Canon Lens Quality Control

trickards

trickards

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Tom
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I am now facing exchanging for a third 17-55mm IS USM lens. The first had two large dust particles - something I would't normally fuss about but this really was dead centre and quite obvious. The second was totally clean but was back focusing by some way.

I know it doesn't have the 'L' designation but it is a ~£800 lens. Has anyone else had a similar experience?

If the next one has a problem should I send it straight to Canon to guarantee a good copy back? Rather than the lucky dip I'm getting with new ones?

Advice appreciated.
 
Mine has some dust and a tiny 1mm scratch near the edge of the front element, never shows up on photos so haven't bothered about it

Think you will struggle to stop the dust, but agree that back focus isn't great, haven't heard about that problem before though.
 
I think Canon does have some QC issues. I had to return a 24-105 F4L due to inconsistent focus issues. The new one is superb.
 
Send it to Canon in Elstree or Fixation or get it exchanged if your not happy. 800 quid is too much money for you to not be 100% happy.

My advice for any one buying expensive Canon glass is to try before you buy. I have found that quality varies from copy to copy and additionally sometimes version A just seems to be better than version B with particular cameras or vice versa.

for example when I bought my 24-70. I tried 3 in the store and checked all of the result on my laptop for sharpness.Using the shop assistant as a subject. There was one lens that was simply better then the other two on my particular camera (1ds mark 3)

I'm sure Canon would argue and may have a point as my tests are not scientific but I do know a sharp lens from a mussy one.

Good luck with this and I hope you get a happy result.

roy
www.royriley.co.uk
 
All zoom lenses will get dust inside them, it is impossible for them to work without "breathing" air in and out as they zoom. The majority of lenses I have owned have also either front or back focused to some extent, I assume this is manufacturing tolerance and why the bodies have focus adjust. As long as the dust does not effect the image and the front or back focus is consistent and can be corrected then I would not worry about it.
 
Thanks for the responses all.

I do understand the basic mechanics of a zoom lens, and as I said I wouldn't normally have fussed had these not been quite so obvious.

The focus issue is more of a problem - my 18-55 kit focus absolutely bang on, so why should I settle for a back focus on a lens around 8x the price? My 550D body does not have a focus adjust, and while the body is probably a little on the low end for the lens being used, I don't think I should need to spend >£1000 on a new body to sort this issue out. The lens should work in its own right.

I am kind of shocked that anyone can defend these two issues on a brand spanking new lens.

I will continue to persevere until it's right, even if that means a postage cost to get it to Canon. I'll report back as this progresses but fingers crossed the next one will be bang on ;).
 
trickards said:
Thanks for the responses all.

I do understand the basic mechanics of a zoom lens, and as I said I wouldn't normally have fussed had these not been quite so obvious.

The focus issue is more of a problem - my 18-55 kit focus absolutely bang on, so why should I settle for a back focus on a lens around 8x the price? My 550D body does not have a focus adjust, and while the body is probably a little on the low end for the lens being used, I don't think I should need to spend >£1000 on a new body to sort this issue out. The lens should work in its own right.

I am kind of shocked that anyone can defend these two issues on a brand spanking new lens.

I will continue to persevere until it's right, even if that means a postage cost to get it to Canon. I'll report back as this progresses but fingers crossed the next one will be bang on ;).
Click to expand...

I am not pro Canon, quite the opposite so not really defending but I have no issue with a wee bit of front or back focus as long as it is consistent, thats what the fine adjust is there for. BTW, it is as likely to be a tolerance issue on the body as it is the lens. The fact that your 550, a mid range camera does not have focus adjust would pee me off way more than the back focus issue !
Seriously, it is a consistent backfocus throught the entire zoom range ? Zooms tend to front focus wide then back focus long ...
 
testbloke said:
I am not pro Canon, quite the opposite so not really defending but I have no issue with a wee bit of front or back focus as long as it is consistent, thats what the fine adjust is there for. BTW, it is as likely to be a tolerance issue on the body as it is the lens. The fact that your 550, a mid range camera does not have focus adjust would pee me off way more than the back focus issue !
Seriously, it is a consistent backfocus throught the entire zoom range ? Zooms tend to front focus wide then back focus long ...
Click to expand...

The back focus was less severe at the wide and more severe at the long end, but it was moving yes. Also, I did test other lenses so I'm sure it's not a body issue.

I'm not sure how you reached the conclusion of "a wee bit of front or back focus" out of "back focusing by some way".

It seems you are tying to make this fit me being a fussy consumer? Are you on a Canon payroll somewhere :lol: ;). I kid of course.

daugirdas said:
when they are ****ed yes they do
Click to expand...
I couldn't agree more.
 
Latest update:

I received my replacement today, another brand new lens. Still not a perfect example, focusing is slightly out - noticeable on the shortest depths of field against a ruler. One speck of dust behind the lens.

Much better example than the other two I've had so this one will be a keeper. Heading to Munich on Saturday so will see how it performs for the week. Any dissatisfaction with the images and I'll send it to Canon - but it's looking promising.

Cheers for reading - I'll post back if this goes anywhere else!
 
Hi
Funny enough. I spent about 1 hour this morning using the in camera correction facility. To correct the same problem between my 7D and 17-55 lens. Thay work perfectly now.
 
I'd prefer not to get the retailers names involved, but I have used 2 different ones. Both well respected UK independents - no grey imports here.

Why do you ask?
 
Yep, both Canon UK dealers listed on the Canon website. I was considering going grey market initially but went for the full warranty instead.
 
All manufacturers have duds and you can be unlucky and get more than one in a row-be grateful you didn't buy Sigma who seem to rely on luck to make a good copy rather than any engineering prowess;)
 
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