Lesson Learned...

JCDoss · Dec 17, 2001

Group,

Many of you probably already know this, but I'd like to pass this healthy little tidbit on to those who don't.

When you buy Canon equipment with a USA warranty, DO NOT fill out the warranty card until you need service or at least until the 'trial period' at your vendor is up.

I recently purchased a bunch of stuff including a 28-135IS lens from Canoga. This lens comes with a rebate, so I filled out the card on Friday (day 5 of ownership) and was preparing to fire it off to Canon for my hot $30. Then, this weekend, I discovered that my 28-135IS is underexposing my images rather badly...

http://www.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1019&message=1900855

...and...

http://www.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1019&message=1903127

I tried to exchange this unit for a different one at Canoga, who has a 14-day return/exchange policy, and learned that Canon will not allow vendors to exchange USA warrantied merchandise if the card has been filled out. Not sure why, and I didn't ask, but I accepted Greg's explanation that he's tried "a dozen times" to no avail.

So, my message to you: DO NOT fill out the warranty card AT LEAST until the trial period for returns or exchanges is over per your vendor's return/exchange policy. I am certain that an exchange would have been MUCH faster than dealing with Canon service (my next step). More importantly, it eliminates any possibility of exchanging this lens for a different model (24-85, or a prime, for example) or for my money back.

Good luck,
JCDoss

RichW · Dec 17, 2001

I never fill out warranty cards. They are not allowed to require you to fil the card out to validate the warranty. Filling out the card lets them put you on their mailing list and sell your personal info. If you bought the item and have your receipt it is under warranty.

Rich

JCDoss said:
Group,

Many of you probably already know this, but I'd like to pass this
healthy little tidbit on to those who don't.

When you buy Canon equipment with a USA warranty, DO NOT fill out
the warranty card until you need service or at least until the
'trial period' at your vendor is up.

I recently purchased a bunch of stuff including a 28-135IS lens
from Canoga. This lens comes with a rebate, so I filled out the
card on Friday (day 5 of ownership) and was preparing to fire it
off to Canon for my hot $30. Then, this weekend, I discovered that
my 28-135IS is underexposing my images rather badly...

http://www.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1019&message=1900855

...and...

http://www.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1019&message=1903127

I tried to exchange this unit for a different one at Canoga, who
has a 14-day return/exchange policy, and learned that Canon will
not allow vendors to exchange USA warrantied merchandise if the
card has been filled out. Not sure why, and I didn't ask, but I
accepted Greg's explanation that he's tried "a dozen times" to no
avail.

So, my message to you: DO NOT fill out the warranty card AT LEAST
until the trial period for returns or exchanges is over per your
vendor's return/exchange policy. I am certain that an exchange
would have been MUCH faster than dealing with Canon service (my
next step). More importantly, it eliminates any possibility of
exchanging this lens for a different model (24-85, or a prime, for
example) or for my money back.

Good luck,
JCDoss

Fred Miranda · Dec 17, 2001

I was surprised to learn that all you need to get your camera/lens repaired by Canon is your receipt. (Just keep the warranty card inside the box in case you need to return it or sell it in the future).

Canon will repair USA and GRAY market lenses and cameras during the 1-year standard warranty.
YES, gray market as well. (At least at the Irvine Canon Service).
They have repaired two of my gray lenses (100mm macro and 100-400IS).

Fred
--Fred Mirandawww.fredmiranda.com

Joe Hawblitzel · Dec 17, 2001

The current trick is to require a completed warranty card before giving you the rebate, i.e. the microdrive and battery special. Also, the warranty card is required to be completed to validate the Canon extended warranty. I'm still trying to figure out if they're going to give me a hard time over this, since I couldn't send one warranty card to two different addresses.
--Joe Hawblitzel

William C · Dec 17, 2001

Photocopy the warranty filled out, send the original in for the rebate.
Send the copy to with the extended warranty indicating that
the original was mail for the rebate. Then wait.

