Canon Issues EOS 5D Classic Service Advisory

[SierraDon]

This is my first post, so I hope I get it right--

I called Canon technical support this morning regarding a 5D I was considering purchasing, and spoke with a Tony. I gave him the serial number, which started with a 0, and asked if it needed to be returned for a mirror upgrade. His answer was interesting:

1. If the mirror was not actually broken, they would not reinforce it.

2.MORE CONCERNING- I was told that as of Sept 30, 2015, Canon would NO LONGER work on the 5D. I asked if they would even clean the sensor after Sept 30, and was told NO.

3.Asking why, Tony said that the technology in the 5D was so old they would no longer work on the camera.

It appears the 5D will be soon unrepairable.

As I think the camera is a good value, I hope someone can tell me I was misinformed. Right now, I have decided not to pursue purchase of a 5D.

Don't know about SOP on #1.

However, #2 and #3 apply to a great deal of Canon cameras and lenses that are still functioning just fine (for now).

Unfortunately, Canon chooses to end support for cameras and lenses, some of which still cost quite a bit of money today even though they are no longer repairable either by Canon or 3rd party facilities (USM but non-IS supertelephoto lenses such as the 200mm f/1.8 and the unique 50mm f/1.0 come to mind and all digital cameras from the 1DsII, 1DIV and soon to be 5D and earlier).

Unlike the 1DsII, the 50mm f/1.0 and those USM lenses which are truly non-repairable today, there are lots of 5D's out there. The supply of bodies in good condition and therefore major spare parts are likely to be in good supply for some time to come.

If you want to get a 5D, I wouldn't necessarily let the announced out-of-service date be the deciding factor.

The bigger 3rd party repair facilities will be able to fix the 5D as long as the parts last. Shutter assemblies are the most likely major wear item.

Buy one at a reasonable price (or two) and enjoy it.

Despite the reported excellent color quality, the lack of AFMA tarnishes the luster for me.

I still have not figured out how to edit a quote-----------

I am considering the 5D as an inexpensive way to check out full frame, with the idea of eventually making the 5D a backup camera to perhaps a 6D. I have a few EF primes, and would like to see how they do with full frame. My current camera is a crop sensor. I am not a pro, I just shoot photos for fun (and take many photos of my grandchildren)

In the idea of being prepared for problems before they happen, can anyone recommend a good third party repair service for the 5D? I live in California, but I expect once the box goes into the mail, it does not matter where the repair facility is located.

Thanks!!

 

[danski0224]

I still have not figured out how to edit a quote-----------

I am considering the 5D as an inexpensive way to check out full frame, with the idea of eventually making the 5D a backup camera to perhaps a 6D. I have a few EF primes, and would like to see how they do with full frame. My current camera is a crop sensor. I am not a pro, I just shoot photos for fun (and take many photos of my grandchildren)

In the idea of being prepared for problems before they happen, can anyone recommend a good third party repair service for the 5D? I live in California, but I expect once the box goes into the mail, it does not matter where the repair facility is located.

Thanks!!

Editing- You just select the text and edit it within the "quote" and "/quote" tags. Much more difficult to do on a phone.

Why worry about a repair service when repairs are not needed yet?

If you really want to "be prepared", buy a 5D and send it off to Canon and have the shutter replaced now before the End of Life date. Of course, like any mechanical part, there is no guarantee that the new or NOS part will last any longer than the old one

I would suggest doing an internet search for "Canon camera repair" and see what comes up. I have seen Midwest Camera Repair come up frequently, but have no experience with them. There are others.

Risk assessment is part of buying obsolete, "non-repairable" or soon to be obsolete electronics/items. A 5D is selling for ~$400 on eBay right now and it is probably the least expensive way to get into "full frame". At ~$400.00 currently, it may not be worth repairing if/when it breaks at some point in the future. It is unlikely that the value will go up over time, at least in the immediate future.

In many ways, the current 6D is a much better camera and that one is selling for ~$1200.00. Yes, it is 3x the cost, but outside of a single specific reason to get a 5D (color rendition due to the CFA), the 6D is more than 3x the camera compared to the original 5D with many worthwhile improvements over time. The 6D also has at least 10 years of life left in it.

You are aware that the 5D does not have a "self cleaning" sensor, right?

The 6D is likely to be an improvement over your crop camera in most everyday lighting conditions, with a cropped 6D frame being equal or better to the native view of your crop camera. The AF array of the 6D is comparable to what you get in the 5D/5DII with the exception of the center point in the 6D, which is the best of any current canon camera.

Unless you have a 7DII, I'd suggest selling the crop camera and the EF-S lenses if you own them and go for a 6D over the 5D.

 

[SierraDon]

Editing- You just select the text and edit it within the "quote" and "/quote" tags. Much more difficult to do on a phone.


You are aware that the 5D does not have a "self cleaning" sensor, right?

The 6D is likely to be an improvement over your crop camera in most everyday lighting conditions, with a cropped 6D frame being equal or better to the native view of your crop camera. The AF array of the 6D is comparable to what you get in the 5D/5DII with the exception of the center point in the 6D, which is the best of any current canon camera.

Unless you have a 7DII, I'd suggest selling the crop camera and the EF-S lenses if you own them and go for a 6D over the 5D.

Yes, I am aware that the 5D sensor is not self-cleaning.

THANK YOU for your suggestion that the 6D is worth the extra $ over the 5D. Since I have saved enough for a 5D, I will continue to save until early fall- by then maybe I can afford a 6D, and if there is a 6Dll on the horizon, I expect that the prices of even a new 6D will drop a bit.

Right now I can buy a new 6D on the CPW website for what most sellers are asking for a used 6D on Craig's list in northern California. So- prices must have already come down a bit--

I will hold on to the 70D for now, as I like it a lot. It may pair well with a 6D after I save up the $. No big hurry as I don't really need a 6D immediately. I was in a hurry with the 5D due to the end of service issue, but that issue goes away with the 6D

Thanks again for your excellent suggestion

Don