Canon Service

Steven Digges · November 11th, 2004, 12:11 PM

Jeff,
Thank you for the reminder about the XL1 Club. I dug out the card I had in a file since 1999 and called the 800#. I now have a priority code to get the Camera serviced in 5 business days. I had forgotten club membership was good for something. You gotta love Canon.

Steve

Jeff Donald · November 11th, 2004, 12:12 PM

I think it may have similar benefits, at least cost wise, shipping etc. I doubt they have a loaner policy though. Give the club number a call and see what they say.

Steven Digges · November 11th, 2004, 12:28 PM

Also, I have read someplace that the New Jersey center was charging less for service than the California center. I asked the Canon rep if this was true and she said that was impossible.

Steve

Don Warren · December 6th, 2004, 02:09 PM

beware sending camera to have serviced by canon,sent to have cleaned and serviced,e-mail came back with a bill of 450+ saying that the case where mike attached was broken and that the case had to be replaced??????the piece was about a 1/2 long and no way affected anything including the mike.told them to just clean it,they said about 95.oo.ok.i then get another call later saying the camera was extremely dirty and it would be about 245.???????was encouraged to pay the 450 instead.sorry canon bad business,told them to return it.anybody want to buy a 2000 xl1?

Don Palomaki · December 7th, 2004, 06:32 PM

OK, so how dirty was it? How long since the previous service/cleaning? How many run-time hours? In what environments was it used? Where there problem that caused you to send it in for cleaning? How did the case break?

Sounds like Canon wanted to restore the camcorder to factory spec condition, and thereby avoid the alternative complaint that they did not fully service the machine.

Don Warren · December 8th, 2004, 07:05 PM

some where my point was lost ,i sent the camera for a service clean and check,as reccomended by the watchdog site,just a clean and service.the camera worked fine when it left here,NO problems.i get an e-mail sying the bill was 458+.reason they wanted to replace the case???why a piece of the plastic ring that holds the mike in place was broken off.1/4x 3/8.it did not affect anything not even the mike.it still worked in any position.again all i wanted was a service and clean.so i called back,we talked and i told him what i sent it there for.he said ok,that would be about 95.fine.15 min later i get another call saying it was worse than they thought,it was extremely dirty and would cost about 245.no thanks.im sure with your reasoning that canon would love to refurbish the whole thing along with a bill that would buy another one one bay.ive worked the service repair business and this is status quo.i dont have deep pockets.sorry if you think im wrong.Don

Nic Maguire · July 18th, 2006, 09:52 PM

As mentioned before in other posts i use the XL1S in mainly dusty and dry conditions and sometimes in wet weather where there is some mud so would anyone recommend how many hours of use before u either have to run a cleaning tape thru it or put it in for a clean and service?.

I've been told by other MX cameraman they do every during their off season but i film mainly year round with breaks of only about 4 to 6 weeks at most?.

After each meeting i do clean and blow out the external body etc where dust can get in does anyone have any basic cleaning regimes they follow after use in such conditions or climate?.

Any advice is greatly appreciated with thanks for this Newbie:).

Don Palomaki · July 19th, 2006, 04:49 AM

For normal use, head cleaning tape only when there are indications of a head clog, and an annual service by Canon - that normally takes about 1-2 week turnaround. However, if used in adverse conditions, more often may be necessary. You will have to judge based on your field use.

Some folks have put masking or gaffer tape around the tape loading door to reduce the possibility of dust entering when in the field and go to a cleaner location to change tapes.

Nic Maguire · July 19th, 2006, 05:29 AM

Thank you for the advice Don much appreciated particuarly that last tip i will try that this weekend whilst filming.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Don Palomaki

For normal use, head cleaning tape only when there are indications of a head clog, and an annual service by Canon - that normally takes about 1-2 week turnaround. However, is used in adverse conditions, more often may be necessary. You will have to judge based on your field use.

Some folks have put maskign or gaffer tape around the tape loading door to reduce the possibility of dust entering when in the field and go to a cleaner location to change tapes.

