Canon refurb quality

Hi all,

Just got my another Canon refurb lens ef 200 f/2.8 L II. 1st one was a 70-200 f/2.8 L that I returned because it backfocused and it needed to be stopped down for a good IQ.

I just took some test photos and doing some pixel peeping shooting fully open at f/2.8 I noticed it wasn't very good, especially that it was an L lens. When I stop it down by f/3.5 it makes a huge difference. The focus is spot on for this lens - my mistake, see UPDATE below.

Is this normal or a imperfect since its a refurb lens?

I ask because every one has said this is a sharp lens, any comments would be appreciated. I will take some normal photos today wide open and see the results too.

Photos taken from 50D, and confirmed to be the same also on the 30D.
At f/2.8, 1/125, ISO 100 - 100% crop

HTTP response: 404 | MIME changed to 'image/gif' | Byte size: ZERO | PHOTOBUCKET ERROR IMAGE

HTTP response: 404 | MIME changed to 'image/gif' | Byte size: ZERO | PHOTOBUCKET ERROR IMAGE

HTTP response: 404 | MIME changed to 'image/gif' | Byte size: ZERO | PHOTOBUCKET ERROR IMAGE

I'm one to believe that your shutter speed at 200mm is way too slow (unless on a tripod), but the IQ of the first image doesn't look like motion blur to me, but an odd fog, ESPECIALLY considering that shutter speed is even slower.. I usually buy Canon refurbs and have never had a problem but I'd say you should take it to the Canon facility over there in Irvine. That doesn't look normal at all.

I'm in Santa Ana, btw, right by The Block / The Outlets at Orange! Good to see another OC-er!

They were shot on a tripod and set w/2 sec timer, yeah I'll take it to Canon it's not like how everyone raves it is. Maybe that's why it's a refurb. Thanks - yeah nice to meet you MadHatter04, I work in Anaheim pass the Block daily....

madhatter04 wrote in post #16365588
I'm one to believe that your shutter speed at 200mm is way too slow (unless on a tripod), but the IQ of the first image doesn't look like motion blur to me, but an odd fog, ESPECIALLY considering that shutter speed is even slower.. I usually buy Canon refurbs and have never had a problem but I'd say you should take it to the Canon facility over there in Irvine. That doesn't look normal at all.

I'm in Santa Ana, btw, right by The Block / The Outlets at Orange! Good to see another OC-er!

Refurbs are usually excellent. And that lens is also excellent at 2.8. Just send it back and Canon will take care of it.

Not trying to derail this thread. But do canon refurb lenses come in a refurb box like the cameras or do they come in their original box that you would get when buying new/retail?

kevinstinks wrote in post #16365707
Not trying to derail this thread. But do canon refurb lenses come in a refurb box like the cameras or do they come in their original box that you would get when buying new/retail?

The two refurb lenses I've bought came in the same generic white box my 5dIII did.

nightcat wrote in post #16365658
Refurbs are usually excellent. And that lens is also excellent at 2.8. Just send it back and Canon will take care of it.

So far my luck hasn't been good. I took some test photos with my ef 85mm f/1.8 non L and its really really sharp wide open and didn't make any difference stopped down at f/2.2 doing 100% pixel peeping.

kevinstinks wrote in post #16365707
Not trying to derail this thread. But do canon refurb lenses come in a refurb box like the cameras or do they come in their original box that you would get when buying new/retail?

The 70-200 f/2.8 L only came in the Canon zipper pouch no white box, this 200mm f/2.8L came in a white box - so I guess it depends.

Cool. Thanks guys!

If you frequent these forums people will say the refurbs are better than new. I'm nuts I guess. I buy new.

Frodge wrote in post #16366258
If you frequent these forums people will say the refurbs are better than new. I'm nuts I guess. I buy new.

It's heading that way - my 24-105 f/4 new was spot on and no focus issues.....

All Canon refurbs that I have purchased have been in sealed Canon white boxes, and everything has always been like new.

ejhc11 wrote in post #16366333
It's heading that way - my 24-105 f/4 new was spot on and no focus issues.....

This is the way I see it. You can argue the point both ways. I choose to look at the idea this way. The lens/body was built in a factory under a certain set of standards. There will always be things that slip through the cracks, but these standards are usually held to a high standard I you're a good company. When you buy new, you are playing the lottery and hoping you don't get the 1% or less of a failure copy. The failure copies are the ones that are sent back to the stores by the consumer or to the service centers. These are then worked on by another set of hands to get the item back to spec. You have to realize that you are now bringing into the equation another percentage of error in build at this point, maybe more. The easy thing for me to do is buy new, test and send directly back to b&h wih their great return policy and get another new copy. I've worked with small electronics for years. Believe me when I say that it reall does depend on who is working on your item as to the quality of the repair. My bet is that the standards are probably higher in the factory. Just my two cents.

Buying a refurb is justification in ones mind for a cheaper price. If the quality is better than factory, why are the factories in business? Lol.

> Frodge

Makes good sense, I'll give Canon a call tomorrow and send the lens back for a refund instead of the repair. Thanks.