Bill

Joe Hawblitzel · Dec 17, 2001

That's what I did. Still waiting

William C said:
Photocopy the warranty filled out, send the original in for the
rebate.
Send the copy to with the extended warranty indicating that
the original was mail for the rebate. Then wait.

Bill

--Joe Hawblitzel

DavidP #28649 · Dec 17, 2001

At least you dealt with a reputable company, so ou can be sure that Greg's telling you the truth, and not just giving you the run-around.

Did he indicate that this is NOT a problem with the 28-135 IS (usually), and that yours did, indeed, sound defective to him?

JCDoss said:
Group,

Many of you probably already know this, but I'd like to pass this
healthy little tidbit on to those who don't.

When you buy Canon equipment with a USA warranty, DO NOT fill out
the warranty card until you need service or at least until the
'trial period' at your vendor is up.

I recently purchased a bunch of stuff including a 28-135IS lens
from Canoga. This lens comes with a rebate, so I filled out the
card on Friday (day 5 of ownership) and was preparing to fire it
off to Canon for my hot $30. Then, this weekend, I discovered that
my 28-135IS is underexposing my images rather badly...

http://www.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1019&message=1900855

...and...

http://www.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1019&message=1903127

I tried to exchange this unit for a different one at Canoga, who
has a 14-day return/exchange policy, and learned that Canon will
not allow vendors to exchange USA warrantied merchandise if the
card has been filled out. Not sure why, and I didn't ask, but I
accepted Greg's explanation that he's tried "a dozen times" to no
avail.

So, my message to you: DO NOT fill out the warranty card AT LEAST
until the trial period for returns or exchanges is over per your
vendor's return/exchange policy. I am certain that an exchange
would have been MUCH faster than dealing with Canon service (my
next step). More importantly, it eliminates any possibility of
exchanging this lens for a different model (24-85, or a prime, for
example) or for my money back.

Good luck,
JCDoss

--The Unofficial Photographer of The Wilkinsons http://thewilkinsons.xroad.com

JCDoss · Dec 17, 2001

DavidP said:
Did he indicate that this is NOT a problem with the 28-135 IS
(usually), and that yours did, indeed, sound defective to him?

Here's an exact quote:

DavidP #28649 said:
DavidP #28649 said:

Its a great lens....I'm actually surprised its acting funny.
They should have it back in your hands in no time...

Click to expand...

He recommended that I send off for the rebate first, wait on the card to come back, and send the lens off for evaluation/repair then. Which means I'll be using a defective lens much longer than I wanted to, but at least I can say that it is my own damn fault!

JCDoss

Mike Kuder · Dec 17, 2001

JCDoss said:
Group,

When you buy Canon equipment with a USA warranty, DO NOT fill out
the warranty card until you need service or at least until the
'trial period' at your vendor is up.

Absolutely correct. I guess you'll never forget that one. That policy is standard practice for most places I have ever dealt with.

Member said:
I recently purchased a bunch of stuff including a 28-135IS lens
from Canoga. This lens comes with a rebate, so I filled out the
card on Friday (day 5 of ownership) and was preparing to fire it
off to Canon for my hot $30. Then, this weekend, I discovered that
my 28-135IS is underexposing my images rather badly...

I'm still thinking about that one. So I'll do it outloud a little...

Hmmm....

My first thought is that I would almost expect a little darker image from a zoom than a great prime like you have. Even at the same numbers. The construction of the two lenses is totally different.

Frankly I think that in your "bush" pics the 28-135 is slightly underexposed, but to my eyes the 50 1.4 is slightly over exposed. Just a thought. If I were gonna spot that bush I think I might have been a little closer to it. Or maybe spot the bush closer in and lock in AE and move away. Perhaps the angle of the pic is a little too wide to get a really accurate spot. Dunno. Overall I like the 28-135 shot much better. And frankly I would always prefer a little under than a little over. You can fix up a tad dark in a jiffy. Over is tougher.

