Should I get my BG-E2 grip repaired - unhappy with Australian service centre

Sorry if everyone has had enough with threads about the BG-E2. I did a bit of a search, but I would like some feedback. Here is my story ...

I have a BG-E2 with an 052XXX serial number. The only problem I have with my grip is that even with two fully charged batteries in the grip, the battery display on the cameras LCD indicates battery level is low (i.e. half the battery symbol is displayed - page 20 of the manual). I have never tried to use AA batteries in the grip, but as I have the old style carrier I doubt I will be able to use AA batteries. This hasn't caused me great concern, so I have never put a high priority on getting the grip fixed.

I live reasonably close to the Canon service center in Melbourne (Australia) and as I was passing today I thought I would enquire about getting the grip fixed. I was (overly) optimistic in thinking that they may be able to fix it while I waited, but thought I could live without the grip for a couple of weeks.

On entering the service center I was unimpressed by the attitude of the staff. When it was my turn, I explained that I had a battery grip for the 20D purchased in December 2004. I was informed that I would need to give them both my grip and my 20D for them to fix the problem. I was surprised as there was nothing on their website to indicate that this was a problem with the body ( http://www.canon.com.au/support/customer/default.asp?DXI=KnowledgeBase/Customer/KBArticleForm&File=KB01443&productID=eos20d )

I asked how long it would take for this fix and was told 3 weeks. I told them that I couldn't be without the camera for that long as it was my livelyhood (partly true). They just shruged their shoulders. I then asked about the replacement AA battery carier, surely I could get one of those. I was told they wouldn't give me one without having the grip and camera fixed.

Essentially my question is what is wrong with the 20D body. If I buy a brand new grip with a serial number higher than 096000, would I still have a problem? Is Canon trying to prevent repairing all 20D's, so that they only repair the ones used with a battery grip? Is Canon Australia just being difficult? Should I take this further with Canon Australia?

I guess after spending around $AU 3000 on a camera and grip I would expect more from Canoin that this!

Thanks Andrew

I think you will find that the battery sensor circuit is in the camera and not the grip, I have the same problem with my D30 and BG-ED3 grip and haven't used the grip because of it. I'm sending my camera in for repair at this moment! It may not be worth fixing though!
Don.

Hi Andrew!

Do not send your camera in for repair. It's a complete b.s if one uses his / her logic.

The new BG-E2 works on all 20D bodies (there is no 20D recall) so surely the problem is entirely on the battery grip!

Canon USA does not ask camera to fix BG-E2 and I heard coupel fo horror stories where the camera is dead or becomes problematic after receiving it back.

To me it's just another way of deterring people from exercising their right!

Cheerio

Tom.H

--
A photograph is usually looked at - seldom looked into. Ansel Adams

Andrew Duncan said:

I asked how long it would take for this fix and was told 3 weeks. I
told them that I couldn't be without the camera for that long as it
was my livelyhood (partly true). They just shruged their shoulders.
I then asked about the replacement AA battery carier, surely I
could get one of those. I was told they wouldn't give me one
without having the grip and camera fixed.

Click to expand...

Welcome to Canon Australia.

I seem to have a front focus issue with my 20D - at the moment I'm more happy to put up with it than risk it to Canon in Melbourne.

Incidently, I have one of the newer grips, with number above 096000, and I've never had a problem.

--I had the same issue on my 20D grip with two fully charged batteries indicating low battery charge in under 30-50 shots... I also had multiple sets of batteries that I maintain as matched pairs and do not mix them up. I had low battery indicator on multi sets, but worked fine on my 10D with grip. I typed up a letter explaining exactly what was going on and what I did to rule out the camera such as removing the grip and inserting the batteries in the camera and the camera indicating full charge, etc.

The last thing I stated was that I knew it was NOT a camera body issue and that I would not send it in. I asked that I wanted my new grip repaired or replaced as soon as possible to correct the problem.

Two weeks later, I got my grip back with a letter stating grip now within factory specs with no information of what they did to the grip.
It has worked flawlessly ever since in more than a year now.

I would strongly suggest NOT sending on the camera and maintain that they need to repair the grip or replace it.

Good luck,

Vaughn

Vaughn T. Winfree
Friends Don't Let Friends Shoot Film

pBase supporter http://www.pBase.com/vaughn

No text

I went back to the Canon service centre today and spoke to the same person as last week. I am happy to say that things went much better! Canon Australia have agreed to repair my BG-E2 grip, without the 20D body. I think that this time I was able to explain better the problem I was seeing with my grip and they agreed to fix the grip without the body.

I'll let you know when I get my grip back if the problem is fixed!

thanks,

Andrew

They really should just give you a new grip on the spot.

I got one a few weeks ago. Im less than impressed with how much play there is, but so far it as actually worked flawlessly. Im getting used to the creaks and wiggle

--
'Your ideas intrigue me, and I'd like to subscribe to your newsletter'

http://www.pbase.com/timothyo

He wasnt complaining about a loose grip. My grip never had a problem with the connection or in the play between it and the camera body. But I did send it in for low battery indications on fresh batteries.

They fixed mine without replacement and it has worked flawlessly ever since.. So some issues seemed to deal with connections and others seem to be low battery indicators. I am sure his will be taken care of with no further compaints.
Vaughn

Tim O'Connor said:

They really should just give you a new grip on the spot.

I got one a few weeks ago. Im less than impressed with how much
play there is, but so far it as actually worked flawlessly. Im
getting used to the creaks and wiggle

--
'Your ideas intrigue me, and I'd like to subscribe to your newsletter'

http://www.pbase.com/timothyo

Click to expand...

--
Vaughn T. Winfree
Friends Don't Let Friends Shoot Film

pBase supporter http://www.pBase.com/vaughn

I have heard just the opposite about Canon repair. In fact, a friend of mine bought a used 1DMarkII. He took it in to Irvine to have it checked and cleaned. A week later the shutter went out. They fixed it for free, it seems that the whole camera had a 6 month warranty after they had serviced it.

I've also had good repair experiences. I have one 10D that just seems to keep getting out of focus adjustment, the dreaded back focusing issue. Thet have adjusted it 4 times over the course of 2 years, never charged me a dime.

Rodney

Tom.H said:

Hi Andrew!

Click to expand...

Tom.H said:

Canon USA does not ask camera to fix BG-E2 and I heard coupel fo
horror stories where the camera is dead or becomes problematic
after receiving it back.

To me it's just another way of deterring people from exercising
their right!

Cheerio

Tom.H

--
A photograph is usually looked at - seldom looked into. Ansel Adams

Click to expand...

Got my grip back today. Took one day less than three weeks. I now have the replacement BGM-E2 battery magazine with the gold coloured contacts. The battery check indictator now shows full charge with two fully charged batteries. THe grip feels more solid on the camera, but this could be my imagination.

I think they may have replaced the thumb-wheel that tightens the grip to the tripod socket. The texture on the thumb wheel feels different. Although, the invoice from Canon says:

'Dismantled unit and replaced listed part. Reassembled, test and cleaned.' The part replaced was 'CYS=1508-000 PCB ASSY, MAIN' (no mention of the thumb wheel?).