Canon Pro Services Gold & Platinum: Is CPS Worth It?

[Canon Rumors]

If you’ve ever cracked a screen on your Canon camera or wanted to test-drive a big white lens without dropping thousands of dollars, you might’ve considered signing up for Canon Canon Professional Services. But is it worth it?

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[neuroanatomist]

@ordinaryfilmmaker:
If you’re a working pro or even a serious hobbyist with expensive gear, Platinum pays for itself quickly.

I have more than enough gear to quality, but I don't meet the requirements according to Canon:

Membership is available only to those individuals (self-employed or employed by a professional imaging business), who play a direct role in the creation of moving or still images for third parties on a full-time basis and are legal residents of the 50 United States or the District of Columbia.

A 'serious hobbyist' who is 'employed creating images for 3rd parties on a full time basis' is an oxymoron in almost all cases. I suppose it could have made that argument many years ago, when I spent a fair amount of my time doing photomicroscopy for a pharma company, even though I was using microscopes from Zeiss to do that.

Would Canon actually check? I highly doubt it – what they most likely care about is gear ownership and paying the membership fees. But still, I prefer to follow the rules (driving a bit over the speed limit notwithstanding).

 

[Maximilian]

I have more than enough gear to quality, but I don't meet the requirements according to Canon:

A 'serious hobbyist' who is 'employed creating images for 3rd parties on a full time basis' is an oxymoron in almost all cases. I suppose it could have made that argument many years ago, when I spent a fair amount of my time doing photomicroscopy for a pharma company, even though I was using microscopes from Zeiss to do that.

Would Canon actually check? I highly doubt it ...

Here in Germany/Europe they wanted to have a scan/copy of business licence handed in.
Otherwise, you cannot sign in/stay in.
That's why I am no longer part of that CPS game...

For us 'serious hobbyist' they left that "Canon Club data kraken" for just a few giveaways.
Thanks, but "NO!".

 

[Pixel]

If you own a white super tele lens and you DON\'T have Platinum you are sorely going to feel it when it needs to go in. Overnight shipping of a 400 2.8 could be $200 or more. Platinum is free shipping and when that big lens needs to go in it\'s a lifesaver.

 

[LSXPhotog]

Hmm...I don’t quite understand calling this ‘Canon’s Best Kept Secret’ just because Simon may not have heard of it. CPS is widely known - especially among professionals - and Canon often highlights its presence at major sporting events and trade shows. I can recall many articles boasting about Canon CPS at the Olympics and Super Bowl...it's kind of their thing to tell everyone how much support CPS offers.

 

[EricN]

I have more than enough gear to quality, but I don't meet the requirements according to Canon:

A 'serious hobbyist' who is 'employed creating images for 3rd parties on a full time basis' is an oxymoron in almost all cases. I suppose it could have made that argument many years ago, when I spent a fair amount of my time doing photomicroscopy for a pharma company, even though I was using microscopes from Zeiss to do that.

Would Canon actually check? I highly doubt it – what they most likely care about is gear ownership and paying the membership fees. But still, I prefer to follow the rules (driving a bit over the speed limit notwithstanding).

Caon USA has never checked me.
I recently received an extensive survey from Canon, but through some third party, and it asked some questions along the lines of what improvements you expect in the future." It said it was for people who purchased a camera body after January 1st, 2024.

 

[apmadoc]

It’s been my experience as a platinum member that for loaners, Canon ships it to me for free, but I have to pay for the return shipment..

“CPS covers the cost of shipping the Equipment Evaluation Loans to you via expedited carrier service and can only be shipped to the 50 United States & the District of Columbia. Gold members require at least a 2 week lead time for requests. All loans are subject to availability and are at Canon’s discretion. Newer items that are listed may not be immediately available for loan, but may be available soon. The CPS Member is responsible for all return shipping costs. A return address label is included with all loans.”

 

[SereneSpeed]

Keep in mind, when you ship your gear to them, it’s uninsured. That free shipping is a joke, at least in Canada. Ask before you ship.

I let my platinum go this year.

You get free test drives and then you want to spend thousands on gear you test drove for free, because you don’t have the cash to own it… just saying.

If you’re a pro and meet the requirements, you likely have backups.

It’s not as clear cut as it seems. I had platinum for ten years. $2k in membership. I saved $89 on one repair. Look up what it costs to ship a $3-5k piece of gear with insurance.

 

[Kdawg]

For me, it's a no brainer. The platinum level free shipping on maintenenace service is worth it alone. I cycle through sending my lenses and bodies in for free cleaning/maintenance. They do exceptional work. After shooting in rain events it's a good piece of mind as well. The 10% off gear coupons also pays for the membership by buying just about any L glass or body.

 

[GAOP]

Would add the CPS 800 phone number and its competent support staff. Can't count the number of times over the past 20 years I've called them. Sometimes its because I'm in the field without my manual and can't recall how to adjust a setting. CPS to the rescue. Sometimes I had an issue and didn't know where to start researching it, (like why the first byte of all my file names switched to an underscore, turned out it my color spaces was changed from sRGB to Adobe RGB.)

I've always recommended CPS saying the annual maintenance allotment alone is worth the membership fee. I do miss when they used to send us a freebie item with the annual enrollment; a camera strap, memory card holder, small camera bag... always with CPS emblazed upon it. Rarely used them item but appreciated the thought.

 

[David - Sydney]

the criteria for cps in Australia…
Note that a 5D (mark i) counts. How to prove that you make the majority of your income is from imaging is a good question! I believe you would need to provide your company’s Australian business number as part of the application for membership

 

[mikebg]

I have way more gear than I need to qualify, and was a CPS (Platinum or Gold - can't remember) member for many years (UK), but was kicked out because I don't have a VAT registration number as I don't sell my work. Was totally uninterested in the Canon "kindergarten" Club.

 

[OldDudePhotog]

I’ve been a platinum member for a year or so now, have yet to use it but it is nice to know it’s there if needed.

 

[AlanF]

I have way more gear than I need to qualify, and was a CPS (Platinum or Gold - can't remember) member for many years (UK), but was kicked out because I don't have a VAT registration number as I don't sell my work. Was totally uninterested in the Canon "kindergarten" Club.

Same here -Platinum UK and dumped.

 

[P-visie]

Same here -Platinum UK and dumped.

Same here, Platinum in the Netherlands and dumped.

 

[Roo]

I've been a Gold CPS member here in Oz since 2018 with Gold level here seeming to be the equivalent of the US Platinum. The ability to test out new gear before you buy it and receiving repair replacements makes it worthwhile even before considering the repair discounts.

 

[miker33]

There are differences between CPS benefits on different countries. In Canada, one big one not mentioned is early access to new lenses. I got my RF200-800 the week it was released by including my CPS # when I ordered.