In talking with another photographer friend here at the office we have kind of concluded that a + - 1/2 stop or so variation in exposure from the the two lenses you possess is probably not totally unexpected. Are you sure about the specs on those two pics? And why did you use "P" instead of totally "M" ? In the past I have noticed on my former coolpix that "P" mode pics have "tweener" fstops and shutter speeds even though it doesn't show up on the LCD as such. In a way maybe the same with your "Av" mode tests.

OTOH maybe it is defective.

Just some thoughts. Let's see what others think.

Best,
Mike

PS Congrats on your new toy!!!!

DavidP #28649 · Dec 17, 2001

I should've sent back my 70-200 IS to Robert's when I wasn't pleased with it's performance (compared to my non-IS version). But then they didn't have any in-stock to replace it with, and I really wanted to use it at a concert that was going to occur after the last date possible for an exchange.

JCDoss said:
Which means I'll be using a defective lens much longer than
I wanted to, but at least I can say that it is my own damn fault!

--The Unofficial Photographer of The Wilkinsons http://thewilkinsons.xroad.com

Jack-IDC · Dec 17, 2001

Joe,

I called Canon regarding this and was told, BY CANON, that I was to send in the warranty with the microdrive rebate and that the warranty is valid as long as my receipt for the camera shows the purchase of the extended warranty. Therefor, there's no need to send in the warranty in at all.

Just relaying what I was told. I can't vouch for putting this into action for repair.

Jack

Joe Hawblitzel said:
William C said:

Photocopy the warranty filled out, send the original in for the
rebate.
Send the copy to with the extended warranty indicating that
the original was mail for the rebate. Then wait.

Bill

Click to expand...

--
Joe Hawblitzel

Jack-IDC · Dec 17, 2001

Just to clear this up - I meant I was told to send in the "product registration" in with the rebate, not the extended warranty papers.

Jack McDaniel said:
Jack

Joe Hawblitzel said:

William C said:

Photocopy the warranty filled out, send the original in for the
rebate.
Send the copy to with the extended warranty indicating that
the original was mail for the rebate. Then wait.

Bill

Click to expand...

--
Joe Hawblitzel

Click to expand...

Joe Hawblitzel · Dec 17, 2001

Jack,

Thanks for the info. I photocopied everything and sent it all, even my passport and birth certificate

. I guess I'm just skeptical about the quality of customer service these days. They seem to hire anyone with a pulse. Am I being too cynical?

Jack McDaniel said:
Jack McDaniel said:

Jack

Joe Hawblitzel said:

William C said:

Photocopy the warranty filled out, send the original in for the
rebate.
Send the copy to with the extended warranty indicating that
the original was mail for the rebate. Then wait.

Bill

Click to expand...

--
Joe Hawblitzel

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

--Joe Hawblitzel

The other Larry · Dec 17, 2001

JCDoss

They (Canon) screwed me out of that microdrive the same way. They kept my warranty card, sent back the rest of the papers saying I was from a foreign country. Atlanta, Georgia???

I think it's just a Canon peon desk jockey with a hangover kind of thing.

Canon should make it right. In the meantime JC...by the Expo Disc and see if it isn't an WB problem. Most complain about the 28-135 in the same manner. I did also...then I got the WB perfect and haven't had a problem with it since.

LarryM
Applying for a green card

DavidP #28649 · Dec 17, 2001

He should get the ExpoDisc for WB.

But I can't see how it'd change his problems with the lens. The meter's obviously working correctly, the the camera and this lens aren't talking to each other correctly, or the lens is defective. I vote for the latter.

yawn said:
The other Larry said:

Canon should make it right. In the meantime JC...by the Expo Disc

Click to expand...

and see if it isn't an WB problem. Most complain about the 28-135
in the same manner. I did also...then I got the WB perfect and
haven't had a problem with it since.

