Canon warranty and after-warranty service

[Tom]

Does anyone have any experience with Canon's in-warranty and post-warranty service/repair? I'm just curious what I should expect after the Costco 90-day return policy and manufacturer's 1 year warrantty on my Canon DSLR expire.

Sony used to have a $150 flat-rate repair fee for out-of-warranty products, but I have no idea what it is today. Recently I returned an in-warranty Sony Playstation 3; Entered the info online, they sent me UPS pre-paid packaging with instructions. I dropped it off at the UPS store, and several days later a brand new system arrived on my doorstep. My only nit was that the UPS tracker gave me one delivery date and the UPS phone message gave me the day before. I stayed home for two days because the tracker was correct (the package needed a signature). But I really can't fault Sony's in-warranty service.
[edit]Corrected warranty statement.[/edit]

[seilerbird]

I have never needed to use their warranty service but from what I hear it is excellent. Generally, if it works for the first month it will work for a long time.

[Tom]

Thanks Tom. I was playing with my camera today with owners manual in hand, and it occurred to me that the on-off switch would probably be the first thing to fail, assuming that the camera and lenses have been treated well. That's what prompted me to post my message.

[seilerbird]

The simple solution there is to not use the on off switch unless you are changing batteries, lenses or memory cards. The camera will go to sleep after a short period of time of non-use and you wake it up by depressing the shutter button half way. It doesn't use any more battery power letting it sleep than it does shutting it off.

[Tom]

Hm,

I need to re-read the owners manual. I thought I recalled it saying that leaving the switch on would significantly reduce battery life. In fact, IIRC it suggested removing the battery for any extended period of non-use. Back to the manual ....

[seilerbird]

I never shut mine off and I get great battery life.

[tvman44]

Out of warranty is expensive, had a problem with a Cannon for DW and decided to chuck it and buy a new camera for a few dollars more.  Their warranty service is great.

[Tom]

Maybe I should return the Canon and get the Nikon    I bought this camera based on the rave comments about Canon, but now I'm wondering if that was a mistake.

[seilerbird]

It is not a mistake. Both companies make great cameras.

[Tom]

IIRC the Nikon was less expensive, but I need to return to the store to compare apples with apples. I also need to start my research over.

[Tom]

I thought I recalled it saying that leaving the switch on would significantly reduce battery life.

Just re-read the manual; My recollection was correct. However, the manual also says that a power saving feature kicks in should the power switch be left in the 'On' state. Looks like I can just leave it turned on.

[Jim Dick]

Tom,

I own two Canon DSLR's. I have the Digital Rebel and the 40D. I sent the 40D back for calibration at no cost. They were very quick on the turnaround. I can't really say what the quality comparison is compared to Nikon. I have gotten many great shots with mine and Chet has gotten many great shots with his Nikon. One thing to think about is what do you see at all the sports games? Many, if not most, of the cameras are using the Canon L-series lenses. That tells me they are most likely using a Canon body as well. Canon L-series lenses are an off white.

Attached is a photo of an F4 passing in review at about 300mph. Result speaks for itself.

[Tom]

Thanks Jim. Great photo!

[seilerbird]

Canon is the best selling camera in the world. They outsell Nikon by over two to one. There are many reasons why. The main reason why they do so well in the professional world, like the cameras at football games, is because they have a selection of lenses that no other manufacturer can touch. Either with selection or quality.

[Jim Dick]

Thanks Jim. Great photo!

Tom,

I forgot to mention that was taken with the Canon 100-400 IS L-lens. Camera was on the sports setting which provides constant focusing.

[Tom]

I forgot to mention that was taken with the Canon 100-400 IS L-lens.

Ah, that must be the lens I saw you using to get the eagle shot at the wildlife park near TGO. The difference between your results and mine that day were like night and day.

Camera was on the sports setting which provides constant focusing.

While watching the Canon DVD I saw that it had this 'constant focusing' capability. The demo showed a photo being taken of a sprinter. I need to go back and re-review that, then go take some "action" shots.

[Bob Buchanan]

Maybe I should return the Canon and get the Nikon    I bought this camera based on the rave comments about Canon, but now I'm wondering if that was a mistake.

