Would you keep this "new" Canon 70-200mm F4 L IS USM ?

odd jim said:
I wouldn't be too sure.

My local currys stocks the Canon 5d mkII and I bet they'd be lucky to sell one a month.

The fact is people rarely buy high end gear from the dixons group chain simply because their prices are far too uncompetative.
Click to expand...

But that's why they don't stock much high end photo equipment. And one month isn't three years.

I'm at a loss to know where these lenses could possibly have been since the 2008 manufacture date code, but maybe Musicman's post is a clue - languishing in a Spanish warehouse (possibly under a pile of dodgy cucumbers ;)).
 
HoppyUK said:
That would be crazy. Nobody can afford to have capital tied up like that for more than a few months at most, preferably weeks. They'd go bust in double-quick time. Minimising stock holding is a cornerstone of retailing - if it doesn't turnover fast, it's a special order job.
Click to expand...

Ha, ha, you would think, i bought a brand new sealed in its original packaging "5 years old White" Nikon 300mm f/2.8 prime for the bargain price of £2500 if i remember correctly, i bought it from a well respected London camera shop who were so honest its untrue, they told me that Nikon actually advise their authorised dealers not to sell stock as "New" if its more than 2 years since its manufacture date which is on the original shipping packaging to the suppliers.
 
I picked mine up this morning. Same story with the battered case but the dixons seal on the front was intact. The sticker outside the box had a date of April 2010 and the word RECALL in amongst the other text. When I asked the salesperson about this, she said that at times these high value items will sit on the shelf and remain unsold, after a while they are sent back to the warehouse and sit there gathering dust. Inside the box, everything appeared wrapped up and the lens itself appeared ok. Saw some dust on the inside of the hood and a tiny bit on the soft material around the lens element.

I did expect a brand spanking new "Unbattered" box but the lens appears new "ish" with a manufacture date of 08/2009. I can understand the point that these lenses will not "fly" off the shelves and it maybe a while before they're sold. With the current price, I might just keep it but it still feels like a lot of cash for nearly new. I am also not sure any replacement will be better or I can be guaranteed to get a "new" piece.
 
This is an interesting one, I too ordered one from Dixons and it arrived today, box has no seal at all, but all items are present and correct, but date code is 2008.

I was worried that it was one of the 'bad batch' but can't find a lot if informaion about dates of bad copies.

Here is a sample shot taken with it, does it seem OK to the experts?

IMG_2759.jpg


Filename - IMG_2759.jpg
Make - Canon
Model - Canon EOS 40D
XResolution - 648.00
YResolution - 648.00
ResolutionUnit - Inch
Software - Elements Organizer 9.0
DateTime - 2011:06:04 23:43:10
YCbCrPositioning - Centered
ExifOffset - 202
ExposureTime - 1/125 seconds
FNumber - 4
ExposureProgram - Aperture priority
ISOSpeedRatings - 800
ExifVersion -
DateTimeOriginal - 2011:06:04 18:46:07
DateTimeDigitized - 2011:06:04 18:46:07
ComponentsConfiguration - YCbCr
ShutterSpeedValue - 1/125 seconds
ApertureValue - F 4.00
ExposureBiasValue - 0
MaxApertureValue - F 4.00
MeteringMode - Multi-segment
Flash - Flash not fired, compulsory flash mode
FocalLength - 200 mm
FlashPixVersion -
ColorSpace - Unknown (0xFFFFFFFF)
ExifImageWidth - 3888
ExifImageHeight - 2592
CustomRendered - Normal process
ExposureMode - Auto
White Balance - Auto
SceneCaptureType - Standard

Thumbnail: -
Compression - 6 (JPG)
XResolution - 72
YResolution - 72
ResolutionUnit - Inch
JpegIFOffset - 674
JpegIFByteCount - 6811
 
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You can't tell anything at all from that picture.

And just because it is a few years old, doesn't mean performance has been affected in any way. Why should it? These things should still be perfect after ten years of hard use. Never heard of any 'bad batch' of Canon lenses...

If all is present and correct, and appears as new, and the price is right, then I wouldn't worry. The OP's was something rather different.
 
Musicman said:
There were Canon Recall Notices on the 24-105 f/4L and 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS a few years back (2005/2006).

But it is pretty rare.
Click to expand...

Yes, sorry, that's true. But they were recalled and fixed or replaced due to faulty components. And I'd be happy to buy one of those 'officially' sorted jobbies if it came up.

I thought the reference was to a sub-standard batch that was floating about below the radar, the sort of nonsense that is often the stuff of internet rumours with zero actual substance. I've certainly never heard anything credible.
 
