which service centre...

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Nancy
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I need to get my 550d body and 100 - 400 canon lens serviced so have been calling around various places, including the ones recommended on here to get quotes.

Basically I want them checked and cleaned as they've been used for 3 months in a very humid environment. I'm also slightly concerned about the 100 - 400 as it's a bit sluggish on AF and struggles to focus sometimes when using the central AF point. It may be user error or a quirk of the lens but I'd like it checked anyway.

So I tried fixation, lehmann and the canon service place at elstree. The prices they quoted me were:

Fixation - £60 minimum for the body sensor clean and checking, but possibly more depending on what they find. lens £140 depending on what they find.

Lehmann - £162 for the body and £162 for the lens. Includes all but major parts (not sure what constitutes major but...) with 6 month guarantee.

Elstree - £80 for the camera body and £65 for the lens. They didn't specify a guarantee but I would assume there is one as it's canon.

So there are some fair differences in price and now I'm a bit stumped as to who to send it to. My gut instinct was to go for Elstree because it is the canon service centre, but i was hoping for some more feedback from people who've used these places. I don't particularly want to go for the cheapest just because it's cheap, but I also don't want to spend a fortune when I don't need to!

Any advice most welcome :)
 
I have had a lens serviced by Lehmanns.

My father has had work done by Fixation, Lehmann and Elstree.

1) Fixation. Successfully repaired common broken AF fault on 50 F1.4 USM. Repaired bearing problem with 100-400, but lens did not perform well afterward. Changed mount on 100-400, did not improve it. Failed to do anything with my 70-200.

2) Lehmann. Succesfully serviced my 70-200 F4L. Looked at 100-400 but could not find fault and returned FOC.

3) Elstree. Serviced 100-400 and restored performance to pre-bearing problem level.

Most pleased with Elstree, and Lehmann were ok but expensive. We aren't so keen on Fixation anymore.
 
My son & I have used Elstree and both been pleased with what they have done, both in terms of cost and speed.

Matt
 
Thanks very much - that was what I was leaning towards but hearing other people say they had a good service there makes me far more confident. I'm going to call them back just to check what their prices covered. They said if I sent a cheque with the camera it reduces the service time by 2 or 3 days so will probably do that too...

thanks again :)
 
I've no experience of Canon's service centre, but I'd go fixation every time. No issues and a very fast turnaround time.
 
Elstree did my mkIII and 400L and did a cracking job...it's now absolutely spot on for calibration.

Also repaired some problems with the mkIII as a freebie.

they get my :plusone:
 
I think I'm convinced! Not only is it the cheapest but it seems well recommended so I think I'll go for Elstree. I want to get some photos of the deer in the park this weekend so will try to send it off next week :)

I just double checked with Elstree and they said £80 for the body (check and service including sensor clean) and then £60 for the lens to clean and service it.
Their price includes no parts at all and calibration is an extra £60 for the body and £30 for the lens. I think I probably won't bother with calibration?
 
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