Canon Quality Control

[GerryNick2]

What has happened to Canon's Quality Controls?

Back end of last year I had to return my 100-400mm IS lens to be re-calibrated under warranty, received it back and now spot on for sharpness.

Purchased a Power Shot SX100 IS for my daughter to use on our recent holiday. Three days of use and we get a lens error message and cannot retract the lens or do anything with it. Went back for repair under warranty, received it back with a report 'No Fault Found'. Two days later same fault occured so on its way back to the repair centre yet again and less than 4 weeks old. Frankly I am not impressed and would urge anyone considering a Powershot to have a re-think.

Just to round up our holiday my 40D developed a similar problem and I got the dreaded ERR 99 message and no matter what I tried could not continue using the camera. Being less than 6 months old it went back to the Canon RCC for repair under warranty. Next thing is I get an email claiming the fault is due to liquid damage and therefore the warranty is void. Apparantly the shutter needs replacing and the cost will be £250.

I know its been a damp August and there may have been the odd spot of rain got on the camera but if this was sufficient to ruin the shutter then it does not say a lot for the build of the 40D.

Having been a Canon man for many years now, recent events have got me admiring the Nikon range of cameras.

Gerry

[glsammy]

Back luck Gerry.

I'm also having shutter problems with my 40D, it keeps on sticking. As I've also damaged my rear screen, having heard of your problems I doubt I'd get it done under warranty.
If I were you I'd argue against their decision as much as you possibly can. If your pretty certain it's not been out in anything worse than an odd drop of rain I can't see how that can ruin the shutter.

It certainly is annoying when it happens on three consecutive Canon items. I would be furious, especially at the poor service you've received.

[matt_xyz]

it sounds like you've been very unlucky Gerry. In recent years I've had 4 different Canon bodies, 2 Canon lenses, a flashgun and various other bits and pieces and have never had a minute's trouble from any of them. But perhaps I've been very lucky.

Matt

[LoveT]

Sorry to hear of your Canon problems .

I'm not sure it's just confined to Canon though - my Olympus E-3 had to be replaced a few months ago, and now my six month old Sigma 50-500mm has to go back to be looked at .

I am extremely careful with my kit and to have something like this happen is inconvenient to say the least - it seems to me that manufacturers now make and ship camera equipment in vast quantities with the expectation of a certain percentage needing to be replaced due to a defect of some sort, and this seems to be particularly the case with new models.

I hope you get it sorted - but you're not alone; you have my sympathy .

Thea

[Ollie]

Sorry to hear of your problems with the camera Gerry, and especially Canon saying the warrany is void. I would certainly press this matter further and even involve trading standards if neccesary.

I've probably been lucky like Matt but I have had several Canon compacts and am on my third DSLR body with no problems with any of them.
Roger

[Rob T]

Gerry I hope you luck changes soon,

A few drops of water has ruined your 40D shutter eh !

On Saturday whilst in the Forest I stamped on a small stream bank to see if it would take my weight to hop over, it didnt I sliped in, unfortunately it was as deep as my waist.

I fell forward and threw my hands on the opposite bank, great I thought Im ok although a bit damp, and I can ignore the roars of laughter coming from behind me.

I then noticed my 40D c/w 100-400L which were round my neck were now hanging completely under water. I eventually got my ballance and took it off my neck. It was probably totally emersed for 5-6 seconds in dark brown cold water.

After I dried it off it worked fine a bit of fog inside the filter, other than that both the camera and lense has been working fine all week.

I would very much doubt if a few drops of rain could do more damage so I would agree with Love T that mass production, and indeed poor quality controll is the reason and 'liquid' is one of many stock (you'll have to pay) excuses Canon trot out to boost their repair dpt. coffers.

This has happend to myself in the past so I know how frustrating it is.

Regards

Rob

[Blackbrook Eye]

As some of you may remember, I posted some time ago regarding the replacement of the shutter in my 40D, I eventually had the work done by an independent ' Canon approved ' repairer and it has been fine since then, touch wood. The cost of the replacement was almost £100. 00 less than the quote above, it will pay to ask around before commiting to anything with Canon.

Keith

[crockfordkat]

i had a problem with my 100-400mm under warranty the smooth / tighten ring stopped working so it bacame loose all the time,

phoned canon who gave me the london warranty centres address,

posted on tuesday got it back friday repaired!

theres a saying somewhere about a quickfit fitter

thats service for you,so it might depend on the service centre used.

keith

[Words]

Given that the instruction manual tells you to wipe the camera with a (well wrung) wet cloth if, for example, it's been exposed to salty air, I can't see that a drop of water could conceivably be a problem.

[glsammy]

Originally Posted by Blackbrook Eye

As some of you may remember, I posted some time ago regarding the replacement of the shutter in my 40D, I eventually had the work done by an independent ' Canon approved ' repairer and it has been fine since then, touch wood. The cost of the replacement was almost £100. 00 less than the quote above, it will pay to ask around before commiting to anything with Canon.

Keith

I'd like the address of your repairer Keith, just in case my shutter problem deteriorates any further. Can you send me the details by PM?