sensor cleaning at irvine center

Out of warranty, Canon 10D sent into Irvine for a "cleaning gone wrong" scenario where I was hoping they could just put in a new low-pass filter. Was quoted $900 for a replacement sensor. As I was just about to have them send me back the 10D to use as a paperweight, I asked if they could do a "very thorough" cleaning. They kindly obliged and within 3 days i got back a "better than new" cleaned sensor with absolutely no marks or streaks.

The premature estimate for a new sensor was partially my fault since I "guessed" it needed a new low-pass and put that on my service order rather than a good professional cleaning, so I won't hold the first diagnosis against them.

EORI wrote in post #3398914
What was the wait time, and did a line form for the cleaning while you were there?

I stop by Canon (Irvine) occasionally on my way to Costco to have my camera cleaned. Usually they are done by the time I finish shopping.

sixsixfour wrote in post #3398948
When I walked in, they were empty. Took all of five minutes to register two DSLR bodies and left with two claim tickets. I went to work, and stopped by at lunch. That took a while since a LOT of people drop off their gear right around that time. Took me about 50mins (I was checking my watch the whole time) to get my gear. You can test it on the spot and check it before you go. I think if it were an odd time (between 9-11am and 2-4pm) I would have gotten my gear faster, as the only factor was the people coming in to drop things off during their lunch breaks.

I think I was there that day. I dropped off my 1D Mark II at 8:30am and there was no one there. I came back around 11:00 and it was packed and they were handing out numbers... I had to wait 45 minutes just to pick up my camera. They usually have me sign but they didn't even make me do that...
There were about fifteen people there. That's the most I've ever seen; usually there's no more than three or so at most. Almost everyone there was dropping something off, which made the wait longer. There was a guy carrying five or six 1D Mark II boxes... I'm not sure what his deal was but that's the first time I've seen so many of them together.
Sensor cleaning is free for any Canon digital SLR regardless of warranty status. I had a 1D (MkI) cleaned for free a while ago and my current 1D Mark II is always cleaned for free. There's this one spot at the very corner of the sensor that they've missed the last two times though; I think I'll try mentioning it next time.

Lani Kai wrote in post #3402435
There were about fifteen people there. That's the most I've ever seen; usually there's no more than three or so at most. Almost everyone there was dropping something off, which made the wait longer. There was a guy carrying five or six 1D Mark II boxes... I'm not sure what his deal was but that's the first time I've seen so many of them together.

If you are referring to the guy with like two travel-like suitcases (slim guy, long hair, glasses, jeans, sandals - talk about photographic memory) yes he had like what, 6 EOS1D bodies. I was like . That was one week ago yesterday.

I live about 10 miles from the Irvine center and take my camera there to get the sensor cleaned once every couple of months. It's a very nice, free service that Canon offers for locals. Its fast as I have never waited more than an hour for the sensor to be cleaned.
As for wait time, it really depends on what time you get there. I usually show up around ten and the wait doesn't seem long at all. For me, dropping off the camera is much shorter in duration then the picking up part. I think because I do what alot of people do which is drop it off, have lunch and come back after lunch.
I am having my 20D serviced right now by them so I will come back to let you know how fast it took.

does anyone have the adress for the irvine center? i cannot find it anywere!!

15955 Alton Parkway
Irvine, CA 92618

cool thanks!!

I'm sending in my 20D and 5D soon. They are full of dust as I've been using them a lot lately. The 5D still has dust all over the viewfinder and I am hoping the NJ center can do something about it. I can do a walk in if I drive to my Mom's on a weekday.

My friend dropped off my 20D for repair this morning at the Irvine Service Center but I forgot to ask her to tell them I want the sensor cleaned. Does sensor cleaning automatically come with repair service or do I have to explicitly ask for it? Are firmware updates done for free?

I'm hesitant to call back to request a sensor cleaning because I was told there would be no charge for the repair (despite the fact that my 20D is no longer under warranty) and have them realize that they should be charging me to fix it.

sixsixfour wrote in post #3403659
If you are referring to the guy with like two travel-like suitcases (slim guy, long hair, glasses, jeans, sandals - talk about photographic memory) yes he had like what, 6 EOS1D bodies. I was like . That was one week ago yesterday.

It was indeed June 11... I did see the guy with two suitcases but I didn't see what he had inside (I was just leaving). The guy that I saw walked in carrying a stack of 5 or 6 1D boxes in his arms.

I just mailed in my Rebel XT last week for cleaning (to the NJ office). Called them yesterday and was told it was going to be $196. I freaked out! Luckily, camera was still under warranty so the $196 was waived.

thanks for all the respond... especially 664...
I'm thinking of going there tomorrow... is friday a bad day to go there? more busy maybe... also, what should I bring? box, receipt, etc... thanks

psxindo wrote in post #3417785
thanks for all the respond... especially 664...
I'm thinking of going there tomorrow... is friday a bad day to go there? more busy maybe... also, what should I bring? box, receipt, etc... thanks

if you get there at 8am, you shouldnt have any problems leaving the camera. all they need is just the camera itself, you tell the clerk what you want done, they inspect the camera (CF card, lens, batteries), key in the serial number, give you a printed work ticket, tell you when to come back (usually about an hour or so) and you're off.

now coming back to pick it up is a different story. assuming everyone comes in the same time like when i went, give yourself at least an hour - most pros that drop equipment off have at least two bodies and take a while to explain exactly what needs done. i dont blame them, id want to get my equipment thoroughly checked while its there.

good luck.

In regards to the person in Australia being charged - that sounds right. When I went there some time last year they wanted to charge us $100 (although that's a full body clean) or $50 for a sensor clean - but they did it for free anyway (as we were also getting the focus checked)

They don't do it for free here