Replacement of 350d focus screen

[peapilot]

Does anyone know the price for the above? And how much CSC would charge for this 5 minute job if the camera's not warrantied anymore?

 

[thw]

The focus screen is about S$10 to S20 per piece. Canon fix is about S$20.

 

[syl]

You can D-I-Y. Less than 2 mins. to change it. The instructions come with the package and is easy to follow.

 

[kongping]

Erm, off-topic a little, if my viewfinder has some dust specks and it is not on the mirror, is it likely to be on the focusing screen?

 

[spartacus.ret]

Erm, off-topic a little, if my viewfinder has some dust specks and it is not on the mirror, is it likely to be on the focusing screen?

yes. but i suggest you live with it. i changed my focusing screen twice already caused both times i scratched them whilst trying to clean it. now, i just live with it - saves me money.

 

[peapilot]

lol!! Yes LIVE WITH IT don't make the same mistake I did. Because I'm in Beijing I emailed the Canon service center here and guess how much they quoted me?

RMB 300 for Labour + Parts.

It was a little off the $10 to $20 mark that thw gave me so I replied asking for breakdown of the fees. Guess what it turned out to be?

RMB 240 (SGD $48) for Labour - and RMB 30 (SGD $6) for the focus screen.

Who are they kidding?! FYI someone working at macdonalds here makes about 800RMB a MONTH.

I'm definitely going DIY, but not before getting a set of plastic coated tweezers first...

 

[syl]

I'm definitely going DIY, but not before getting a set of plastic coated tweezers first...

Don't worry, if you buy the replacement kit, the tweezers come with it.

 

[peapilot]

OK I just went down to Beijing's Canon service center and they refused to let me buy the focus screen kit to replace it myself, saying instead that I need to let them do it, and pay the labour fee of close to $50 SGD, which I feel is ridiculous.

I asked to see the supervisor and the guy just said the same thing. Has anyone experienced likewise?

Would that be the case with Singapore's CSC? My camera's no longer warrantied by the way.

Appreciate any help regarding this problem.

Cheers!

 

[syl]

OK I just went down to Beijing's Canon service center and they refused to let me buy the focus screen kit to replace it myself, saying instead that I need to let them do it, and pay the labour fee of close to $50 SGD, which I feel is ridiculous.

I asked to see the supervisor and the guy just said the same thing. Has anyone experienced likewise?

Would that be the case with Singapore's CSC? My camera's no longer warrantied by the way.

Appreciate any help regarding this problem.

Cheers!

I bought a focusing screen for my 5D 10 days ago from Orient Photo in Sim Lim Sq. They are a branch of a large store in Shanghai and they get all their goods from their mother store. If they have, then I'm sure photo stores in Beijing will also have the focusing screen in stock so why don't you buy from them instead of the Beijing's CSC? And see if they will change it for you FOC.

 

[peapilot]

Ahh trust me I've searched the whole of Beijing. The problem with replacement focus screen for the 350d is that Canon doesn't sell it as part of its accessory package. It's not supposed to be user replacement.

With 5D and the 1 series you'll have no problem because the parts are for sale. With the 350d it's only available as a repair item that you have to pay labor fee for.

The cheapest 3rd party focus screen made for the 350d I found is some brandless one over here that still costs $50sgd. With more expensive options being Haoda and Katzeyes.

I did however come across another self declared canon service center (it's funny what you find in china lol) and they charge about $36 for labor+parts so I might just head down to them. I still find it ridiculous how a replacement focus screen for a low end 350d costs more than a professional part, especially since the 1.6crop screen size is so much smaller than a FF one.