I may still be waking up and awaiting the day's first caffeine ingestion but these are the points which would occur to me:

1. Cosmetically, does the lens look like brand new or are there fingerprints and wear marks?
2. Does the lens function normally? Does it take the sharp images for which this model is renowned?
3. Pity about the hood. Now what's the price of an afternarket hood at say 7Dayshop - bet that won't be the same overblown silly price as the plastic moulding with the word "Canon" stamped on it.
4. Box? Box? Who gives a stuff about the box? How many EBay shoppers get anal about having a nice clean box which then gets shoved away in the loft? Whoever took a photo with a cardboard box? And as to the effect on resale price what about all that use you've given your equipment and all that age it's acquired whilst in your ownership? (Or maybe it's just me who actually makes use of the stuff I buy?)
5. Instruction book? Need an instruction book to make a cup of coffee? Maybe if the instruction book sits un-looked at in the immaculate white cardboard box there's a message involved?
6. Lens bag? See 4. & 5.
 
I'd keep it if its in perfect working order
 
HoppyUK said:
You can't tell anything at all from that picture.

And just because it is a few years old, doesn't mean performance has been affected in any way. Why should it? These things should still be perfect after ten years of hard use. Never heard of any 'bad batch' of Canon lenses...

If all is present and correct, and appears as new, and the price is right, then I wouldn't worry. The OP's was something rather different.
Click to expand...

Sorry I'm a bit of a newbie to this stuff, can you give me some examples of what to shoot to make sure that the lens I have is a sharp one?

I'll set the ISO (it was on auto) what ISO should I set it to?

Also any other settings etc would be appreciated.
 
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ISO 100 + tripod and a remote release (or use the countdown timer)

Take photo of something with plenty of detail. Brick Walls are popular so you can judge sharpness across the whole frame and distortion - make sure the camera is pointing perpendicular to the wall.

Oh, and don't obsess over it unduly.
 
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tikkathreebarrel said:
1. Cosmetically, does the lens look like brand new or are there fingerprints and wear marks?
Click to expand...

Yes.

tikkathreebarrel said:
2. Does the lens function normally? Does it take the sharp images for which this model is renowned?
Click to expand...

Took a couple of shots and seems OK.

tikkathreebarrel said:
3. Pity about the hood. Now what's the price of an afternarket hood at say 7Dayshop - bet that won't be the same overblown silly price as the plastic moulding with the word "Canon" stamped on it.
5. Instruction book? Need an instruction book to make a cup of coffee? Maybe if the instruction book sits un-looked at in the immaculate white cardboard box there's a message involved?
Click to expand...

Agree but Dixons could not offer to supply these and I would only be interested for the resale value.
Canon UK though did email me with a company who would supply any items missing from the box.

tikkathreebarrel said:
4. Box? Box? Who gives a stuff about the box? How many EBay shoppers get anal about having a nice clean box which then gets shoved away in the loft? Whoever took a photo with a cardboard box? And as to the effect on resale price what about all that use you've given your equipment and all that age it's acquired whilst in your ownership? (Or maybe it's just me who actually makes use of the stuff I buy?)
Click to expand...

Condition of the box is not really important, it's only dusty after all.

Have I just convinced myself with your help to keep this? :confused:
 
Lakes_Puma said:
Sorry I'm a bit of a newbie to this stuff, can you give me some examples of what to shoot to make sure that the lens I have is a sharp one?

I'll set the ISO (it was on auto) what ISO should I set it to?

Also any other settings etc would be appreciated.
Click to expand...

Don't worry about test shots per se, just take a pic if something you would normally do, such as a portrait or shot of the cat/dog and see the results.

I'm sure the lens is 100% fine. It's an L series canon so sitting still for a while won't affect it in any way!
 
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are these any better?

