Scratch on G9 Lens

Hi all,

I just noticed that I have a tiny scratch RIGHT in the center of my lens on my G9. I think it may have happened in the wind the other day. Not really sure. Either way, boooo! Am I stuck sending it in for service (which is $180!!), or is there a trick someone might have up their sleeve? I've heard of scratch remover for eyeglasses, but not a camera. I don't want to make it worse than it is. Suggestions? Or just service?

You really can't rub it out. See if it shows up under a closeup with a very small aperture. It most likely won't. What you might get is flare on the scratch. In that case, an old trick is to fill the scratch with black marker. It will stop the flare, and will never be in focus.

Sorry to hear that.

Depending on what kind of shooting you do and what you are doing with your photos... for fun, for profit/clients, etc
...you may find that "it's not that bad".

http://www.lensrentals​.com …0/front-element-scratches

Canon service is I think about $150 flat-rate. But that may not include replacing with a refurb lens assembly. So just 'weigh' the cost-benefits. Also just do some methodical testing and takes notes as you do. (there are certain settings that will show the effects more than others... like wide-open and towards the light-source?

Check the pictures. If they look good, don't worry about the scratch.

My G9 has a couple of scratches. Zero effect on pictures at all. My advice with the lens... don't pay too much attention to it. If you do, you will then go crazy over every single speck of dirt, scratch and dust inside the lens. I have old cameras that's pretty nasty but still can take great pictures!

I had a couple of scratched before I got a ding IN the lens glass that showed up 90% of the time. At that point, I finally paid the $180 and they replaced the lens :P but lots of the minor ones will not show up. test it out in all sorts of lighting and speed situations and see what you get. Good luck!!!

tiffhens wrote in post #10612645
Hi all,

I just noticed that I have a tiny scratch RIGHT in the center of my lens on my G9. I think it may have happened in the wind the other day. Not really sure. Either way, boooo! Am I stuck sending it in for service (which is $180!!), or is there a trick someone might have up their sleeve? I've heard of scratch remover for eyeglasses, but not a camera. I don't want to make it worse than it is. Suggestions? Or just service?

Thats more than half the value of a used G9. I think I'd keep it and save for a G11 upgrade instead.

For $250 you can trade up to a refurb G11 from Canon. I don't know why you were quoted $180. The Canon flat rate for a G9 is $149, $249 to trade-in for a refurb G11. At least that's what it was when I dropped off my sons G9 for him. I was amazed when Canon Irvine turned around the repair in 1 DAY!!

gkas wrote in post #10645512
For $250 you can trade up to a refurb G11 from Canon. I don't know why you were quoted $180. The Canon flat rate for a G9 is $149, $249 to trade-in for a refurb G11. At least that's what it was when I dropped off my sons G9 for him. I was amazed when Canon Irvine turned around the repair in 1 DAY!!

Good info. Makes me want to wait for the G12 instead of the D-Lux 5/LX4

Might be worth a try to see what you can get under the Canon Loyalty Program. From another thread (thanks to David Rainey)...

Sound like this:

Customer Loyalty Program's direct number is 866-443-8002, option 2 for digital camera upgrades.

In-stock orders cannot be modified or canceled! That said, here are the four easy steps:

1) Specify that you have a broken Canon XYZ camera and would like to know what the loyalty upgrade options are. They will try to transfer you to a technician, but you can tell them you just want to know the prices first and the rep can give them to you.

2) Once you are ready, call again. This time, you will get transfered to a technician, who will ask you to desribe the issues. They would verify that

1) it's broken* and 2) it's out of warranty (just say you've had it for a over a year). Then, he would ask for the broken camera's serial number, your name, phone, address and email.
(*TIP: if you specify water damage, e.g., it won't turn on after it got wet, they will accept it as broken for sure)

3) The technician will give you the prices as well, then transfer you back to the loyalty program rep, who will take your name, phone, address again as well as your credit card. You will get the order number.
Shipping options:
$10 2-business days
$20 1-business day
Plus state sales tax where applicable

4) Canon will ship you the replacement camera with Fedex signature required, along with a prepaid Fedex label and a box for you to ship your broken camera to them. You must ship it to them within 10 business days to avoid unreturned product fee. You only need to ship the camera body, so you can keep all accesories (batteries, charger, straps, etc.).

John from PA