![]() Where practical, a sample evidencing the problem.Complete name, return address, e-mail address and daytime telephone number.Step 1: Package the product and relevant accessories carefully, using ample padding materials and a sturdy mailing container to prevent damage in transit. Like many of us, I have bought and sold gear over time and in all the time with Sigma, this is the first time I have ever needed service, and I have to say that a two day turnaround on a large and complex lens is excellent.Ī big shoutout to Gentec International in Markham Ontario for great service and fast response.WHAT TO DO WHEN SERVICE IS NEEDED ON YOUR SIGMA PRODUCTS IN CANADA I can say that I have owned many Sigma offerings in my time as a photographer and have yet to come to regret a purchase. One of the concerns that buyers will often have with third party products is the quality of experience over the lifetime of the product. The lens focused quickly and the stabilization was evident at 300mm and short distances when used indoors. ![]() The documentation informed me that they had completely rebuilt the optical stabilization system. He proffered a camera body to mount it on and it was immediately clear that the clacking noise was gone. Upon arriving at Gentec's service counter, I was served quickly and a quiet and professional fellow produced my lens. My initial reaction was "wow, did they actually do anything? Is this a mistake?" I missed the opportunity to collect the lens that day, so planned to pick it up on the next business day. To my profound surprise, I received a voicemail the very next day that my lens was available for pickup. More good news as I expected not to have to call and chase the status. I was advised that normal turnaround would be 5-10 business days and that they would call as soon as the lens was ready for pickup. I liked immediately that they acknowledged the problem, and were straight up in saying while rare, they had seen it before and that I should have no worries about them making things right. Greg took the time to check the lens over, and consulted with another service professional. If the spelling of his name is incorrect, that's my fault and I apologize. There I was served immediately by a friendly and helpful chap by name of Greg Rickey. The very pleasant lady at reception directed me to a brightly lit service reception just off the lobby. I arrived at Gentech International and was pleased to discover when I entered that I did not need to go around back, or through the dock area to find service. Canon, well I'll just leave their warranty model lying in the mud where it originates. ![]() Nikon Canada offers a 5 year warranty on lenses. This is a huge benefit to the original buyer, because while one can, and might choose to, purchase extended warranties from a retailer, the length of warranty provided by the manufacturer negated the need for this extra expense for me. The Sigma lens came with a 7 year non-transferable warranty. Thus, I feel for folks who do not have ready access to the authorized service centre. For my use cases, that length of time is untenable. I know that had I sent the lens in through a local retailer, turnaround would be 6-8 weeks. I was immediately thankful that I live just outside of Toronto, so I was able to get the lens to the service centre at Gentech International with a 45 minute drive. So I dug up the invoice and took the lens in for service. As this was new to my experience, I did some searches online and there were reports that in some lenses, in some conditions, the Optical Stabilizer would struggle doing a reset. ![]() I loaned the lens to my friend Rico Forlini, who is an incredibly talented wildlife photographer and he loved the lens, but was not so enamoured of the clacking noise. I recently noticed a clacking noise in the lens. It's sharp, the AF is quick, quicker I think than on the Sports or Contemporary lenses that replaced it, and when I use the lens with a monopod or a tripod, I can offset the size and weight and be very satisfied with my images. It gets limited use due to size, weight and use case, but when used, it's usually in harsher conditions such as climbing through brush, hiking through woods, standing in cold arenas, shooting in humid or damp conditions and more than once getting rained on. In September 2012, I purchased a Sigma 120-300/2.8 DG OS telephoto zoom. Quality of service is critically important. Our camera equipment follows the same pattern. When I get a car, I interview the Service Department because I will see those folks for years and more often that the sales professional. When we make purchases, we all tend to spend a lot of time concerned about the price of acquisition and the buying experience. ![]()
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