IMG_2801.jpg

Filename - IMG_2801.CR2
ImageWidth - 1936
ImageLength - 1288
BitsPerSample - 8 8 8
Compression - 6 (JPG)
Make - Canon
Model - Canon EOS 40D
StripOffset - 48268
Orientation - Top left
StripByteCount - 1013160
XResolution - 72
YResolution - 72
ResolutionUnit - Inch
DateTime - 2011:06:05 11:04:40
ExifOffset - 282
ExposureTime - 1/800 seconds
FNumber - 4
ExposureProgram - Aperture priority
ISOSpeedRatings - 200
ExifVersion - 0221
DateTimeOriginal - 2011:06:05 11:04:40
DateTimeDigitized - 2011:06:05 11:04:40
ComponentsConfiguration - YCbCr
ShutterSpeedValue - 1/790 seconds
ApertureValue - F 4.00
ExposureBiasValue - 0
MeteringMode - Multi-segment
Flash - Flash not fired, compulsory flash mode
FocalLength - 200 mm
UserComment -
SubsecTime - 00
SubsecTimeOriginal - 00
SubsecTimeDigitized - 00
FlashPixVersion - 0100
ColorSpace - sRGB
ExifImageWidth - 3888
ExifImageHeight - 2592
InteroperabilityOffset - 35042
FocalPlaneXResolution - 4438.36
FocalPlaneYResolution - 4445.97
FocalPlaneResolutionUnit - Inch
CustomRendered - Normal process
ExposureMode - Auto
White Balance - Auto
SceneCaptureType - Standard

GPS information: -
GPSVersionID - 2.2.0.0

Maker Note (Vendor): -
Macro mode - Normal
Self timer - Off
Quality - RAW
Flash mode - Not fired
Sequence mode - Single or Timer
Focus mode - One-Shot
Image size - Large
Easy shooting mode - Manual
Digital zoom - None
Contrast - Normal
Saturation - Normal
Sharpness - Low , -32769
ISO Value - 32767
Metering mode - Evaluative
Focus type - Auto
AF point selected -
Exposure mode - Av-priority
Focal length - 70 - 200 mm (1 mm)
Flash activity - Not fired
Flash details -
Focus mode 2 - 65535
Auto ISO - 100
Base ISO - 200
White Balance - Auto
Sequence number - 0
Flash bias - 0 EV
Subject Distance - 14.23
Image Type - Canon EOS 40D
Firmware Version - Firmware Version 1.1.1
Owner Name -
Camera Serial Number - 1130515245 (436219245)
Camera Temperature - 20 C
Sharpness (EOS 1D) - 0
Directory index (EOS 450D) - 2800
File index (EOS 450D) - 102
File number - 000 - 0000
Sharpness (A0) - 2

IMG_2804.jpg

Filename - IMG_2804.CR2
ImageWidth - 1936
ImageLength - 1288
BitsPerSample - 8 8 8
Compression - 6 (JPG)
Make - Canon
Model - Canon EOS 40D
StripOffset - 44472
Orientation - Top left
StripByteCount - 839045
XResolution - 72
YResolution - 72
ResolutionUnit - Inch
DateTime - 2011:06:05 11:05:31
ExifOffset - 282
ExposureTime - 1/1000 seconds
FNumber - 4
ExposureProgram - Aperture priority
ISOSpeedRatings - 200
ExifVersion - 0221
DateTimeOriginal - 2011:06:05 11:05:31
DateTimeDigitized - 2011:06:05 11:05:31
ComponentsConfiguration - YCbCr
ShutterSpeedValue - 1/1024 seconds
ApertureValue - F 4.00
ExposureBiasValue - 0
MeteringMode - Multi-segment
Flash - Flash not fired, compulsory flash mode
FocalLength - 70 mm
UserComment -
SubsecTime - 00
SubsecTimeOriginal - 00
SubsecTimeDigitized - 00
FlashPixVersion - 0100
ColorSpace - sRGB
ExifImageWidth - 3888
ExifImageHeight - 2592
InteroperabilityOffset - 35042
FocalPlaneXResolution - 4438.36
FocalPlaneYResolution - 4445.97
FocalPlaneResolutionUnit - Inch
CustomRendered - Normal process
ExposureMode - Auto
White Balance - Auto
SceneCaptureType - Standard

GPS information: -
GPSVersionID - 2.2.0.0

Maker Note (Vendor): -
Macro mode - Normal
Self timer - Off
Quality - RAW
Flash mode - Not fired
Sequence mode - Single or Timer
Focus mode - One-Shot
Image size - Large
Easy shooting mode - Manual
Digital zoom - None
Contrast - Normal
Saturation - Normal
Sharpness - Low , -32769
ISO Value - 32767
Metering mode - Evaluative
Focus type - Auto
AF point selected -
Exposure mode - Av-priority
Focal length - 70 - 200 mm (1 mm)
Flash activity - Not fired
Flash details -
Focus mode 2 - 65535
Auto ISO - 100
Base ISO - 200
White Balance - Auto
Sequence number - 0
Flash bias - 0 EV
Subject Distance - 9.62
Image Type - Canon EOS 40D
Firmware Version - Firmware Version 1.1.1
Owner Name -
Camera Serial Number - 1130515245 (436219245)
Camera Temperature - 20 C
Sharpness (EOS 1D) - 0
Directory index (EOS 450D) - 2803
File index (EOS 450D) - 102
File number - 000 - 0000
Sharpness (A0) - 2

