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 p.1 #1 · My first real Canon annoyance! :) | |
I bought a 100/2 new from Beach, it back focuses by about 5' @ 50' on my 5d, and front focuses by about 15' @ 50' on my mk2. I know, it makes no sense, but it 100% repeatable on both bodies. I even reset all settings on both cameras just in case there was a screwy setting somewhere causing grief. The lens does fine up close, but is pretty much unusable at about 20' and on. Here's how it all has gone...
Sent lens to Canon Irvine.
About 10 days later I call to check on the repair. They entered my email address incorrectly, and sent an authorization request to the wrong address. They also couldn't find a copy of the receipt. The note I sent them was on the back of the receipt, and the note even mentioned being on the back of the receipt. Once I told them where the receipt was, they no longer needed authorization since it's covered under warranty.
Lens arrives a few days later. The notes in the form say some electronic adjustments were made, and they would like me to send in the body if the issue persists. Testing shows the exact same issue.
I call Canon Tech Support to ask what I should do since I'm not willing to send in the body. I tell the guy that bodies are spot on with the 400/5.6, 70-200/4 is, 24-104, and Tokina 17, so I would not allow any focus changes to be made to the camera. He suggests I send the lens to Canon New Jersey, because they're bigger, and have been around a little longer (not joking).
Sent lens back to Canon Irvine.
About 10 days later (today) I call Canon to check the status of the lens since I've heard nothing for the past week and a half. Apparently they called yesterday to try and get me to send in the body, but left no message and my caller id says otherwise. The nice lady on the phone tells me that the only thing they can do is send my lens back to me, and I tell her that I'm extremely dissatisfied with the lens. Just so you know, all conversation has been completely polite, though the letter I sent with the lens (2nd time) definitely reflected some irritation. She was about to let me go, but then asks me to hold. She comes back on the line with "Jim", I think he's the manager of the repair department in Irvine. The conversation is weird from here on out. The only thing I can figure is that he thinks I'm some sort of snake who is trying to get over on them somehow, but I haven't asked for any sort of treat/voucher/freebie/refund. I explain the issues, and is extremely aggressive in attempting to explain how this is impossible. He attempts to get slightly technical, but then had no idea about the Canon date code! Yes, I'm serious! He wrote down to have them test the lens with several different bodies, and that's really about as much as I can ask for right now.
So, that's where it's at. I've had several great experiences with Canon Irvine in the past, though you could argue I shouldn't even have had an opportunity to know whether they're great or not. This one hasn't been so great, and I wouldn't even care about the mishaps if the lens just worked. I suspect the lens is going to come back the same, and I'm not going to keep it if it's only usable at shorter distances. Then I'll have to sell it for next to nothing because of the issues I'll disclose, since my integrity is worth more than a few hundred bucks to me.
I wasn't quick to blame the lens, I thoroughly tested it on both bodies, and even retested my other lenses for comparison. I reset all settings and custom functions as well, no change. The front and back focusing was completely repeatable on both bodies. I certainly concede that it's possible this whole mess is self induced. I've had a couple/few other lenses that either front or back focused, and they were returned from Canon spot on. I know the techs at Canon are a billion times more experienced than I am, so I can't help but think the odds are I'm wrong here, but my experience says otherwise. I deleted the test pics unfortunately, but all testing done in one-shot, center af, and tested on both high and low contrast subjects.
By chance has anyone has a similar lens issue?
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However I had much better luck with Irvine than NJ. Eventually they will fix or replace the item if you are persistent enough.
Other programs are also acting up.