Canon 650D Grip Problem - what to do?

Zascar

A mate of mine just got a Canon 650D, and unfortunately it is has this problem: http://asia.cnet.com/canon-eos-650d-faces-front-rubber-grip-problem-62217645.htm

He had a nightmare getting it from Simply Electronics and is gutted to see he may have this problem - and does not want to send it away for another few weeks when he's been waiting several weeks for delivery of his new toy.

What do you think? Is is that big a deal? Should he just wait and see or is it important he gets it fixed now? The reports are so vague I'd say its unlikely its actually going to be a problem.

What would you do?

pete4130

It's cosmetic. If he can live with it for a while until the new toy factor wears off and sends it back then that might be the best option.

If it was bought in a bricks and mortar shop there'd be less hassle to get it sorted I suppose.

5uspect

If Canon are offering free repairs surely you can just send it to ISS?

artyeva

first you say is has the problem, then you say it may have the problem. canon uk says the problem only apply to cameras manufactured between the 31st of may and the 15th of june. has he checked the serial numbers on canon's website?

Zascar

He definitely has one of the cameras that has the problem - verified from the serial number. However he was told that even though it is affected, it may not ever actually surface as the issue has been described. Supposedly its not "Definitely" going to go all white and furry and make your fingers fall off

artyeva

didn't they only say it 'might' cause a 'mild' skin reaction and to wash your hands after using it? personally i'd wait, if the rubber did go white and manky like they say it 'might' then i'd suck it up and send it for repair.

5uspect

So the rubber may go white in a hot, humid environment. Just see if he can drop it into ISS or whoever is the Canon service crowd at the moment. They'll probably change it in 15 minutes.

pete4130

Is it only the grip? sned it off. You don't need it anyway. It just gets in the way. small body full frame are the way to go.

God bless my F100

5uspect

zerohamster

Grips are a few Euro, if he has the problem it won't take a tech to switch it out and it certainly wouldn't be worth the return shipping to hong kong etc...

Shoot me a PM and I'll find the price of the part for your friend if he wants to get another grip.

Snowie

I thought there was a issue with simply electronics and warranty with canon due to the fact there bought in hong kong and sold to europe apposed being bought in europe and sold in europe I know my dad had massive issue with his gear because he bought it all in hong kong and its not supported bye eu canons warranty?

zerohamster

Snowie wrote: »

I thought there was a issue with simply electronics and warranty with canon due to the fact there bought in hong kong and sold to europe apposed being bought in europe and sold in europe I know my dad had massive issue with his gear because he bought it all in hong kong and its not supported bye eu canons warranty?

If imports are grey market as most chinese and hong kong rtailers are then no warranty support as for the lower level gear it is regional not worldwide.

da wiseguy

hi all, i'm the one with the "dodgy" 650d.

i spoke with canon and they were telling me that i really should send it in because "you just never know..." and more importantly that canon might not be offering free replacement grips (and getting them fitted) in the future however far or near that might be. which is part of the problem - it's the lack of definitive info...the whole "there may or may not be a problem" type of thing. i know they are just covering their backs, should something possibly happen (depending on fitness and health levels etc etc).

canon rep told me that ISS would take the camera in to sort the issue, and they might have it for 5 days. i called ISS and the woman i spoke to had no idea about the problem, but said clearly enough that all they would do is to send it back to canon UK and would take 10 days. more misinformation.

i am genuinely not overly concerned with a possible skin reaction...it's the fact that something could go wrong somewhere down the line and if canon stop free repairs then i am lumped with the cost. SE products only come with their own warranty which means sending it back to HK at your own expense and for up to 28 days. and in my experience of waiting for nearly 5 weeks for the camera, this will be a minimum. i received the camera via DHL and called them out of interest as to what it would cost to return the camera to SE (as i was toying with the idea of just sending the thing back to them and ordering from a reputable company with a proper warranty!) and was told it would cost €110. nice. i could return it and get a refund although god knows when that would happen (their website quotes 10 days) and i clearly would not get a refund on the shipping cost.

because of the catalogue of nightmares i have had so far and not even used the camera yet, i am loathe to send it away already. i will always have the warranty thing hanging over me as well as the grip issue. the whole experience of making a major purchase like this and the fun associated with it has gone...which is sad. but i have the camera...i may as well just use it and keep the fingers crossed nothing happens to facilitate the need to send it away.

but anyways! ranting on...apologies.

zerohamster

da wiseguy wrote: »

hi all, i'm the one with the "dodgy" 650d.

i spoke with canon and they were telling me that i really should send it in because "you just never know..." and more importantly that canon might not be offering free replacement grips (and getting them fitted) in the future however far or near that might be. which is part of the problem - it's the lack of definitive info...the whole "there may or may not be a problem" type of thing. i know they are just covering their backs, should something possibly happen (depending on fitness and health levels etc etc).