IMG_2836.jpg

Filename - IMG_2836.CR2
ImageWidth - 1936
ImageLength - 1288
BitsPerSample - 8 8 8
Compression - 6 (JPG)
Make - Canon
Model - Canon EOS 40D
StripOffset - 45772
Orientation - Top left
StripByteCount - 389735
XResolution - 72
YResolution - 72
ResolutionUnit - Inch
DateTime - 2011:06:05 11:25:54
ExifOffset - 282
ExposureTime - 1/800 seconds
FNumber - 4
ExposureProgram - Shutter priority
ISOSpeedRatings - 200
ExifVersion - 0221
DateTimeOriginal - 2011:06:05 11:25:54
DateTimeDigitized - 2011:06:05 11:25:54
ComponentsConfiguration - YCbCr
ShutterSpeedValue - 1/790 seconds
ApertureValue - F 4.00
ExposureBiasValue - 0
MeteringMode - Multi-segment
Flash - Flash not fired, compulsory flash mode
FocalLength - 200 mm
UserComment -
SubsecTime - 00
SubsecTimeOriginal - 00
SubsecTimeDigitized - 00
FlashPixVersion - 0100
ColorSpace - sRGB
ExifImageWidth - 3888
ExifImageHeight - 2592
InteroperabilityOffset - 35042
FocalPlaneXResolution - 4438.36
FocalPlaneYResolution - 4445.97
FocalPlaneResolutionUnit - Inch
CustomRendered - Normal process
ExposureMode - Auto
White Balance - Auto
SceneCaptureType - Standard

GPS information: -
GPSVersionID - 2.2.0.0

Maker Note (Vendor): -
Macro mode - Normal
Self timer - Off
Quality - RAW
Flash mode - Not fired
Sequence mode - Single or Timer
Focus mode - AI Focus
Image size - Large
Easy shooting mode - Manual
Digital zoom - None
Contrast - Normal
Saturation - Normal
Sharpness - Low , -32769
ISO Value - 32767
Metering mode - Evaluative
Focus type - Auto
AF point selected -
Exposure mode - Tv-priority
Focal length - 70 - 200 mm (1 mm)
Flash activity - Not fired
Flash details -
Focus mode 2 - 65535
Auto ISO - 100
Base ISO - 200
White Balance - Auto
Sequence number - 0
Flash bias - 0 EV
Subject Distance - 8.19
Image Type - Canon EOS 40D
Firmware Version - Firmware Version 1.1.1
Owner Name -
Camera Serial Number - 1130515245 (436219245)
Camera Temperature - 22 C
Sharpness (EOS 1D) - 0
Directory index (EOS 450D) - 2835
File index (EOS 450D) - 102
File number - 000 - 0000
Sharpness (A0) - 2
 
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There's exif then there's that!

Looks ok to me but only looking on iPhone at the mo.
 
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Some one mentioned instructions books for making coffee? yea u do need a instruction book to make real coffee. Not that instant pap
 
I would go and complain, they advertised it as "new" and thus it must achieve "new" specifications.

I would complain and expect a hood at least and possibly some sort of compensation with no excuses.
 
odd jim said:
There's exif then there's that!

Looks ok to me but only looking on iPhone at the mo.
Click to expand...

Sorry like I said I'm a bit of a newbie at this and couldn't find a decent program to get exif data in a clipboard format
 
Lakes_Puma said:
Sorry like I said I'm a bit of a newbie at this and couldn't find a decent program to get exif data in a clipboard format
Click to expand...

Nah don't worry about that, more is better than none! Like I said, looks fine so I think you can relax in that the lens itself is fine.
 
odd jim said:
Nah don't worry about that, more is better than none! Like I said, looks fine so I think you can relax in that the lens itself is fine.
Click to expand...

Thanks for taking the time to respond.

I was worried that I'd have had the lens for a while and then someone point out that something was out on it, I don't have a lot to compare the shots to and this is my first L lens (and the most expensive) I have bought.
 
mastertrinity said:
I would go and complain, they advertised it as "new" and thus it must achieve "new" specifications.
Click to expand...

Before I read your reply I had already made the decision that this is just not good enough.

Dixons made no reference that the item would be anything other than "new".

The item is clearly not "new", it's ex-demo, used, second hand or whatever, anything but new.