Sounds as though a bit of "buyer's remorse" setting in, Tom.  The good news is that if you keep what you have or switch to Nikon, you will be pleased either way. It's like returning a BMW for a Porsche.  

I recall my dilemma between Nikon and Canon several years back. It was a tough call at the time. My research started at QZ. One of Bernie's good friends let me use his Nikon for a day or so -- then Ron M. let me handle his Rebel for a day or so. I was able to take various photos and look at them side by side, plus get the look and feel of each. Unfortunately, I came away from the experience still undecided. The good news was that I loved them both -- and the only differences were little things, such as I liked the overall size of the Nikon better (it was larger). It also had an LCD window on top vs. only on the back of the Rebel (the larger size allowed that).

SO -- when returning to NCal, I did what I did back in the days of my semi pro work in San Francisco. I started visiting the Pro shops that I had worked with for many years. That is were I got the best advice on cameras, lenses, dark room, lighting, and most every thing else I found myself wondering about. The guys and gals behind the counters were pros, and the folk milling around were pros -- for the most part.

The ultimate pro store in San Francisco is Adoph Gasser's on Mission. Actually, it's just the ultimate store for anything dealing with photographic art. They also rent most anything you might be considering purchasing. Was not able to get to SF after returning from QZ, but was able to get to Pardees Camera (El Camino & Watt Ave). Pardees is where most pros in Sacto hang out and do business -- and there are always a few on board that love to chat with customers. At that store, Canon was hands down the favorite of the pros. Here's Gasser's website:

http://www.gassers.com/index.html

OTOH, in Roseville, Action Photo on Sunrise is the store the pros hang out. Unfortunately for me, the owner is a devout Nikon guy. To him, Nikon is the best because it is a Nikon. The good news is, if you visit you will get the best in an orientation to the Nikon. I actually made my last purchase there -- of a Canon lens.

Anyway, I finally purchased a Canon Rebel XT at Pardees (I now also have a Canon 50D. If I recall, they did sell about 2 to 1 over Nikon to the area pros. I also paid more than if I had purchased at Sam's or Costco - and that was OK because of the followup service and especially the answers to followup technical questions about the use of the XT. And I had a lot of questions.  

The only warranty thing was that there was dust on the sensor that I noticed when looking closely at several test shots. They normally charged to clean a sensor whereas mine was done free even tho out of the store warranty. That's another advantage of buying at a pro shop vs. a discount store.

BTW, I am also a fan of the dpreview website -- not only unbiased reviews, but also their Side by Side comparisons. If you haven't checked it out you may want to try looking at the features of your current XSi vs. others you may be considering.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/sidebyside.asp

And one final thought. The Panasonic cameras that Jerry, you, and others have purchased are "not" point and shoot cameras any more than and dSLR camera is a point and shoot camera. They both can be placed in a full auto mode to make them "act" like point and shoot cameras. They all have shutter, aperture priority modes - plus the all important manual mode. So as far as learning the basics of photography, both are highly rated and excellent. dSLR's give you through the lens viewing plus multiple lens capability - but are not much more effective in teaching the basics of good photography. None of my medium format film cameras had any automation whatsoever, so all where essentially in manual mode all the time. When Ansel was alive and teaching, the hand held One Degree Spot Meter was the only tool to decide exposure. In my film days, my spot and flash meters were my most important pieces of equipment.

The camera is less imortant than the skill of the photographer. Note the camera used in THESE images. Not contest winners, but certainly - OK.

[seilerbird]

I need to go back and re-review that, then go take some "action" shots.

Canon's have three different focusing modes. One shot, AI Servo and AI Focus. One shot is for stationary objects, AI Servo is for objects in motion and AI Focus switches automatically between the first two modes, but it is basically worthless since it doesn't switch fast enough. AI Servo uses Canon's predictive focusing which after a few shots are taken in the burst mode can actually predict the focus for the nest shot.
 