October 3rd, 2006, 08:56 AM

i have had my XL1 since Feb. 1998 i dont use ity that much since i also have a Sony DSR-D35. I must say i am happy with the Xl1 even though it has its Quirks.
Recvently however I have been having some problems.

First- The Power Wheel which determines what shooting mode one uses is no longer accurate. For instance when I go to Green Box mode, the viewfinder displays TV60 and so on. The only setting which is accurate is Manual, which is OK because its all i use. I can live with this problem

Second- I can only access the menu using the remote. If I push the menu button the camera will momentarily shut down. Release the menubutton and it turns on again. If I use the remote to go into the menue it works fine. I can live with this problem also.

Third- I recently shot some footage of sailboats, about 40min. ( during which I burned the viewfinder a little) when I got back and looked at the footage (which looked fine while I was shooting) I noticed that I had sections of footage which had odd bands running through it. then sections of black lasting about 10sec. where the timecode would go back to zero. I am hoping this is just dirty heads. I sdon't know hjow to add a Jpg. of this or I would.

Any comments?

Also any comments about which Canon Service Center is better East Coast
or West Coast

Don Palomaki · October 3rd, 2006, 07:26 PM

Sure sounds like very dirty heads. New Jersey is closer to RI, so you might save a wee bit of time/shipping.

Andrew Dryden · November 20th, 2006, 07:34 PM

Hi all. I'm a newbie on the list and have really enjoyed reading the archives. I have an XL1 that I have been using to shoot outdoors in Honduras. Recently I have been getting a head cleaning needed notice in the viewfinder as well as horizontal bars in playback etc. I have ran a head cleaning tape through it and it sometimes fixes the problems but sometimes not. If I record for a half hour with no fragmenting does that mean it is fixed? If I choose to send it in for cleaning and alignment how much should I pay? There is a local place that can clean it for roughly 65 dollars that works on XL1s' but is obviously not certified by Canon...have people used third party cleaners?? Any info would be helpful. Thanks,
Andrew

Lorinda Norton · November 20th, 2006, 10:23 PM

Hi Andrew,

Can't answer your question about whether or not you "fixed" your camera with the cleaner tape--you're pretty much taking your chances that it won't act up when you need it most.

I've always sent my cameras to Canon Service in Irvine, CA. For a basic cleaning and checkup it has cost $252.00. Canon would send you an estimate that you must approve before they do any work on your camera.

Ken Diewert · November 21st, 2006, 03:24 PM

Andrew,

The cleaning tapes should only really be used in an emergency. Like if a terrorist has a gun to your head and says 'put the cleaning tape in, or die'. Even then only run it for 10 seconds. It's kind of like sandpaper.

You say your 'local place' is 'obviously not certified by Canon'. It makes it sound like it's pretty low end. Because you were shooting outdoors in Honduras, you may have picked up some foreign substance (literally and figuratively) in your tape compartment. At this point, if you can't find a REPUTABLE service depot within driving distance, I'd certainly send it in to Canon. I'm pretty sure Canon doesn't actually have authorized service depots anymore, but a head cleaning is pretty basic stuff. However, being that it's an XL1, it probably is older and could use a factory service.

Just my 2 cents

Chris Hurd · November 22nd, 2006, 12:00 AM

In the United States, Canon has two factory service centers for their camcorders:

Canon Factory Service
Attn: Video Service
100 Jamesburg Road
Jamesburg, NJ 08831
tel: 732-521-7007

Canon USA
Attn: Video Service
15955 Alton Parkway
Irvine, CA 92618-3616
tel: 949-753-4200

See http://www.dvinfo.net/canon/skinny.php#service

November 11th, 2004, 12:11 PM	#106
Steven Digges Trustee Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 1,828	Jeff, Thank you for the reminder about the XL1 Club. I dug out the card I had in a file since 1999 and called the 800#. I now have a priority code to get the Camera serviced in 5 business days. I had forgotten club membership was good for something. You gotta love Canon. Steve __________________ www.CorporateShow.com Been at this so long I'm rounding my years of experience down...not up!

