I'm looking at making repairs to my XTI. The mirror broke while on vacation in Kehei Maui 2 weeks ago. Canon said it they will not cover on warranty even though the camera is only 9 months old. So...I plan to make the repair myself. Cost of the new mirror is only $17.00 from Canon. Does anyone know how hard it is to repair/replace, or have instructions on how to do so? I've tried selling or trading the camera for another... but nobody is interested.


Thanks!
Billy
www.BigDphoto.com

Hi Billy, Sorry to hear about the mirror on your XTI and what a shame it happened in Kehei. Several of my photography friends have had the hinge that operates the mirror break from their original XT and XTI's. This is probably what happened to yours. Not sure how hard this would be to repair yourself. Did Canon give you a reason for not covering it under warranty at nine months?

Grant

Personally, I'd pay the $200 to have Canon fix it.

It's probably quite possible to fix it yourself if you know what you're doing, but it sounds like you don't. There are some steps during the disassembly and reassembly where it's pretty easy to break stuff. In particular, there is one ribbon cable that is very easy to damage. A few people have blown fuses on the circuit boards, resulting in a dead camera.

I think I'm gonna go ahead and pay to have it fixed..too many worries about making it worse.

The mirror actually cracked and a piece of glass fell out while taking photos. I never heard anything except a hard click, then the next shot there was part of the image missing in the viewfinder. I removed the lens and saw the glass was broken and missing a piece. Canon said if that happened inside of a year, it must have been misuse of the camera, and said they could not cover it under warranty. I was a little upset..but I didn't want to argue.

Thanks for the help!

I would suggest you contact Canon again, and speak to a supervisor. If they continue to tell you it was misuse, make them put it in writing, then file a complaint. Do argue, pleasantly, nicely, firmly--this is pretty unacceptable for a camera under a year old.

Don't give up so easily. 5D's have been known to loose their mirror, and AFAIK, Canon's been fixing those gratis even after the warranty period.

I tried again as suggested...talked with a supervisor. They told me that it would be up to me to prove that there was a defect in the camera's mirror in order for it to be covered under warranty. If I could not do that, then they could repair at standard repair rates/cost. Think I have about had it with Canon Service!!!!! I'm taking it to a local camera shop on Monday to have it repaired. Then I'll probably sell it just to be rid of the problem!

Better question is how can they prove it was your fault? I dont really dont see u throwing a rock inside of the camera to purposely break the mirror, just to have Canon fix it. "Sticking it to the man" wouldn't make sense.

Canon service has really gone to hell lately. I've had two issues this year, one very major and one minor, but never in past years. Someone there really needs to wake up and pay attention to what they're doing to their customers.

It is up to them to prove it was your fault. It is not up to you to prove it was defective. Why are you rolling over. They deny you so you will go away which is what you did. Call them back and ask them for the name and address of thier attorney so they can explain in court the fact that they are refusing to honor a warranty. Sure it is quicker and easier to do it yourself that is what they are counting on. If we as product purchasers (all products not just cameras) do this thencompanies will hold up there end if they know we will not go away just because we were wrongfully denied.
Paying for the repair yourself is the same as giving your money away.
Write a letter of complaint to the President/CEO of Canon outllining what happened. This individual knows that the Canon customers need to be happy customers Send the letter certified so someone will have to sign for it. Write a follow up letter if you do not hear from them reminding them of the situation and the fact that this is your second letter. Also state the first letter was sent certified so that they know that you know they received they first letter.
Stick to your guns!

jebrown wrote:
It is up to them to prove it was your fault. It is not up to you to prove it was defective. Why are you rolling over. They deny you so you will go away which is what you did. Call them back and ask them for the name and address of thier attorney so they can explain in court the fact that they are refusing to honor a warranty. Sure it is quicker and easier to do it yourself that is what they are counting on. If we as product purchasers (all products not just cameras) do this thencompanies will hold up there end if they know we will not go away just because we were wrongfully denied.
Paying for the repair yourself is the same as giving your money away.
Write a letter of complaint to the President/CEO of Canon outllining what happened. This individual knows that the Canon customers need to be happy customers Send the letter certified so someone will have to sign for it. Write a follow up letter if you do not hear from them reminding them of the situation and the fact that this is your second letter. Also state the first letter was sent certified so that they know that you know they received they first letter.
Stick to your guns!

Yep.