--The Unofficial Photographer of The Wilkinsons http://thewilkinsons.xroad.com

blang · Dec 17, 2001

I don't get it, to get the rebate you must fill out the warranty card and then when the lens is defective Canon won't allow an authorized dealer to replace the defective lens?

Does this make any sense?

JCDoss · Dec 18, 2001

Mike Kuder said:
Absolutely correct. I guess you'll never forget that one. That
policy is standard practice for most places I have ever dealt with.

Live and learn... You're right, I'll never make that mistake again. Hopefully somebody read this thread who DIDN'T know this... I'd like to think I might have prevented a catastrophe for someone else!

Mike Kuder said:
Frankly I think that in your "bush" pics the 28-135 is slightly
underexposed, but to my eyes the 50 1.4 is slightly over exposed.

I expected that given that I was metering the bush which is dark, dark green. These aren't high quality photos, and in fact, they were among my first attempts to investigate the issue. I noticed marked underexposure in a large number of outdoor shots taken that day (it was my first time really using the lens). I decided to run a "quick-and-dirty" test outdoors, and that's what you're looking at.

I did a second set of tests indoors later that evening...
http://www.pbase.com/jcdoss/exposure

I'd be interested in your opinion on these as well. I think there's a significant difference (ie, too much of a difference) between the two lenses.

Mike Kuder said:
Are you sure about the specs on those two pics?

Yep.

Mike Kuder said:
And why did you use "P" instead of totally "M" ?

I didn't think it would matter all that much... the metering doesn't change between modes (unless there really are "tweener" speeds that no one knows about!).

Mike Kuder said:
noticed on my former coolpix that "P" mode pics have "tweener"
fstops and shutter speeds even though it doesn't show up on the LCD
as such. In a way maybe the same with your "Av" mode tests.
...OTOH maybe it is defective.

We'll see... I'm sending it in for service.
JCDoss

PS: Thanks for the congrats! Despite all my bitching, I love my new camera!

JCDoss · Dec 18, 2001

DavidP said:
He should get the ExpoDisc for WB.

That's on my short list. Thanks for calling it to my attention, guys!

JCDoss

JCDoss · Dec 18, 2001

blang said:
I don't get it, to get the rebate you must fill out the warranty
card and then when the lens is defective Canon won't allow an
authorized dealer to replace the defective lens?

Does this make any sense?

I guess the idea is that once you fill out the warranty card, you absolve the vendor from any responsibility and you now have to deal with Canon directly.

JCDoss

Mike Kuder · Dec 18, 2001

JCDoss said:
Mike Kuder said:

Absolutely correct. I guess you'll never forget that one. That
policy is standard practice for most places I have ever dealt with.

Click to expand...

Live and learn... You're right, I'll never make that mistake
again. Hopefully somebody read this thread who DIDN'T know this...
I'd like to think I might have prevented a catastrophe for someone
else!

Kudos to you for providing the heads-up. I'm sure a lot of folks don't know that.

Member said:
I did a second set of tests indoors later that evening...
http://www.pbase.com/jcdoss/exposure

I'd be interested in your opinion on these as well. I think
there's a significant difference (ie, too much of a difference)
between the two lenses.

Yeah, I saw them before on your earlier post which I discovered later than this one. Not too good. Still I have to wonder if it's just a matter of a "brighter" and more contrasty lens in the 50.

Member said:
We'll see... I'm sending it in for service.

I guess that's the only way to know for sure. I'm very anxious to know what happens, and I'm sure you'll let us know. BTW I haven't noticed your problem (at least until now ;-) between my 50/1.8 and 28-105/3.5-4.5. Now you've got me paranoid!

Member said:
JCDoss

PS: Thanks for the congrats! Despite all my bitching, I love my
new camera!

I've had mine for about a month now. The longer I have had it the more I love it!

Mike

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