Does anyone here know how to obtain a service manual for a Canon GL2? I have tried the corporate offices in New York and the repair/parts facility in New Jersey (4 different departments). All of them refused to sell me the manual.

I have managed to purchase service manuals for every piece of pro video equipment that I have owned over the past 20 or more years and they have come in handy several times. Now that I am considering the purchase of a second GL2, I want that manual.

The GL2 has been my first experience with Canon video products and, even though the output of the camera is excellent, their refusal to allow me to purchase the manual, makes me wish I had stayed with Panasonic.

Thanks for your help.

John

No. To my knowledge Canon only permits authorized service personnel to acquire such manuals. Looks like you'll have to go back to Panasonic.

Just curious: why are you so insistent on having such a manual?

Ken:

I tend to keep my pro line video equipment till it is junk. I try to buy good stuff and get lots of years of service out of it. That being the case, I often find that I can not get things repaired when they do break because the repair shops have stopped supporting a particluar item. I have found that if I have a manual I can get a quality technician to work on equimpent that he normally would not.

The service manual quite often contains operating methods that are not covered in the operating manuals too.

When ever a company refuses to sell service manuals I automatically wonder what they have to hide. This applies to every thing.

John

I often find that I can not get things repaired when they do break because the repair shops have stopped supporting a particluar item.There are two (and only two) authorized Canon factory service centers, one in Jamesburg, NJ and the other in Irvine, CA. They will repair any camcorder up to seven years past the date it was discontinued. After that, you should probably consider upgrading to whatever format is current seven years from now!

Thank you Chris.

BUT, I am not looking for the locations of Canon service centers. I want to obtain a service/repair manual for the GL2.

John

Hi John,

As Ken mentions above, those manuals will be next to impossible to obtain. I pointed out the service centers as a resource for you in case your Canon camcorders are ever in need of repair. I'm sorry we can't be of any more assistance to you. Best wishes,

When was the GL1 discontinued? Just curious about when I'll need to to replace the GL1's I use for wedding videos. I won't want to use them when service is no longer available.