canon rep told me that ISS would take the camera in to sort the issue, and they might have it for 5 days. i called ISS and the woman i spoke to had no idea about the problem, but said clearly enough that all they would do is to send it back to canon UK and would take 10 days. more misinformation.

i am genuinely not overly concerned with a possible skin reaction...it's the fact that something could go wrong somewhere down the line and if canon stop free repairs then i am lumped with the cost. SE products only come with their own warranty which means sending it back to HK at your own expense and for up to 28 days. and in my experience of waiting for nearly 5 weeks for the camera, this will be a minimum. i received the camera via DHL and called them out of interest as to what it would cost to return the camera to SE (as i was toying with the idea of just sending the thing back to them and ordering from a reputable company with a proper warranty!) and was told it would cost €110. nice. i could return it and get a refund although god knows when that would happen (their website quotes 10 days) and i clearly would not get a refund on the shipping cost.

because of the catalogue of nightmares i have had so far and not even used the camera yet, i am loathe to send it away already. i will always have the warranty thing hanging over me as well as the grip issue. the whole experience of making a major purchase like this and the fun associated with it has gone...which is sad. but i have the camera...i may as well just use it and keep the fingers crossed nothing happens to facilitate the need to send it away.

but anyways! ranting on...apologies.

Hey,

I got your PM there but I figure I may as well post the reply here as the info may benefit others with the same model.

After looking around a little I found a UK site that will sell the front grip of the 650D.
http://www.cameraspareparts.co.uk/frontsideback--rubber-holding-grip-cover-with-tape-for-canon-eos-650d-camera-4377-p.asp

You shouldn't have to worry about problems when you have just bought the camera new and can't enjoy it without worring about any problems that might occur.
As for the grip, if you get the grip+tape part I will fit it for you no problem and it should take me less than 5mins to do so.

I don't think I'll get swamped for saying this but if anyone is worried about their 650d and they buy a grip somewhere I would be happy to help out and fit it if they weren't confident although it is a very simple proceedure and would take up very little of my time and hopefully save people sending the cameras back to HK and the likes

da wiseguy

zerohamster wrote: »

Hey,

I got your PM there but I figure I may as well post the reply here as the info may benefit others with the same model.

After looking around a little I found a UK site that will sell the front grip of the 650D.
http://www.cameraspareparts.co.uk/frontsideback--rubber-holding-grip-cover-with-tape-for-canon-eos-650d-camera-4377-p.asp

You shouldn't have to worry about problems when you have just bought the camera new and can't enjoy it without worring about any problems that might occur.
As for the grip, if you get the grip+tape part I will fit it for you no problem and it should take me less than 5mins to do so.

I don't think I'll get swamped for saying this but if anyone is worried about their 650d and they buy a grip somewhere I would be happy to help out and fit it if they weren't confident although it is a very simple proceedure and would take up very little of my time and hopefully save people sending the cameras back to HK and the likes

i posted this message up on a few other forums and you should be getting PM's in from there shortly....! joking of course

well all i can say is...THANK YOU. you are a gentleman and a scholar - this is much appreciated. i may just get on with the camera and see how i go initially but will certainly look at those grips and just get it done and be done with it. so thank you for the offer and i will get in touch re that. cheers!!

zerohamster

da wiseguy wrote: »

i posted this message up on a few other forums and you should be getting PM's in from there shortly....! joking of course

well all i can say is...THANK YOU. you are a gentleman and a scholar - this is much appreciated. i may just get on with the camera and see how i go initially but will certainly look at those grips and just get it done and be done with it. so thank you for the offer and i will get in touch re that. cheers!!

Hehehe

No problem at all and glad to help! Enjoy stress free photos :rolleyes:

da wiseguy

well today i decided to just say "to hell with it" and charge the battery and get going on using the camera. so for the first time in 2 weeks i opened up the box...and found...the grips are turning white. *sob*

so whilst the possibility was minimal...it happened and the problem must be worse than they expected or have made out as i handled the camera 2 weeks ago for like 10 minutes and it's sat in the box since. not a hot or humid country either (unfortunately).

zerohamster

da wiseguy wrote: »

well today i decided to just say "to hell with it" and charge the battery and get going on using the camera. so for the first time in 2 weeks i opened up the box...and found...the grips are turning white. *sob*

so whilst the possibility was minimal...it happened and the problem must be worse than they expected or have made out as i handled the camera 2 weeks ago for like 10 minutes and it's sat in the box since. not a hot or humid country either (unfortunately).

unlucky!
My offer still stands

rochestown

da wiseguy wrote: »

hi all, i'm the one with the "dodgy" 650d.

i spoke with canon and they were telling me that i really should send it in because "you just never know..." and more importantly that canon might not be offering free replacement grips (and getting them fitted) in the future however far or near that might be. which is part of the problem - it's the lack of definitive info...the whole "there may or may not be a problem" type of thing. i know they are just covering their backs, should something possibly happen (depending on fitness and health levels etc etc).