November 11th, 2004, 12:12 PM	#107
Jeff Donald Warden Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 8,287	I think it may have similar benefits, at least cost wise, shipping etc. I doubt they have a loaner policy though. Give the club number a call and see what they say. __________________ Jeff Donald Carpe Diem Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Where to Buy? From the best in the business: DVinfo.net sponsors

November 11th, 2004, 12:28 PM	#108
Steven Digges Trustee Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 1,828	Also, I have read someplace that the New Jersey center was charging less for service than the California center. I asked the Canon rep if this was true and she said that was impossible. Steve __________________ www.CorporateShow.com Been at this so long I'm rounding my years of experience down...not up!

December 6th, 2004, 02:09 PM	#109
Don Warren New Boot Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: edgewater,Md Posts: 5	canon service center beware sending camera to have serviced by canon,sent to have cleaned and serviced,e-mail came back with a bill of 450+ saying that the case where mike attached was broken and that the case had to be replaced??????the piece was about a 1/2 long and no way affected anything including the mike.told them to just clean it,they said about 95.oo.ok.i then get another call later saying the camera was extremely dirty and it would be about 245.???????was encouraged to pay the 450 instead.sorry canon bad business,told them to return it.anybody want to buy a 2000 xl1? __________________ dwarren

December 7th, 2004, 06:32 PM	#110
Don Palomaki Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Northern VA Posts: 4,488	OK, so how dirty was it? How long since the previous service/cleaning? How many run-time hours? In what environments was it used? Where there problem that caused you to send it in for cleaning? How did the case break? Sounds like Canon wanted to restore the camcorder to factory spec condition, and thereby avoid the alternative complaint that they did not fully service the machine. __________________ dpalomaki@dspalomaki.com

December 8th, 2004, 07:05 PM	#111
Don Warren New Boot Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: edgewater,Md Posts: 5	canon service center some where my point was lost ,i sent the camera for a service clean and check,as reccomended by the watchdog site,just a clean and service.the camera worked fine when it left here,NO problems.i get an e-mail sying the bill was 458+.reason they wanted to replace the case???why a piece of the plastic ring that holds the mike in place was broken off.1/4x 3/8.it did not affect anything not even the mike.it still worked in any position.again all i wanted was a service and clean.so i called back,we talked and i told him what i sent it there for.he said ok,that would be about 95.fine.15 min later i get another call saying it was worse than they thought,it was extremely dirty and would cost about 245.no thanks.im sure with your reasoning that canon would love to refurbish the whole thing along with a bill that would buy another one one bay.ive worked the service repair business and this is status quo.i dont have deep pockets.sorry if you think im wrong.Don __________________ dwarren

July 18th, 2006, 09:52 PM	#112
Nic Maguire New Boot Join Date: May 2006 Location: Australia Posts: 24	Best time to service the XL 1S? As mentioned before in other posts i use the XL1S in mainly dusty and dry conditions and sometimes in wet weather where there is some mud so would anyone recommend how many hours of use before u either have to run a cleaning tape thru it or put it in for a clean and service?. I've been told by other MX cameraman they do every during their off season but i film mainly year round with breaks of only about 4 to 6 weeks at most?. After each meeting i do clean and blow out the external body etc where dust can get in does anyone have any basic cleaning regimes they follow after use in such conditions or climate?. Any advice is greatly appreciated with thanks for this Newbie:).

