400 2.8 IS II so light but so fragile

Just an update on this in the UK. I contacted Canon UK and yes you can have a replacement hood at no cost but you have to send the "old" one back at your expense - so it's not exactly "free of charge". I explained that as I used the lens regularly I didn't want a period where there was no lens hood on it as the front element would be relatively unprotected. After some consultation they rang back and said no, they would not send the new hood out first - I have to send mine in and they will replace it by return.

Not the best customer service I've ever seen for professional equipment - I'll be enclosing an invoice for my postage expenses and we'll see what happens.
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Andy