canon rep told me that ISS would take the camera in to sort the issue, and they might have it for 5 days. i called ISS and the woman i spoke to had no idea about the problem, but said clearly enough that all they would do is to send it back to canon UK and would take 10 days. more misinformation.

i am genuinely not overly concerned with a possible skin reaction...it's the fact that something could go wrong somewhere down the line and if canon stop free repairs then i am lumped with the cost. SE products only come with their own warranty which means sending it back to HK at your own expense and for up to 28 days. and in my experience of waiting for nearly 5 weeks for the camera, this will be a minimum. i received the camera via DHL and called them out of interest as to what it would cost to return the camera to SE (as i was toying with the idea of just sending the thing back to them and ordering from a reputable company with a proper warranty!) and was told it would cost €110. nice. i could return it and get a refund although god knows when that would happen (their website quotes 10 days) and i clearly would not get a refund on the shipping cost.

because of the catalogue of nightmares i have had so far and not even used the camera yet, i am loathe to send it away already. i will always have the warranty thing hanging over me as well as the grip issue. the whole experience of making a major purchase like this and the fun associated with it has gone...which is sad. but i have the camera...i may as well just use it and keep the fingers crossed nothing happens to facilitate the need to send it away.

but anyways! ranting on...apologies.

Hi da wiseguy,

Asides from your problems with SE and the grip - how do you find the camera - i have nearly convinced myself to buy one with the STM 18-135 lens ... would love you hear what your view on the camera, photo and video quality ect was?

Thanks...

da wiseguy

rochestown wrote: »

Hi da wiseguy,

Asides from your problems with SE and the grip - how do you find the camera - i have nearly convinced myself to buy one with the STM 18-135 lens ... would love you hear what your view on the camera, photo and video quality ect was?

Thanks...

Hiya,

Well actually - I've not used it really. I took 2 test shots (which went well!) but apart from that, I've not had a chance to use it. The reason is...is because I sent it back to Canon...!

Thanks for offers zerohamster, but since my last post, I had been reading many many posts on forums like dpreview (very trusted site) that in the US, affected customers were being given replacement cameras rather than having to send them back for repair. Seeing as though it is a major manufacturer defect during production, this seems far more fair than the customer having to be inconvenienced further. I also read on the same forum (as well as others) that UK customers cameras are being sent back to Canon in Germany? But anyways. I decided to put a post up on the Canon Ireland FB page to "complain" (albeit in a polite & professional way). I got contacted back fairly quickly asking for my number and that I would receive a call to discuss further. I did get a call back and talked at length - I was told that Canon US's policy is NOT to replace the units, but to send them back for repair, which is the same policy as Canon Europe. She said I had three options - 1) send back to SE for refund, 2) send back to ISS as per the proceedure or 3) send back to Canon UK myself (odd suggestion!). There are some other parts of the conversation that I won't mention now...but will come back to again another time. She did point out though that, contrary to what the SE site says, Canon themselves have a 12 month manufacturer warranty irrespective of where the product was bought so for any warranty issues, the camera would NOT need to be sent back to SE. There is a further point here re SE but again, I will come back to it again later.

She did say that because of all the hassle, she would arrange for ISS to collect the camera and it would be marked as a "special case" so that it is repaired and returned much quicker. She told me that the norm was 5-6 days, so I thought if it was a "special" instance then it would be 3-4 days maybe? Hmmm. Because of her offer, I felt obliged to accept seeing as though it is Canon direct helping me out. That was on a Thursday evening...ISS then got in touch and were to collect (via Nightline) on Monday morning....they never arrived and eventually picked up on Tuesday at 1:30pm even though I told them my office is closed between 1-2pm (yup - proper old skool). I was told by the Canon rep that ISS send the cameras back to the UK just after lunch, so because my camera wasn't collected until after lunch on Tuesday, it meant it wasn't sent back to the UK until Wednesday. Fine - will be 5-6 days, no worries. Then Friday last week (7 days later...) I called ISS to see what was happening. I was told that the camera was not even looked at until that Wednesday as it was caught up in delays and backlogs caused by the Olympics...?? I should have it back today...but the "special case" treatment didn't happen (apart from the fact that I feel like a special case after all this) and in fact I would have been quicker dropping the camera off myself!!

Grrrrrrrrrrrrr.....

BUT ANYWAYS - hopefully the camera will arrive back today, and that will hopefully be the end of all that...........

rochestown

Fingers crossed for you 'da wiseguy' - sounds like a real nightmare!!

Will look forward to seeing any opinions here if you get the chance to post?

Thanks again...

da wiseguy

rochestown wrote: »

Fingers crossed for you 'da wiseguy' - sounds like a real nightmare!!

Will look forward to seeing any opinions here if you get the chance to post?

Thanks again...

Yeah, totally! Now I am actually looking forward to just getting to use the camera....2 MONTHS after I originally ordered it...!!!!!!