In light of this I have made the decision to find out who I complain and lodge a complaint since they are trying to pass off old stock as new.
 
still shocking you had to test etc just to see if there is any damage on the lens. as if you bought it from ebay or something.

pff i knew the dixons offer was too good to be true! always a catch!

Today i was shopping at tesco's and they had a offer for all salads. buy one get one free lol i wonder why
 
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pmcgsmurf said:
Before I read your reply I had already made the decision that this is just not good enough.

Dixons made no reference that the item would be anything other than "new".

The item is clearly not "new", it's ex-demo, used, second hand or whatever, anything but new.

In light of this I have made the decision to find out who I complain and lodge a complaint since they are trying to pass off old stock as new.
Click to expand...

It's not just a little mishap either, misleading advertising is illegal let alone complaint worthy. I'm glad you've complained but they better give you some decent compensation because otherwise I would go down the illegal route.
 
This doesn't appear to be an isolated "mishap" either.

I received my web-ordered lens on Friday. Box was battered and dirty. No seal on the box. The corners of the opening flap were bent and well used. The lens was put in upside down so that it wouldn't fit into (and be secured by) the top polystyrene block. There were marks on the front element of the lens and on the outside of the hood. This was not a new lens!

It is being collected today and hopefully being replaced with a new one. Customer services assured me by email yesterday:
"I can verify that the Canon lens is being sold as new I apologise that the unit you received appears to have been used and I have passed this to our Head Office to ensure this does not happen again."

The serial number of the lens I am returning is 364787. The serial of pmcgsmurf's lens is 300869. There is photographic proof of both. Can we post any other known serials of returned lenses here? Just to help Dixons along with the "ensure" bit...
 
I had two lenses one that I picked up as an ex display from Currys at Cribbs Causway.

I have returned that lens now but I'm sorry I forgot to take a note of the serial number.

I have got the delivered one from Dixons, and while it is old (2008) and the box is a little dirty it does seem to function fine, so I'm in two minds of what to do.
 
sounds like dixons are ripping all u guys off sending u refurbs or second hand lenses advertised as new,.

You might as well have bought it from classified ads or ebay. would have probably been in better conditions!
 
Mine was scheduled to be picked up Monday.

Needless to say it is still here and no one has called to collect.

Letter has been sent to Dixons head office and I have given them 14 days for a response.

Now the only thing I want is a "new" lens and I don't care where they get it from.
 
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pmcgsmurf said:
Mine was scheduled to be picked up Monday.

Needless to say it is still here and no one has called to collect.

Letter has been sent to Dixons head office and I have given them 14 days for a response.

Now the only thing I want is a "new" lens and I don't care where they get it from.
Click to expand...

What happens after 14 days?
 
pmcgsmurf said:
I give up and contact my credit card company for a refund.
Click to expand...

I'd just do it now!
 
If I buy a lens and it's advertised as new, I would expect it to be new and everything intact. If it was old stock and the box was damaged etc. I would buy it if the price was right, I would even buy it if the hood was missing, but I would want a serious discount from new.

It sounds like they sold it as new so you have every right to take this up with them, it's up to you if you accept a heavy discount or refund. As far as old stock and factory refurbs being dodgy, I wouldn't worry too much about that, but I said I would expect a refurb to be close to half the retail price.


Does anyone know what was actually going on here though?
http://paradoxoff.com/mass-destruction-of-the-canon-cameras.html

I tell ya those canons technicians are a bit rough ;)
 
the answer is at the bottom of the story

"It might look like Nikon fans orgy but reality is pretty simple. All that gear were damaged during transportation or storage. Canon just can’t allow this stuff to hit the shelves no matter how expensive (or cheap) it is."
 
Glad I bought secondhand, sounds like you are paying more for older lenses in worse condition and/or missing parts than I did for a pristine used example

Hope you all get satisfaction very soon
 
Simon, just put it up here, its in the public interest to know whats going on.
 
I would keep it bit try and get a bit of money back
 
£752 would be a not unreasonable price for a pristine ex-demo or back-of-the-stockroom lens with a year's warranty. I might settle for that if the latest one they send me (if they do!) is in good enough condition. If it's not then I will get my money back and I will have lost nothing other than a bit of time toing and froing.

But that's not the point - I paid for, and should get, a brand new lens at that price and Dixons have agreed that is the case. Furthermore, they are breaking the law if they knowingly (or carelessly) send out used lenses as new and it looks by the testimonies here they have done it more than once with this deal. They have been prosecuted and fined for selling old-as-new in the past.

Has anybody got a sealed new lens delivered out of this deal by any chance?
 
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