Out of warranty camera and lens repair: There is a lot of mention here about out of warranty repairs. I would love to do a sort of survey. How many have had out of warranty repairs...

tomw

There is a lot of mention here about out of warranty repairs. I would love to do a sort of survey.

How many have had out of warranty repairs done by the manufacturer?
By an independent shop?
Satisfied with work?
Satisfied with price?
How many decided to replace instead of repair after an estimate?
Are there any statistics about need for repair and satisfaction by brand? Is one notably better or worse than another?

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

I've never needed any repair work done, either in-warranty or out. Knock-on-wood!
I did have the back of the protective glass cleaned on a ten year old, super-tele by Midwest Camera Repair. At $70, I was quite happy with both the price and the work.
I've been shooting since about 65.
I currently shoot Canon gear. ;-)
SS

Kuzano

shooting since 1960's. No camera problems. Lens problems only with third party.

3 Sigma lenses in the last ten years.

One repaired Aperture fail.
Price high - Could have gotten used for same $, took the risk.
Same fail.

After the first Sigma, got quotes on the other two. Same situation and based on price, did not send for repair.

1 Tamron 28-270, aperture fail. Repair $118. Repaired and happy. No further problem.

No More Sigma's for me.

Rongnongno Loc: FL

Nikon has restricted the in and out warranty repair shops by controling who can purchase part from them...

busted_shutter

Shooting serious since the early '70s. Never needed repair...in or out of warranty.

tainkc Loc: Kansas City

I have been shooting a long time since the late 2000's. I smashed my camera once and now just got it back from an overhaul using an extended warranty (thank God!) through the manufacturer (Sony). Each time it came back better than before. Did not cost more than what I originally paid for the warranty which was $149.00.

jcorning Loc: Delaware

I had my Sony repaired by Sony. They did far more than I asked them to for a set price. Thrilled to be a Sony owner.

Anandnra Loc: Tennessee

tomw wrote:

There is a lot of mention here about out of warranty repairs. I would love to do a sort of survey.

How many have had out of warranty repairs done by the manufacturer?
By an independent shop?
Satisfied with work?
Satisfied with price?
How many decided to replace instead of repair after an estimate?
Are there any statistics about need for repair and satisfaction by brand? Is one notably better or worse than another?

I had to replace the shutter assembly on my Canon 7D after only 18,000 actuations (it is supposed to be good for about 150K). Unfortunately it was out of warranty and was pricey to do it. After much negotiation, Canon offered a 15% discount on the repair or 20% off a refurbed 7D body. I took the former option at a cost of about $300 plus taxes and shipping. They were very professional to deal with but expensive and didn't care that it lasted only a fraction of its rating.

Anandnra Loc: Tennessee

Anandnra wrote:

I had to replace the shutter assembly on my Canon 7D after only 18,000 actuations (it is supposed to be good for about 150K). Unfortunately it was out of warranty and was pricey to do it. After much negotiation, Canon offered a 15% discount on the repair or 20% off a refurbed 7D body. I took the former option at a cost of about $300 plus taxes and shipping. They were very professional to deal with but expensive and didn't care that it lasted only a fraction of its rating.

... and I have been a loyal Canon customer from the late 70's .....

Budnjax Loc: NE Florida

I think the fact that most camera manufacturers only give a 90 day to 1 year warranty with the new gear they sell says a lot: this item ain't very good...if it breaks in half you get to keep both halves! The idea that a $1000 camera body should not last more than a year before going on the fritz is, to me, ridiculous and really tells you what the makers think of their products. Contrast that to the lifetime warranty that many gun manufacturers give with every piece sold...if it ever breaks we fix it free of charge.

Swamp Gator Loc: Coastal South Carolina

SharpShooter wrote:

I've never needed any repair work done, either in-warranty or out. Knock-on-wood!
I did have the back of the protective glass cleaned on a ten year old, super-tele by Midwest Camera Repair. At $70, I was quite happy with both the price and the work.
I've been shooting since about 65.
I currently shoot Canon gear. ;-)
SS

I have an older non-IS Canon 24-70 2.8 that developed some fogging issues and Canon no longer offered support for that lens.
I sent it to Midwest and the lens came back looking and operating like new.
I highly recommend them as well.

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

Nikon since 1964 and never a problem.

Dennis

brucewells Loc: Central Kentucky

Nikon had repaired an 80-200 f/2.8 D lens for me. A month and a half out of warranty, it quit auto-focusing. I sent it back to them, ended up talking to a supervisor and he agreed to repair it free of charge even though it was out of warranty.

dragonswing Loc: Pa

I recently had my Nikon refurbished by Nikon (sent to them through the shop I bought the camera from). It had focusing issues and stopped working the day the warranty expired. (that is the kind of luck I have!!)I got it back in a timely matter, they sent a list of all the repair/adjustments made and the price was not unreasonable. I was happy with the service I received.

fdoyle3 Loc: Glenolden Pa.

tamron has a six year warranty on their lenses the 28 270 should come under that, I have always had good results with Tamron