What's the best way to send my lens to Canon for repair?

After noticing peoples' eyes seeming softer on the left side of the picture and running through several of tests, I have determined my 70-200 f2.8 IS is noticeably softer on the left side. Yes I made sure my camera perpendicular to the focus plane when testing.

I have never done this before so please bear with me.

1. Is it better if I call to arrange the repair by telephone or by using this link?
https://www.usa.canon.​com …tegoryid=216&mo​delid=7469

2. Should I put the lens in the original Canon box? I was planning just to send the lens with the covers and wrap it really well with bubble wrap and pack it really well in a regular box.

3. My lens is still under warranty. Do I need to send the warranty card with it? Or is a copy of the receipt enough?

4. What else should I enclose with the lens?

I've only had to do this once, but it went very smoothly.

1. I called Canon - in part because I had busted my lens and wanted to know about what the process of getting a repair estimate would look like. Following the phone call, I received an email with the detailed instructions of the sending the lens in.

2. I sent the lens in the original box. Make a note on the paperwork of what specific things you are including (cover, lens cap, rear mount cap, etc.). All of it was returned with my lens. For me, I shipped the lens with the front and rear caps. No lens cover, and no hood.

3. Don't know about this - out of warranty (and besides, the damage was entirely my fault)

Good luck!

garycoleman wrote in post #8889347
After noticing peoples' eyes seeming softer on the left side of the picture and running through several of tests, I have determined my 70-200 f2.8 IS is noticeably softer on the left side. Yes I made sure my camera perpendicular to the focus plane when testing.

I have never done this before so please bear with me.

1. Is it better if I call to arrange the repair by telephone or by using this link?
https://www.usa.canon.​com …tegoryid=216&mo​delid=7469

2. Should I put the lens in the original Canon box? I was planning just to send the lens with the covers and wrap it really well with bubble wrap and pack it really well in a regular box.

3. My lens is still under warranty. Do I need to send the warranty card with it? Or is a copy of the receipt enough?

4. What else should I enclose with the lens?

call canon and they will talk you through the very simple process. DO NOT send the lens in the original box. use bubble wrap and a cardboard box.

ed rader

I went the online route. Printed the resulting work order and shipped the lens to Canon. They did their magic and shipped it back. Smooth as butter. I'd use FedEx as UPS and USPS are quite expensive by the time you add insurance (~$20). You can track your progress online as well, which is nice.

Use a nice cardboard box with lots of peanuts/padding. Don't send anything more than absolutely necessary - that is, just the lens and front/back caps. No hood, no original box, nothing. Drop the lens in a ZipLoc bag first to keep out dust and debris from the packing material and just in case the box gets rained on/dunked.

I just arranged it online. I also plan to double box it. I am shipping by FedEX ground because it is the cheapest with insurance. Thanks everyone.

and here is how the defect looks like

HTTP response: NOT FOUND | MIME changed to 'image/gif' | Redirected to error image by FLICKR

Looks obvious to me. Hope they get it fixed for you.

Sure you were lined up parallel to the subject? I always find that a challenge to figure out.

gasrocks wrote in post #8893074
Sure you were lined up parallel to the subject? I always find that a challenge to figure out.

yep. I even tilted to the left and right of the focus plane to see if there were any changes and the left was still softer than the right. Plus my other lens is equally sharp on both sides

How long does it take for Canon to receive it into their system? Fedex shows it was signed and delivered to them this morning. But the Canon online tracker still shows they haven't recieved it.

It could take a few days.

garycoleman wrote in post #8889347
After noticing peoples' eyes seeming softer on the left side of the picture and running through several of tests, I have determined my 70-200 f2.8 IS is noticeably softer on the left side.

My understanding is that this type of issue may also be caused by the camera lens mount being ever so slightly out of manufacturing tolerance. One way to test that would be to check other lenses (it shows particularly well on fast wides like the 24mm f/1.4.) Just FYI.

garycoleman wrote in post #8913407
How long does it take for Canon to receive it into their system? Fedex shows it was signed and delivered to them this morning. But the Canon online tracker still shows they haven't recieved it.

canon tracking and e-mail notification are 50/50. they either do it or they don't.

ed rader

ed rader wrote in post #8889462
call canon and they will talk you through the very simple process. DO NOT send the lens in the original box. use bubble wrap and a cardboard box.

ed rader

Why not use the original box? I'm about to ship one out tomorrow.

ed rader wrote in post #8913804
canon tracking and e-mail notification are 50/50. they either do it or they don't.

ed rader

I've had the same experience. When my item finally showed up on Canon's repair web page, the UPS gal had already delivered it back to me. Canon fixed it right, and no problems since.