Questions about Canadian Canon Repair Facilities

So I'm thinking of sending my 24-105 in for a minor repair since the focus ring seems loose. I posted a thread about the problem a few days ago but I think it's getting worse.

Anyways, I was hoping the Canadian POTN'ers and others who have had experience with the three Canadian Canon repair facilities can share the good and bad experiences they've had. As far as I know there are three facilities: Calgary, Mississauga, and St. Laurent. Now I've already done a few searches both here and on Google and it seems like Calgary's repair facility has a bad reputation. Can anyone with first hand experience with Calgary's repair facility comment on this? Likewise could anyone with first hand experience with the other two facilities care to share their experiences?

After hearing reports of lost lenses and waits of up to a year for repairs I am now very worried that the same thing might happen to me.

bump for the evening crew

I have heard some good things about Montreal.
I have had some disappointing experiences with Mississauga.

PetKal wrote in post #3206280
I have heard some good things about Montreal.
I have had some disappointing experiences with Mississauga.

master petkal...

do they calibrate lenses too? any experience?

thanks a bunch!

GlennSter wrote in post #3206533
master petkal...

do they calibrate lenses too? any experience?

thanks a bunch!

Glenn, naturally, they do calibrate lenses .....so the lens comes back with the report..."focus adjusted to specifications", however, that's not always a winner.
With one lens I had to do this sorta thing a couple of times, finally, gave them my camera with the lens, and made them calibrate the lens to perfect focus on my camera. That eventually worked OK.
Once they claimed they had to adjust focus on a lens which was focusing perfect to start with.
In short, my advice is....unless you really have to get the lens calibrated by Canon Mississauga, don't.

Hmm maybe I'll stick with St. Laurent then. I really don't want them to mess with anything but the focus ring. I'm pleased with the lens' AF speed and sharpness and all of that jazz.. it's just the bloody focus ring that's annoying me.

Anyone else have any experiences to share?

PetKal wrote in post #3206565
Glenn, naturally, they do calibrate lenses .....so the lens comes back with the report..."focus adjusted to specifications", however, that's not always a winner.
With one lens I had to do this sorta thing a couple of times, finally, gave them my camera with the lens, and made them calibrate the lens to perfect focus on my camera. That eventually worked OK.
Once they claimed they had to adjust focus on a lens which was focusing perfect to start with.
In short, my advice is....unless you really have to get the lens calibrated by Canon Mississauga, don't.

to tell you honestly, I've been itching to send them a lens for calibration. I am having doubts that it is not performing well compared to my other lens.

sharp it is. but i just want to make sure...so I really don't know

thanks for the input sir..and hope to meet you soon.

terriyaki wrote in post #3206605
Hmm maybe I'll stick with St. Laurent then. I really don't want them to mess with anything but the focus ring. I'm pleased with the lens' AF speed and sharpness and all of that jazz.. it's just the bloody focus ring that's annoying me.

Anyone else have any experiences to share?

that's in montreal right?

do you have any idea how much the shipping's gonna be?

thanks!

GlennSter wrote in post #3206653
that's in montreal right?

do you have any idea how much the shipping's gonna be?

thanks!

I'm in Vancouver so my shipping costs would probably be much more than yours.

And yes, St. Laurent is in Quebec. I'm not quite sure how far it is away from Montreal, though. I think I'm going to call them tomorrow and see if I can ask them questions about how long this procedure might take.

terriyaki wrote in post #3207422
I'm in Vancouver so my shipping costs would probably be much more than yours.

And yes, St. Laurent is in Quebec. I'm not quite sure how far it is away from Montreal, though. I think I'm going to call them tomorrow and see if I can ask them questions about how long this procedure might take.

thanks bud. please keep us posted

I used the Calgary facility. I've heard bad stuff about them. My friend sent his 70-200 there because something seemed off. They forgot to service it and didn't get touched until he called asking how it was going. Then they sent it to toronto because they couldn't fix it. (they said an element was off) Then toronto sent it back. Apparently it sat in calgary for two weeks, completed, before my friend called again to ask the status. They never contacted him to tell him it was done. Sheesh.

I sent my 17-55 there because the IS motor died on me. They said 5 weeks because it was Christmas time. I got it mailed back to my home in 5 weeks working great. So Calgary really came through for me.

So really, I don't know what to say about the calgary depot.

I sent my 70-200 and my 20D for calibration to Montreal. When they came back, they work absolutely awesome.

I had a great experience with them.

Leo.

lmelendez wrote in post #3210139
I sent my 70-200 and my 20D for calibration to Montreal. When they came back, they work absolutely awesome.

I had a great experience with them.

Leo.

How long was the wait?

Just got off the phone with a representative from St. Laurent. He told me the average turn around time would be about 14 days, give or take.

Not too bad I guess. It really sucks that fotronic here in Vancouver was closed down, though. I really don't want to be without my baby for a prolonged amount of time. I'm going to go fiddle with the focus ring again to see if it's even worth it to send it in.

Even though I am Scottish I have used the Calgary service centre. I bought my 10D over there and the shutter went after 4 shots. Vistek had no other 10Ds as mine was being kept for me and was their last one (20D came out just after this). I took it into Canon and explained my situation and the repair guy spent the whole afternoon fixing it. My Dad and I were even offered Coffee and donuts while we waited.

I have to point out that this was a very busy time for them. It was just before the Athens Olympics and a lot of pros had stuff in for service before heading off to Greece. We saw 3 come in during the afternoon

The 10D has been flawless since.

All in all a good experience fr me at the Calgary centre

Neil