Acceptable shipment damage?

I wasn't going to post this at first, but changed my mind thinking better to be safe than sorry.

I got my 200L 2.0 2 weeks ago from Amazon. The lens came with its own Canon box and that box was not placed in another regular shipment box (pretty disappointing). To make matters worse, the box was banged up pretty bad (pictures below).

Now, I want to ask everyone out there (possibly those of you who purchased one of these big prime lenses in the past), have you seen anything like this? Would you be concerned with it? Is this acceptable? I know that the lens is packaged in its case inside this box, but I don't know what is considered excessive damage, furthermore, I don't know how much of this can cause damage to the lens.

As far as my amateur eyes can tell, the lens is fine. I cannot see anything wrong with it. What I'm worried is if there could be something in the future.

The box is actually pretty sturdy. It's not one of those cheap shipping boxes, it's a double wall box and for the double wall to bend that way, it must have hit somewhere pretty bad (or so I think).

Amazon's packaging sucks (there was another thread where someone was asking if he should buy from Amazon or not) and if it weren't for the %4 instant cash back, I would never buy this lens from them.

Anyways, your feedback is welcome!

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^I always get that kind of damage when I get my stuff from B&H too, I think the UPS guys are just like whatever *toss packages* and go on with their job. I get angry about seeing how banged up it is but I can overlook it if it he lens performs wonderfully like it should.

If after posting a thread about how amazing the lens is that you are still worried about the state of the box, just return the item and buy from a store where you can inspect the box yourself before paying. That is normal wear and tear from shipping and far from being excessive. The box has done its job and after all the posts about this damaged box, it is ultimately your decision if you can live with it or not. Just enjoy the lens or just return it.

on the other hand if this was a sigma lens...

The lens is amazing and it works. I only posted this hoping someone experienced to say "you don't want to take chances when it comes to IS, something may have happened in shipment that may manifest itself in 3 months even though its fine now" OR the complete opposite which is "it's fine, if it works now, nothing will ever happen to it due to a damage that may have happened during shipment". I don't have enough experience with these types of lenses to make this assessment.

Makes sense? It's not about me feeling better. I love the lens. I'm worried of returning it because a) I have to get a replacement not refund because of the cash back advantages (%4), b) The replacement will also arrive like this without an outer box, and c) There is no guarantee that the replacement lens will not have other issues (focusing/etc.). This being a 6k lens also complicates things, they have like 1 more in stock and they probably sell 1 or 2 of them per year.

caoko wrote in post #16088338
on the other hand if this was a sigma lens...

Can we please not start with that again? Thank you

caoko wrote in post #16088338
on the other hand if this was a sigma lens...

.....maybe it would have knocked it back into focus...

I'm not taking either side here, but I would love to see the reactions of people bashing the OP if they were to purchase a $6000 lens that came in a (somewhat) damaged box.

How can you NOT open it and take pictures in all sides?..it's an 200mm dear!..Hurry up..Open it and start taking pictures...BTW....that​'s pretty normal banging...lens baby inside should be fine.

If there is no damage to the lens, the IS gives you the number of stops for which it's rated, the lens works at all f-stops and no lens elements are decentered, I think you're in the clear.

Am I missing something here - this is a cardboard shipping box, made to protect its contents? It looks like it served its purpose.

Hey Lensguy, I think I would be very very happy with the condition of your box.

I found my old thread, check it out.

https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=980818

Much much better than B&H.

Among issues: Horrible tape that tears every time (every time). No H-taping (Fedex offers free tips on how to properly tape a shipping box). Not enough packaging material (very little use of those pretty useless cell-o air cushions), sometimes completely deflated cell-o air cushions (what's the use of a plastic bag for protection), ripped open, bashed, dented, flattened boxes and product.

Just a few photos of damaged boxes and product (I have more, believe it or not) from B&H, taken immediately after being delivered:

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Oh wow, that 200L box with a thread from 2011 is crazy, if mine came that way, I'd be going crazy. And those B&H pictures? What the heck is that! Did you (koala) end up keeping your lenses and cameras from B&H?

The IS on the lens is a loud one. I initially worried that it may be due to damage but then I went to B&H and check the one they have there and it was similar. The initial IS engagement click is a lot louder than my 70-200 IS II and when IS is working if I get close to the lens, I can hear things moving/grinding, I'm hoping that's OK with this lens. I can also feel with my hands IS engaging and disengaging when that loud tick happens.

I did so many tests with this lens and it performs great (here is my review : https://photography-on-the.net …/showthread.php​?t=1311745), the only thing is I'm not capable and experienced enough to assess any damage nor I can actually see something being wrong with the lens.

I'll take your word for it though, as always POTN is a great source of information and help, if it weren't for you guys, I wouldn't be where I am right now, learned so much already and made so many decisions (the right ones) thanks to this forum.

ctwatkins wrote in post #16088483


Am I missing something here - this is a cardboard shipping box, made to protect its contents? It looks like it served its purpose.

+1

Does the lens operate as expected? If so, move on. However, if you were actually buying the box and the only way you could get it was with the lens inside ... then, I would send it back.

TheLensGuy wrote in post #16088713
Oh wow, that 200L box with a thread from 2011 is crazy, if mine came that way, I'd be going crazy. And those B&H pictures? What the heck is that! Did you (koala) end up keeping your lenses and cameras from B&H?

Yes, I kept most of everything after extensive testing to ensure it was all functioning properly, focusing good, testing IS, testing apertures and focus tracking etc.

I only returned the 1D4 as the actual camera box was also damaged despite the cell-o air cushions, so someone likely got a good deal through CPS/refurb. The worst looking box in that photo actually contained a 24L 1.4 II, and now (after consistently occurring) the Fedex guy leaves notes on the delivery status upon delivery about each damaged package, should I need to return or file a claim.