be a member...or can't become one?

I don't join anything. Period.

rhys wrote in post #2469234
I don't join anything. Period.

LOL, sounds like sound judgement...

Of course I guess that includes internet forums....

vwpilot wrote in post #2462838
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.

Oh, I understand why its there. But even then, a pro can be a pro, but not have the money yet to have all the equipment. I'm still one L and one 1 series down.

That's all I meant by that. Obviously there are reasons but there are also other ways to check if someone is really a working pro or not on the other hand.

I'm defintely not crying about it, but it is a lot, especially for someone who might be a pro but not be able to afford everything just yet. That's where i'm coming from.

I'd rather shoot with 2 XTs and Tamron lenses, get the photos and sell the work than spend loads of money on gear.

grego wrote in post #2471110
Oh, I understand why its there. But even then, a pro can be a pro, but not have the money yet to have all the equipment. I'm still one L and one 1 series down.

That's all I meant by that. Obviously there are reasons but there are also other ways to check if someone is really a working pro or not on the other hand.

I'm defintely not crying about it, but it is a lot, especially for someone who might be a pro but not be able to afford everything just yet. That's where i'm coming from.

I think you may have confused europe's standards and the USA's. Europe is a gear standard, USA is a working standard, you just need proof of contract work basically.

marcatkins wrote in post #2456316
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

I've seen this PDF posted several times on various forums, but it is WAY out of date (the date on the form is 8/00 for goodness sake). For example, the latest flash listed is the 550EX, and many lenses released in the past few years are not listed.

Why oh why would Canon USA be so secretive about this program? Canon Europe CPS has their own site, and a TON of useful info listed on the site, as does Canon Australia, etc..

Why wouldn't Canon USA at least have somewhere online to go and get a current application?

Dennis

It took me about 2 weeks of searching to find the contact and email. The only thing I can think of is they have a limited budget/resources so they don't want to overwhelm themselves.

grego wrote in post #2471110
Oh, I understand why its there. But even then, a pro can be a pro, but not have the money yet to have all the equipment. I'm still one L and one 1 series down.

That's all I meant by that. Obviously there are reasons but there are also other ways to check if someone is really a working pro or not on the other hand.

I'm defintely not crying about it, but it is a lot, especially for someone who might be a pro but not be able to afford everything just yet. That's where i'm coming from.

There is NO equipment standard for CPS in the US. All you have to do is prove that you fall within their working guidlines. They do ask you to list you gear, but its only for their own info, not for admission.

Rhys, I dont know what to say to you, you obviously must go around wearing your tinfoil hat because you seem to think that every organization, credit card company, bank and everything else in this world is out to get you.

I have multiple bodies and I have plenty of cash reserves to go out and buy a duplicate of every piece of equipment that I own if I needed to.

However, I dont have to because I am a member of CPS. If I have a camera break on a job, I can have a loaner to me the next day via FedEx. Of course not always if they are all loaned out (like trying to get stuff during the World Cup and Super Bowl are hard as most of their gear is out on loan), but they come through more often than not.

I had a friend have a shutter blow at an event last month on his MkII. He had a 1D in his hands the next day from Canon, sure not a MkII, but another very capable camera.

Its a valuable resource and its FREE if you qualify. There is no reason NOT to join if you can. Why not get a discount and expedited repair? Why not have the ability to test a new lens for free if you are thinking of buying it? Why not be able to possibly get a loaner if your camera goes down? Seems like a pretty simple question to me.

As to why they keep it hidden, well they dont exactly. But its more of a word of mouth thing in the US. They dont want everyone and their mother applying when most wouldnt qualify, they count on pros telling other pros about the service. They are more than happy to send you the paperwork if you simply ask them.

I've used my membership to jump the queues at Canon repair centres from time to time. Handy, given how unreliable the gear has been.