Camera service - really required?

[CDR]

Just an observation - having spent over 8 years in the middle east before returning home 2 years ago I can't help but notice the number of DSLR users who have their camera's serviced on a regular basis in SA. In the ME unless you were a Pro the only time you ever took a body (or a lens for that matter) in, was when it is was malfunctioning.

Having owned numerous bodies over the years from APS-C to full frame I still have a, possibly misplaced, concern of somebody fiddling uneccessarily with what is a high tech instrument. I would be interested to get forum views on this as although the ME was an extreme environment hot, dusty but also very humid at times (hard to believe but true) I have never had one body failure - nor ever sent a body in for a service, although I have always taken great care in handling / storing my equipment.

Thoughts / feedback anyone???

[Henk Coetzee]

I have to agree with you Craig. If ain't broken, don't fix it. Unless of course you have a good reason, some sort of scheduled maintenance or the replacement of something nearing the end of its life (although even then, the specified service life is a mean or a minimum, almost never an absolute). Some concerns of mine:
Anything sealed should stay sealed. Breaking a good seal generally means that the seal needs to be replaced. You have no guarantee that this will be done.
Anything fiddled with is likely to need alignment. If there wasn't a problem to start with, why take the risk.
You have no idea of who will be poking their fingers into your camera and what they will be doing. This carries the risk that they will damage something in the process or that they will do nothing and charge you for replacing parts.
When it comes to DSLRs, there seems to be little point in regular servicing. They become old models within a few months, out of date in a year or two and not worth maintaining after 4 to 5 years. If you are wearing them out faster than this, then you should be looking at a more robust body.

FWIW, I have a Minolta SRT101 which has been in use since I bought it more than 30 years ago. It still functions perfectly and has never been serviced. The only failure I have had on a digital camera was deemed uneconomic to repair.

[Forgiss - Sean Nel]

Here's the thing, Many people do not realise that if a body goes in for a thorough cleaning, it's quite possible that your sensor will be removed and replaced in the process. That means that a corner to corner calibration needs to be done again according to factory specs, which means your lenses may or may not react the same way they used to.

The scenario is unlikely, but for cameras that have worked hard or is working hard, it becomes more realistic.

I am part of the crowd that leaves the camera pretty much alone appart from my own cleans and sensor cleans until something goes wrong.

[Ernst]

I also support the 'no service' school of thought. In 25 years of using Canon, the only equipment failure I have ever experienced was a shutter failure on a T90, which I could not get replaced as the model was discontinued years before.

I also feel DSLR cameras and lenses are such high precision instruments that I would not want any (non-Canon factory) technician to work on it.

I believe if you don't abuse your equipment, it will last. Having said that, don't expect to use entry-level bodies and lenses for pro use. Buy the right tools for the job. There is a good reason pro kit costs more....

[Ernst]

I also support 'no service' unless something breaks.

In 25 years of using Canon, the only equipment that failed on me was a T90 shutter failure - which I could not get replaced as the model was discontinued years before.

In general, I believe if you don't abuse your camera equipment, it will last. Having said that, don't buy entry-level gear and expect to get pro use out of it. Buy the right tools for the job. There is a reason pro equipment costs more....

[AstraPics]

Some years ago I worked for one of SA's top photographic importers/wholesalers, which had a big service department. Not one of the technicians had ever been to any of the factories for training. In some instances, when the workload was high, the reps were drafted in to assist with some of the less technical repairs. To send a perfectly-functional and highly-sophisticated DSLR into such an environment for a 'service' is asking for trouble. I have never sent any photo equipment I have ever owned for servicing and never will.

[Skyelark]

Here's the thing, Many people do not realise that if a body goes in for a thorough cleaning, it's quite possible that your sensor will be removed and replaced in the process. That means that a corner to corner calibration needs to be done again according to factory specs, which means your lenses may or may not react the same way they used to.

The scenario is unlikely, but for cameras that have worked hard or is working hard, it becomes more realistic.

I am part of the crowd that leaves the camera pretty much alone appart from my own cleans and sensor cleans until something goes wrong.

That's interesting - why would they replace your sensor and not charge you?
Actually why would they need to replace your sensor at all , maybe the IR filter if its scratched but not a complete sensor if the body is only being sent in for a clean?

Cameratek charges around R1500 for a canon dslr body service - if they including a free sensor replacement on a 5D body service that's an absolute bargain!!!!
Go cameratek!!!

[Mike Wrankmore]

I don't think Sean meant replaced with a new sensor.........just replaced back into the body!

[Skyelark]

I don't think Sean meant replaced with a new sensor.........just replaced back into the body!

