Check up Service for used Equipment

vdotmatrix · #1 06-21-2009, 01:12 AM

Let's suppose you buy a used 1D Mark II N and you want to send it off someplace to clean it, service it an check everything out-you know, a tune up, if there is such a thing.

How much would one expect to pay for this and who would you send this to and what would this service be called?

DougAxford · #2 06-21-2009, 01:54 PM

From my experience a simple tune-up and cleaning at Canon is under $100. You can expect to pay a lot more if there are problems to fix.

There are lots of non-Canon repair companies. If you get a few great recommendations for a local one it may be worthwhile but I wouldn't bite unless I knew they did a very reliable job. That being said, I know a few pros that have been unhappy at times with both Nikon & Canon repair centres. Sadly, they all employ real humans.

Unlike older film cameras, there's just not a whole lot that can be tuned on a DSLR. It works 'till it breaks.

Unless you have a dirty sensor or known issues, I'd prefer to just leave it until something goes wrong. Same goes for updating firmware - don't do it unless you know it has improvements you need.

Dennis_Vied · #3 06-21-2009, 07:27 PM

Ditto to Doug's advice. I wouldn't send in a camera for service unless it had a known problem, or I found something didn't work as it should. Then expect to pay a standard fee for repair, something on the order of $600 or $700, unless a major item like the shutter replacement occurs. This service will include a C&A, (Cleaning and Adjustment). Some people swear by the C&A service, but as Doug says, it works until it breaks. I've had my problems with Nikon service, but so far, none with Canon service. Still, the manufacturer's service is generally the best available. I clean my sensors myself, and that is the major service item with DSLRs.

I think the difference has to do with items such as film transport in film cameras. It used to be that cleaning and adjusting a film camera was the thing to do to insure good service. In the case of DSLRs, you don't have the same dynamics working. The major feature is electronics, and they either work, or they don't, in which case you need service.