I've had three experiences with Canon Canada for servicing. The second time was really straight forward with a repair / replacement of a broken hot shoe for a 580 EX flash. They stated around 10 business days for a turnaround and got it done in half the time. Flash was fine with an additional 30 or 90 day warranty.


Second time was when they contacted me to inform me of the free update to the 5D to fix the mirror problem. Went smoothly as silk with free shipment, pre-arranged authorization numbers, and everything else. Time of repairs was quoted as around 20 business days and it was back after about a week and a half.


The first time wasn't so quick. I was a early purchaser of the 24-105mm F4L IS zoom lens, the one that had the flare problem in the early serial numbers. I was totally disappointed with the problem but was pleased with the recall to fix the problem. I didn't want to part with the lens but sent it in for the free fix. I sent in the lens in the original box, without the lens hood or leather pouch to save weight for shipment. I sent it off sometime in September if I remember correctly and heard NOTHING for a long time. I was starting to get upset after it had passed two months and was about to call or send a letter of concern. Well, just before New Year, a courier package arrived. My lens had returned! But it was not my lens! It was a BRAND NEW one, complete in box so I ended up with a spare lens hood and leather pouch. I suspect they were going to update the lens but ran out of time, had no resources, etc so they ended up giving me a brand new lens.


So, kind of a mixed bag.