Camera service - really required?

[Forgiss - Sean Nel]

Just for clarity... When you say "service"...

Although my cameras do not see cameratek very often unless something has gone pear shaped, I do, in a very frequent basis clean my camera (vacuum the outside, wipe down, sensor clean with swabs, lens pen the lenses inside and out and vacuum my camera bag for any residual dust that may have gotten in over time)

So... Is that a "service" or just camera care?

[stephen wicks]

In my opinion, cameras need servicing annually. But seeing as though mine lead a hard life and get exposed to rain, dust, heat and below zero temperatures I think they have a harder life than most.
Canon had a good service dept in Midrand when Greg Mathee was in charge but he moved to Nikon and that is where the rot set in. Now if I need something cleaned/seviced its a 100km round trip to Cameratek, pay a deposit, then wait a few days before they quote and then wait a further 4 days or so for them to do the job .....Canon is not the most reliable make either. I did the shutter on my D30 and then twice on my 20d but my 1d has been most reliable. Even so its around R1 500 each time and the same for my 100-400.

[Boskat]

DSLR's are complex pieces of equipment and just as the user software needs upgrading so does the motherboard operating system of the camera from time to time. Shutters are mechanical of nature and tolerances change and things move. Calibration is a standard part of any repair. Having it serviced from time to time is a no brainer. The technicians that do this at reputable service companies are factory trained and use specialised equipment and have access to all the service bulletins and latest software. If they were not properly trained they would not get access to this technical info from the manufacturers. The problem is that it is very difficult to make money out of selling technical labour as there is only so much you can charge per hour and only so many hours in the day! It is also expensive to train the people and when they are away being trained they can't generate income. Be thankful that you can have it serviced locally and don't have to bag it and send it to the mother factory factory for service and repair.

[AstraPics]

DSLRs are complex pieces of equipment and just as the user software needs upgrading so does the motherboard operating system of the camera from time to time.

That's not true. Many Nikon DSLRs never get a factory software upgrade in the product life of the camera. Upgraded motherboard OS? Never heard of that.

Having it serviced from time to time is a no brainer.

We'll have to disagree on that one. I think having a camera that is perfectly functional serviced is a no-brainer.

The technicians that do this at reputable service companies are factory trained

Really? In Japan? At the factory? Not at some of the "reputable service companies" I have been to.

Nope, if it ain't broke don't "fix" it.

[Henk Coetzee]

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.....

Exactly. If you aren't getting the shot because there's a problem with the camera, it needs to be fixed. The moment it's opened up, everything that could need attention should get it. This is also a good time for preventative maintenance, as a lot of the cost of these things goes into the labour to open it all up and close it again.

[Boskat]

That's not true. Many Nikon DSLRs never get a factory software upgrade in the product life of the camera. Upgraded motherboard OS? Never heard of that.



We'll have to disagree on that one. I think having a camera that is perfectly functional serviced is a no-brainer.



Really? In Japan? At the factory? Not at some of the "reputable service companies" I have been to.

Nope, if it ain't broke don't "fix" it.

It might not happen to Nikon but I can assure you that Canon do it, I had 40D serviced and the MB software was upgraded. I have the invoice. Fact - Accreditation of warranty technicians is part of the agreement to getting technical support - yes many of the technicians are factory trained. Do you really think somebody could service and calibrate a complex camera without training on the model and the necessary equipment from the manufacturer?
Credit where credit's due - I ran a multinational electronics company service division in this country for 10 years - everything from professional TV cameras to medical equipment , I have a fair idea how the industry works.

[Callie Muller]

I have not seen any manufacturers recommending this. Seems a risky operation
This link may confirm it

http://photo.net/equipment/digital/sensorcleaning/

[Skyelark]

I have not seen any manufacturers recommending this. Seems a risky operation
This link may confirm it

http://photo.net/equipment/digital/sensorcleaning/

Some people get pretty neurotic about cleaning a camera sensor (well actually you would be cleaning the IR filter that covers the sensor if the truth be told , not the actual light sensor itself) , which I suppose is a fair response as the it does appear to be rather fragile and inordinately shiny. Its actually a pretty painless and simple job to clean , you do need a delicate hand and a careful approach but its generally not too hard.

Some particular make/models of early camera sensors had characteristics that made them susceptible to damage with cleaning fluids/brushs/swabs and/or the methods of cleaning. That is where the legends of damaged sensor's after DIY cleaning cropped up.

99% of modern sensors(actually the IR filter as I mentioned) on Nikon , Canon etc are remarkably robust and resilient , you would have to be very unlucky to damage the Sensor from careful cleaning.

The IR filter can be replaced on most cameras , although that would cost around R2000 or more depending on the model.

[walterpike]

Some people get pretty neurotic about cleaning a camera sensor (well actually you would be cleaning the IR filter that covers the sensor if the truth be told , not the actual light sensor itself) , which I suppose is a fair response as the it does appear to be rather fragile and inordinately shiny. Its actually a pretty painless and simple job to clean , you do need a delicate hand and a careful approach but its generally not too hard.

Some particular make/models of early camera sensors had characteristics that made them susceptible to damage with cleaning fluids/brushs/swabs and/or the methods of cleaning. That is where the legends of damaged sensor's after DIY cleaning cropped up.

99% of modern sensors(actually the IR filter as I mentioned) on Nikon , Canon etc are remarkably robust and resilient , you would have to be very unlucky to damage the Sensor from careful cleaning.

The IR filter can be replaced on most cameras , although that would cost around R2000 or more depending on the model.

Actually as far as I can tell if you do everything carefully as far as I can tell the risks are pretty minimal. EXCEPT if you drop the mirror, bat runs flat or you do something similiar and drop the mirror on the cleaning tool