I need to send my camera bodies in for general cleaning and services to the LA repair place. How long does it generally take and what's it cost these days to have a body cleaned? Is it worth it to join CPS?
i'm silver CPS member. You get guaranteed 3 day turnaround + shipping time on any cleans/repairs. For $100/yr that's not bad especially since you get two free cleanings a year - not to mention 30% discount on repairs if you need them.
Malux wrote:
i'm silver CPS member. You get guaranteed 3 day turnaround + shipping time on any cleans/repairs. For $100/yr that's not bad especially since you get two free cleanings a year - not to mention 30% discount on repairs if you need them.
Thanks. The gold does sound like a good deal. The 30% could potentially pay for the membership itself if I send in my fisheye for servicing. The Platinum is just to expensive for me. If I was still shooting full time, I could maybe see it.
Canon must be making pretty good money since turning CPS into a program. Would be interesting to see the numbers.
I got a question about the Gold/Platinum membership: Say I got a damaged lens and opt for the paid membership for the repair discount. How long before I can send in the lens for repair?
vsg28 wrote:
I got a question about the Gold/Platinum membership: Say I got a damaged lens and opt for the paid membership for the repair discount. How long before I can send in the lens for repair?
Your lens must be on the qualified gear list and be registered with serial # to your account. After that, you can send it in and be covered for discount. Items not eligible for CPS member account will not be repaired or cleaned as part of the CPS discounted program -- same as walk-in customer for non-registered non-CPS gear.
Don't know where you're located but if around Hollywood you can make an appt to drop it off at their new(ish) CPS service center on Sunset Bl. This particular service center is only for CPS Gold and Platinum members. They don't accept mail-ins but will mail back to you if you want. I dropped off a 50L for service, they completed the service the next day and then next day Fedexed it to me. Worked out pretty well.
Cleaning for bodies can be same day turn around. I live close enough to CPS Irvine, so I've had the pleasure of getting same day service several times.
Dis-assembly and cleaning of lenses takes far longer. Usually the maximum quoted 3 days.
I can certainly see sending a body for service, but for cleaning??
It's really easy to do, and you never know when you need to clean it "right now". Buy the materials and learn, much more convenient and lets you clean any time it's necessary.
Besides, The camera body chamber is not hermetically sealed. The repair center could clean the sensor spotless, but with the normal jostling of packaging and shipping dislodge a dust bunny or two so when you get it back you still have dust bunnies.
I can certainly see sending a body for service, but for cleaning??
It's really easy to do, and you never know when you need to clean it "right now". Buy the materials and learn, much more convenient and lets you clean any time it's necessary.
Besides, The camera body chamber is not hermetically sealed. The repair center could clean the sensor spotless, but with the normal jostling of packaging and shipping dislodge a dust bunny or two so when you get it back you still have dust bunnies.