Here is an amazing series of shots in burst mode showing off the predictive focus. There has been absolutely no post processing to these shots. They would be sharper if I were to sharpen them. Notice the focus on the macaw is dead on in every shot. It is not from being at a small aperture either. Notice the canyon wall in the background gets more and more out of focus as the bird approaches.

Macaw flying

[Tom]

Sounds as though a bit of "buyer's remorse" setting in, Tom.

Hadn't though of it that way, but you may well be right Bob, even if it is subconscious. OTOH I was a little surprised, maybe even disappointed, having based my buying decision on all the hype comments about Canon being superior and having superior "glass", and then reading that Nikon really isn't that bad.

The good news is that if you keep what you have or switch to Nikon, you will be pleased either way.

Thanks, that's what I'm taking away from all the discussion.

I liked the overall size of the Nikon better (it was larger). It also had an LCD window on top vs. only on the back of the Rebel

I recall you mentioning the top-mount LCD last time I was at QZ. For some reason, I thought I remembered seeing the LCD on top of your then-current camera, or maybe assumed it was there. Since you have a Canon, I must have been mistaken. One nice thing about the XSi is that large LCD, albeit on the rear.

Thanks for the stories and the links. I rarely get to San Francisco nowadays, but I may decide to stop at Action Photo in Roseville next time we head up to Nevada City.

The Panasonic cameras that Jerry, you, and others have purchased are "not" point and shoot cameras any more than and dSLR camera is a point and shoot camera.

Understood, and I really should be calling them "non-detachable lens" cameras.

When Ansel was alive and teaching, the hand held One Degree Spot Meter was the only tool to decide exposure.

That's all my Dad used in both his amateur and semi-pro photography. I often wish I'd taken lessons from him.

The camera is less imortant than the skill of the photographer.

Understood, and I've recognized that for a long time. I'm just hoping to be able to step up a rung or two on the learning ladder by being forced to learn how to fully use the XSi. I suppose I could do that by re-learning on the Panasonic.

[Tom]

... AI Servo is for objects in motion ...

AI Servo is what I was thinking of in an earlier message, but couldn't remember the correct name. That is an amazing series of shots, thanks for sharing.

[seilerbird]

AI Servo is what I was thinking of in an earlier message, but couldn't remember the correct name. That is an amazing series of shots, thanks for sharing.

Thanks, Tom. Yes, AI Servo is hard to remember because it is a dumb name. I use a special technique called back button focusing. Rather than push the shutter half way down to focus I push a button on the back of the camera (*) with my thumb to set the focus. So it takes two button pushes for me to take a photo. That probably sounds dumb to a beginner (and it is not a technique I recommend for a beginner), it really makes all the sense in the world. If you push the star button and release it you are in One shot mode, push it down and hold it down and you are in AI Servo. This allows you to switch modes effortlessly without taking your eye off the view finder. There are a lot of other benefits, mainly you get a lot more in focus shots this way if you take a lot of photos. It takes a week or two to get used to using a finger and a thumb to take a photo, but it is worth it if you do a lot of shooting.

[BernieD]

Tom

Doesn't Costco's 2 year concierge warranty apply to cameras also?

I didn't read the article but the Nov issue of PC World ranks the Nikon slightly above the Canon and a best buy because of the lower price. No judgment, just reporting the review.

Bob, I wouldn't compare the Nikon vs Canon to BMW vs Porsche. Big differences between the two cars and geared to different markets. Only thing in common is that they are both expensive German cars. But I'd take a Porsche any day, not so a BMW.

[Tom]

Bernie,

Unlike other stuff I've bought at Costco, there was no concierge label or paperwork attached to the camera or its packaging. IIRC the same applied to all the cameras in that store.

FWIW I've only tried to use the concierge service once, for a printer I'd purchased for a neighbor. I spent 20-30 minutes listening to someone tell me that, not only has Costco never sold the printer, the manufacturer has never made that model. All the time, I'm sitting there looking at the model number clearly on the printer and on the Costco purchase receipt. I thanked the lady and let her know how useless the service was. I bought a replacement printer; It was easier than trying to deal with the concierge service.

...the Nov issue of PC World ranks the Nikon slightly above the Canon...