Hahaha ja was wondering about that one!
But I highly doubt they remove the sensor even on a major clean/service - its not an easy job , it involves soldering parts off etc its not something designed to be arbitrarily removed just for cleaning.
Possibly strip the camera so the IR filter of the sensor is fully exposed for cleaning
I would suppose it depends on the make and model though

[Forgiss - Sean Nel]

Suppose it depends on the model. I was speaking to the Cameratek guys about calibrating lenses and sensors, and how the system works, and the tech actually explained to me how they use a laser based system to align the sensor back on all four corners (same depth) after a major clean, and how the camera is then set up to adjust AF back according to the new values from the measurement.

I also didn't know they do this...

[Skyelark]

Suppose it depends on the model. I was speaking to the Cameratek guys about calibrating lenses and sensors, and how the system works, and the tech actually explained to me how they use a laser based system to align the sensor back on all four corners (same depth) after a major clean, and how the camera is then set up to adjust AF back according to the new values from the measurement.

I also didn't know they do this...

Cameratek does say that a full service includes a calibration check , that is one reason why the service is quite expensive.
That would affect the way you lens's respond , especially if the technician doing it wasn't very precise or thorough.
A well executed service is supposed to make sure everything on the body incl the shutter mechanism is at factory spec and not to calibrate it correctly.

If you getting the money shot as you intended every time you press the shutter then a service would probably be a waste.
But then again you may get more keepers after a service , especially if you mainly shoot in environments that demand high speed focus and instant reflexes

[Cassie]

Well .... my 1D MK iii is at Camera Tek at this moment in time as I want to put it up for sale in the classifieds as soon as I get it back, I just felt that I would like to be able to at least reassure the potential buyer that he is getting a piece of high end equipment in the best possible condition.

[Skyelark]

Well .... my 1D MK iii is at Camera Tek at this moment in time as I want to put it up for sale in the classifieds as soon as I get it back, I just felt that I would like to be able to at least reassure the potential buyer that he is getting a piece of high end equipment in the best possible condition.

That's a good thing to do , you can say with confidence it is 100% working and in excellent order.
You can also probably ask a slight premium on the price as the buyer knows exactly what he's getting and can purchase it with peace of mind.
You can also request Cameratek to give you the exact shutter count when its sent it , if you didn't request that you can still phone them and ask for that to be done , as long as it hasn't had the service done yet.

Last I heard is that only the main Jhb branch has the facilities to read shutter count's and do the body calibration that a service requires , so all the other regional branches send the stuff there that require that.

[Henk Coetzee]

If you getting the money shot as you intended every time you press the shutter then a service would probably be a waste.
But then again you may get more keepers after a service , especially if you mainly shoot in environments that demand high speed focus and instant reflexes

If you aren't AND it's the camera's fault, then it's a repair, not a service.

[Grant Atkinson]

Cameratek in Cape Town, near Montagu Gardens, can do shutter counts within minutes if they are not too busy, just for the record. I had several of my cameras checked there within the last month.
cheers
Grant

[Skyelark]

If you aren't AND it's the camera's fault, then it's a repair, not a service.

I don't see how that can be true , if the focus or shutter calibration is right out of whack for what ever reason you may struggle to get the shot you want
In that instance Canon will no doubt advise that a service is needed as that includes calibrating all the good stuff
Although that may not solve the problem and further repairs may be necessary.....

[elsahoffmann]

I have my camera serviced. It had its first service this year (3 years old) as a full sensor clean on the D3x is quite a complicated affair and to do this best they also do a service. 100% happy that I had it done, and yes I would do it again if I feel the need. My camera is probably one of the most expensive cameras (DSLR's) ever purchased here and I will look after it and care for it as best I can as I expect the best out of my camera every single time. A Merc is also an expensive electronic thingie - you have that serviced dont you?

[Henk Coetzee]

A Merc is also an expensive electronic thingie - you have that serviced dont you?

Yip, but it's usually best to leave the electronic bits to do their magic. Servicing should really only involve replacing the lubricants and the bits that aren't designed to last - filters, spark plugs and so on.

[elsahoffmann]

Yip, but it's usually best to leave the electronic bits to do their magic. Servicing should really only involve replacing the lubricants and the bits that aren't designed to last - filters, spark plugs and so on.

You missed my point.

[Deon RacePics]

I have my cameras cleaned regularly. True there is the dust delete function, but I prefer a proper clean. Since there moving bits in there somewhere it is possible they need a proper checking over. I am happier for it. In my life only two cameras ever gave in on me.. one was victim to my daughter jumping into the seat of a go-cart while it was in her back pocket...