Q.C. on Refurb lenses

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Archive 2009 · Q.C. on Refurb lenses

godzilabob
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p.1 #1 · Q.C. on Refurb lenses

Hey guys...
Is there any validity to the statement that quality control may be MORE stringent on Canon refurb lenses?
There seems to be alot of comments regarding the 24-70L and getting "good copies" vs not so good copies. I'm considering this lens as well as the 70-200L 2.8is refurbished and am wondering if purchasing these vs. new might increase chances of sharper copies...
Thoughts or proof?
Thank you!

Nov 06, 2009 at 10:20 PM

Dan Martin
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p.1 #2 · Q.C. on Refurb lenses

Refurb doesn't necessarily mean that it was broken or not working in some way. A lot of refurbs are just returns from stores that needed to be repacked.

Nov 06, 2009 at 10:40 PM

trenchmonkey
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p.1 #3 · Q.C. on Refurb lenses

Bob, a factory refurb has been "on the bench" regardless of why it's there. They get calibrated as part of the process.
Off the line only one lens in so many gets tested in this fashion. You probably stand a better chance getting a good one
this way if the particular lens is known to have QC issues. I've bought over a dozen Ls refurbed, only a 24 f1.4
needed a trip back. It returned to me sharp wide open on FF. Used to be a good way to save a few bucks. I think
I figured every 6th lens was free. Of course with the price increases this won't hold true anymore. They're going for
close to what they want for new ones now!

Nov 06, 2009 at 10:54 PM

JoelWilcox
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p.1 #4 · Q.C. on Refurb lenses

godzilabob, I thought all refurbs would be calibrated and therefore more consistent than new, too. Maybe they are, for sharpness. However, I just returned a refurbed 17-55 EF-S for front-focusing. The second refurb is spot on, tho. Bought from Adorama: returned the first lens on Tuesday and had the second lens arrive today (Friday). One year warranty, too. All in all a very good deal.

Nov 06, 2009 at 11:15 PM

godzilabob
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p.1 #5 · Q.C. on Refurb lenses

Thanks you guys,
the other posts have all indicated satisfaction with their refurbs, but I hadn't seen a post on quality control of refurbs vs. new. I thought I had heard refurbs were more stringent testing/retesting.
I too am thinking of purchasing a refurbished body and lenses thru Adorama. Now I just have to research the extended warranty they are so strongly recommending.
I think if I buy with AmExpress, I get an addtl. 1 year warranty thru AmEx, so the 3 year warranty they are selling may not be worth it.

Nov 07, 2009 at 12:31 AM

trenchmonkey
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p.1 #6 · Q.C. on Refurb lenses

the extended warranty they are so strongly recommending
It's no different than their pushing filters...very high profit margin

Use Amex or similar CC.

Nov 07, 2009 at 12:38 AM

CSX700
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p.1 #7 · Q.C. on Refurb lenses

I have 2 refurbs, a 100-400L IS and 70-200 F2.8 IS and both have performed flawlessly since the day I purchased them from B&H. Would consider another refurb whenever I am in the market again.

Nov 07, 2009 at 08:11 AM

Tad Killian
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p.1 #8 · Q.C. on Refurb lenses

I'll take a refurb anyday. Canon, Nikon, whoever you buy from checks it out a second time. My experience has been that refurbs are the way to go.

Nov 07, 2009 at 08:38 AM

mdbassman
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p.1 #9 · Q.C. on Refurb lenses

I have a 300mm f2.8 Canon refurb and it is immaculate and spot on!!!
Dan

Nov 07, 2009 at 04:18 PM

AaronNegro
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p.1 #10 · Q.C. on Refurb lenses

I'm just amazed on one thing from your user info.

How the hell have you got to comment more than 18K times? is there any shutter life limit on fred's commenting system?

That is a WOW from me.

Nov 07, 2009 at 04:29 PM

James Markus
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p.1 #11 · Q.C. on Refurb lenses

I just got a 85mm f1.8 refurb off ebay. One year warranty and I saved about $100. Just put it to the test yesterday in a studio session...really sharp lens.

Nov 07, 2009 at 04:38 PM

garyvot
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p.1 #12 · Q.C. on Refurb lenses

Yes, my understanding is that refurbished items have been through calibration. This year I bought refurb copies 24-105L and a 100 f/2 and both are perfect. I also briefly owned a refurb 70-300 IS that seemed optically fine, though I returned it for other reasons.

So, I have no issues with buying refurbished items.

Nov 07, 2009 at 04:55 PM

Pandacat
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p.1 #13 · Q.C. on Refurb lenses

AaronNegro wrote:
I'm just amazed on one thing from your user info.

How the hell have you got to comment more than 18K times? is there any shutter life limit on fred's commenting system?

That is a WOW from me.

Ten posts per day X Older than rocks = Trenchmonkey

Nov 07, 2009 at 05:20 PM

trenchmonkey
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p.1 #14 · Q.C. on Refurb lenses

AaronNegro wrote:
I'm just amazed on one thing from your user info.

How the hell have you got to comment more than 18K times? is there any shutter life limit on fred's commenting system?

That is a WOW from me.

Pandacat wrote:
Ten posts per day X Older than rocks = Trenchmonkey

older than rocks! Thanks Larry, if you remember the 60's you've gotta be close too

Aaron: I'm a storm front baby...precipitating all over the FM Forums for 5+ years, they add up.

Nov 07, 2009 at 06:02 PM

godzilabob
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p.1 #15 · Q.C. on Refurb lenses

So next question...

Set up for travel + city shots.
Previous posts seem to favor 24-105 + fast prime. I would also bring along 70-200 2.8is because weight really isn't a big consideration for me.

Talking with adorama rep, he strongly suggested (don't know if he knows what he is talking about) 24-70 (instead of 24-105) along with the 70-200 because both are fast.

cost of 5dii + 24-105 kit = refurb 5dii + refurb 24-70.
comments?

Nov 07, 2009 at 06:56 PM

Pandacat
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p.1 #16 · Q.C. on Refurb lenses

Personally, I would do the 24~70 2.8 + 70~200 2.8. For travel, you will find the usefullnes of the zooms far outweigh the appeal of the primes. Plus you are only carrying two lensessessess (Spelling InCorrect [SIC]).

And TMonkey, I was in DaNang in '68 when everything was going Boom, if that gives you any idea about the age of rocks.

Nov 08, 2009 at 01:48 AM

sfrtk
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p.1 #17 · Q.C. on Refurb lenses

I don't know if any of you have had the same experience, but once I called adorama requesting pricing and quotes on products, I received a dozen phone calls and a dozen emails, soon thereafter asking if I was still interested in purchasing those products....I'm assuming the reps there work on commission...

Nov 09, 2009 at 02:53 PM

choochoo
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p.1 #18 · Q.C. on Refurb lenses

Haven't had a problem with factory refurbished lenses or cameras for that matter. You just don't get all the nifty factory packaging, which may hurt the resale value a tad.

Nov 09, 2009 at 06:02 PM

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