So You Want To Know The Repair Cost?

coreypolis wrote in post #2158594
contact the seller, that is really between you and him.

Sorry to hear about the problem you are having op. But not all second hand (or even multiple hand) deals end up like this. My camera and my 70-200 are 2nd hand and they are flawless.

I prefer to buy from folks who I know through the forums - here or on fm. It typically helps to ask your doubts on condition and return etc. and then make a deal. Most folks here sell coz they have realigned their setup - not to get rid of defects....

I will also add that finding a good 100-400 at a good discount to 'brand new' price is very rare!! I'll probably end up buying this lens new than save 200 bucks.

On the other hand, some do. It's because of those that do, I have decided to buy new from now on. The whole point is to get good glass or other equipment and not have to worry about the details. Not to test the character of someone who sells their junk through a forum, possibly even unkowingly.

Totally unrelated to how my "deal" went, I have also decided not to invest in any more lenses with Image Stabalizers in them. I've come to believe they have a limited lifespan at best, or don't work as advertised from the factory, at worst. After reviewing the number of times I actually turned it on, versus the times I used the lens on a tripod or a secure beanbag, I can live without IS, the extra weight and the cost.

canonloader wrote in post #2200058
On the other hand, some do. It's because of those that do, I have decided to buy new from now on. The whole point is to get good glass or other equipment and not have to worry about the details. Not to test the character of someone who sells their junk through a forum, possibly even unkowingly.

That's why you buy from people who are known to be good sellers. That's why you avoid "new" posters who have very few posts on here or FM.

Hey, even if you buy new, you might get a faulty copy or a copy that was damaged in transit.

Too bad that's not a sticky.

canonloader wrote in post #2201435
Too bad that's not a sticky.

Well, i wouldn't say the system is perfect, and it takes a while to read in the positive feedback thread.

For me, i look in the threads from time to time even if I don't sell. So i kinda make notes of people's deals and if they went through well. It still is scary spending a lot and paying a person, but i feel confident if I know their past transactions.

I've saved so much money buying used and the equipment works great. Heck, on one of my lens i got, i keep getting compliments like "did that just come out of the box?!" because it looks like it never was previously used.


In the end, it all comes to research, when buying online(new or used).

It's not about the deal or the money. It's about getting good pictures from a piece of supposedly top notch "L" glass. From reading weeks worth of threads in this forum alone, and being the cynic that I am, I'm just hoping it comes back better than when I sent it out.

Which it hasn't done yet at almost 2 in the afternoon. I must be on the tail end of the Fedex route.

Just an update. The lens was delivered about 10 minutes ago. Very well packed and the box was in perfect shape.

Inside a huge ziplock bag was the lens wrapped in some typing paper and a rubberband. Near the bottom of the repair description and the cost was this:

Service Details
In follow-up to your inguiry, we replaced focusing/IS lens unit, checked all, adjusted & cleaned to factory spec.

So now, we'll see. It does look like the IS unit was having problems, which I suspected all along.

canonloader wrote in post #2158602
Thats not how it works. It just needs to be calibrated cause someone mishandled it then sluffed it off on an unsuspecting buyer. Canon doesn't need the camera to adjust focus on a lens.

It's not about buying used anyway. I added that cause from now on, I buy new and it's my suggestion others do to. for warrantee if nothing else.

that;s one reason to check the seller recommendtaions...

I Simonius wrote in post #2201788
that;s one reason to check the seller recommendtaions...

No doubt. And I have checked out B&H. From now on, they are my "seller".

kidpower wrote in post #2158668
Sorry to hear about your misfortunes.

There are reasons, however, that someone would sell a mint absolutely perfect lens.

I certainly recently sold a lens because I just never used it - it was in perfect nick

mrclark321 wrote in post #2198422
When I baught my 1DMKII it was a refurb with a full warranty but it was backfocusing and seemed to be worse with the 135L. So Canon asked me to send in the camera and also the 135L. The 135L was my sharpest lens and was only a few monthes old, well I got them back after a month and the camera was fixed but the lens was not focusing properly. So off the lens and camera go to Canon again and they tell me that the 135L was dented and the focusing system was jammed. I told them it worked fine before I sent it to them and sent pics to them to prove it. They gave me a brand new 135L and that issue was solved. Not long after that I baught a used 24-105L off an excellent POTN member and had calibration issues with it, this lens was even calibrated by Canon a few monthes back and the repair bill was included in the sale. What I think happened was it was bumped around during shipping and this was enough to put it out of calibration. Canon again wanted me to send in my camera with the lens but I said twice was enough. The lens came back over a month later and the backfocusing issue was repaired and it works great now.
All my lenses except for my 17-40L are under a year old which entitles them to warranty work. So my advice to you is if you buy used make sure it's under a year old.

Dan

I personally have seen delivery persons drop packages on the road

I think it is really important to check and double check all purchases within 7 days of receipt.

Well I'm not about to read this whole thread, but what bothers me the most is that you bought a used lens for only a couple hundred less when you could have gotten new for $200 more. There's very little difference between $1200 and $1400.

Hey Ron, and where were you the day I bought it?

so they replaced the IS unit and calibrated at the original quoted price? Or did they charge you extra?