July 19th, 2006, 04:49 AM	#113
Don Palomaki Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Northern VA Posts: 4,488	For normal use, head cleaning tape only when there are indications of a head clog, and an annual service by Canon - that normally takes about 1-2 week turnaround. However, if used in adverse conditions, more often may be necessary. You will have to judge based on your field use. Some folks have put masking or gaffer tape around the tape loading door to reduce the possibility of dust entering when in the field and go to a cleaner location to change tapes. __________________ dpalomaki@dspalomaki.com

October 3rd, 2006, 08:56 AM	#115
John Mahoney Posts: n/a	service Issues i have had my XL1 since Feb. 1998 i dont use ity that much since i also have a Sony DSR-D35. I must say i am happy with the Xl1 even though it has its Quirks. Recvently however I have been having some problems. First- The Power Wheel which determines what shooting mode one uses is no longer accurate. For instance when I go to Green Box mode, the viewfinder displays TV60 and so on. The only setting which is accurate is Manual, which is OK because its all i use. I can live with this problem Second- I can only access the menu using the remote. If I push the menu button the camera will momentarily shut down. Release the menubutton and it turns on again. If I use the remote to go into the menue it works fine. I can live with this problem also. Third- I recently shot some footage of sailboats, about 40min. ( during which I burned the viewfinder a little) when I got back and looked at the footage (which looked fine while I was shooting) I noticed that I had sections of footage which had odd bands running through it. then sections of black lasting about 10sec. where the timecode would go back to zero. I am hoping this is just dirty heads. I sdon't know hjow to add a Jpg. of this or I would. Any comments? Also any comments about which Canon Service Center is better East Coast or West Coast

October 3rd, 2006, 07:26 PM	#116
Don Palomaki Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Northern VA Posts: 4,488	Sure sounds like very dirty heads. New Jersey is closer to RI, so you might save a wee bit of time/shipping. __________________ dpalomaki@dspalomaki.com

November 20th, 2006, 07:34 PM	#117
Andrew Dryden Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 56	Head Cleaning Cost and Location?? Hi all. I'm a newbie on the list and have really enjoyed reading the archives. I have an XL1 that I have been using to shoot outdoors in Honduras. Recently I have been getting a head cleaning needed notice in the viewfinder as well as horizontal bars in playback etc. I have ran a head cleaning tape through it and it sometimes fixes the problems but sometimes not. If I record for a half hour with no fragmenting does that mean it is fixed? If I choose to send it in for cleaning and alignment how much should I pay? There is a local place that can clean it for roughly 65 dollars that works on XL1s' but is obviously not certified by Canon...have people used third party cleaners?? Any info would be helpful. Thanks, Andrew

November 20th, 2006, 10:23 PM	#118
Lorinda Norton Wrangler Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Southwest Idaho, USA Posts: 3,066	Hi Andrew, Can't answer your question about whether or not you "fixed" your camera with the cleaner tape--you're pretty much taking your chances that it won't act up when you need it most. I've always sent my cameras to Canon Service in Irvine, CA. For a basic cleaning and checkup it has cost $252.00. Canon would send you an estimate that you must approve before they do any work on your camera. __________________ Lorinda

November 21st, 2006, 03:24 PM	#119
Ken Diewert Trustee Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Vancouver Island, Canada Posts: 1,200	Andrew, The cleaning tapes should only really be used in an emergency. Like if a terrorist has a gun to your head and says 'put the cleaning tape in, or die'. Even then only run it for 10 seconds. It's kind of like sandpaper. You say your 'local place' is 'obviously not certified by Canon'. It makes it sound like it's pretty low end. Because you were shooting outdoors in Honduras, you may have picked up some foreign substance (literally and figuratively) in your tape compartment. At this point, if you can't find a REPUTABLE service depot within driving distance, I'd certainly send it in to Canon. I'm pretty sure Canon doesn't actually have authorized service depots anymore, but a head cleaning is pretty basic stuff. However, being that it's an XL1, it probably is older and could use a factory service. Just my 2 cents __________________ C100, 5DMk2, FCPX

November 22nd, 2006, 12:00 AM	#120
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,368 Images: 513	In the United States, Canon has two factory service centers for their camcorders: Canon Factory Service Attn: Video Service 100 Jamesburg Road Jamesburg, NJ 08831 tel: 732-521-7007 Canon USA Attn: Video Service 15955 Alton Parkway Irvine, CA 92618-3616 tel: 949-753-4200 See http://www.dvinfo.net/canon/skinny.php#service __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!