Wash your keyboard out! You know I bought the best brand 

[Jim Dick]

Tom,

Yes, that's the lens. BTW, you do know about cropping, don't you? You could have shown just the lens!!!

[Tom]

Doesn't Costco's 2 year concierge warranty apply to cameras also?

This page on their web site suggests the concierge service is available for cameras.

[Tom]

LOL Jim, then the best part of the shot would be missing from the picture  

BTW it looks like that lens has some kind of integral foot to provide support 

[Bob Buchanan]

Bob, I wouldn't compare the Nikon vs Canon to BMW vs Porsche. Big differences between the two cars and geared to different markets. Only thing in common is that they are both expensive German cars. But I'd take a Porsche any day, not so a BMW.

I would too, unless the Porsche was a 1966. I "did" buy a new red '65 SC with chrome luggage rack for $5500 out the door.  

How about if I change the analogy to a Porsche Boxter vs. a Mercedes SLK? OR, generally, BMW vs. Mercedes?

From your observation tho, it appears you understood my meaning and what I was trying to explain -- in that either way, you would be a happy camper.

[Jim Dick]

LOL Jim, then the best part of the shot would be missing from the picture   

BTW it looks like that lens has some kind of integral foot to provide support 

We'll have to disagree on that one. :-) Yes, there is a support on the lens for a tripod. The lens weighs too much to mount the camera on the tripod.

[Hfx_Cdn]

     Tom, am I ever pleased that you started these strings, and that you are doing all this research just for me    All I can say is that unlike you who seems to be having a bit of "buyer's remorse" I'm suffering from from "total indecision".  Every time I think that we've got this figured out, another curve ball is thrown at me.  I had virtually decided that the Costco Nikon 2 lense deal was the way I was going, even though the Nikon warrantee is not honoured in Canada, when Donna & I went to a camera store to take a good look at it.  While there, the salesman suggested that we look at the D3000 with an 18-130 VR lense.  That way we don't need to carry 2 lenses, and it will serve over 90% of our needs.
     I guess I'll just dig out my old 35 mm camera, as long as I don't try to find any kodachrome film I should be ok.

Ed

[Tom]

LOL Ed, I went through the indecision phase for several years.

One possible consideration with a 1-lens solution might be that it's bigger and heavier than the smaller lens in a 2-lens solution, but I suppose it depends on which lens would normally be on the camera. OTOH with the 1-lens solution, there would be no lens swapping required and no extra lens to carry around.

Some of this played into my earlier decision to buy the Panasonic FZ7 with a 12X 36-432mm lens. That camera is smaller and lighter than any DSLR I've seen and, as Bob pointed out, it has a number of the same features.

Now why did I buy a DSLR?  

the Nikon warrantee is not honoured in Canada

What about the Canon warranty?

[BernieD]

Wash your keyboard out! You know I bought the best brand 

Tom

I know, I like our Canon too. The Nikon took best buy primarily on the lower price not necessarily better. I thought long and hard before posting that but since you were showing buyer's remorse and talking about switching to the Nikon, I thought I'd throw that in

[Pierat]

Canon is a great choice. Both Canon and Nikon make excellent DSLR products. Canon sells lots more units, perhaps for good reasons. In any case, IMHO it is unlikely that things will start falling off of your camera the day after the warranty expires, but I guess it could happen. Nothing has fallen off of my Canon 10D in over 60,000 shutter actuations. Not near that on the 50D yet, but it's doing great. Why not have fun, go shoot the photos that you bought it to take, and don't worry unless stuff actually happens?! Good shooting!

[Tom]

Why not have fun, go shoot the photos that you bought it to take...

Thanks. That's the plan, although we haven't been able to go anywhere since I bought the camera - had house guests all week/weekend, then expected contractors to turn up.

[Pierat]

Yeah, never really enough time to make photographs here, either. Sometimes I do pester visitors by taking their photos, though, or shooting whatever process is going on at the time -- happy snaps, I call them. Even if I do go out and photograph a planned photography project, I often don't have enough time for the post-processing, which I enjoy a lot less. Anyway, enjoy that new camera!