White Boxed Lens

Hi All,

thought I'd come out of lurk mode for a bit. I have been here for a while and don't post much but I have a question. I just ordered a 28 - 135mm IS USM lens from Amazon, well it came in yesterday but it was in a plain white box. I am worried about getting gray market lens so I called Canon, their comment was, it is between you and the place you purchased it as to whether it is or is not a US lens with warranty. They said since it had a warranty card it was "probably" OK but the card could be counterfeit too. I have heard of some problems with the lens type so I want to ensure I have at least one year of guaranteed use. Amazon says to contact their pass through vendor which is DB Roth (I have never heard of them) which I have done but I have not received a reply so, what would you think and do?

Thanks,
Dan

Post a pic of the box so we can see it

I've never seen a new lens come in anything other then the red and white Canon lens box. If you have doubts, return it and purchase one from a reputable vendor.

Sounds like it might've been a refurb or a previously returned product with a damaged box that they've sold on. Just how much was the saving over the regular lens?

Really there was only a few dollars difference be B & H and this one. I just bought it because I do a lot of business with Amazon and have had good luck with them and did trust them, now I am not so sure. I would have never though about something like this from them.

I believe refurbs and some "package lenses" (the ones you get when it's a xxx cam and lens combo) come in plain white boxes. A new one should come in the 'official' box as far as I know.

ditto on the refurb -- but it should say refurb on the white box.

I think it was just a used lens, and "DB Roth" was the guy that owned it. He stuck it in a white box.

Hi Lurker--welcome out

I've ordered lots of lenses etc from Amazon and they were all top notch. Did you buy it from Amazon, or a second-party vendor through Amazon?
How does the lens do--sharp? Are you satisfied with it?

I just reread and see that it is second party--well, hope it works out for you. Don't forget to contact the seller if you have questions--sometimes they care enough about feedback that they'll respond and help.

Hope it's all good for you.
Cheers.
Nancy

I just bought a 30D with this same lens as part of the kit from circuit city. The lens came in a plain white box inside the Canon 30D box....maybe what you got was part of a kit that someone split up?

I think Big John hit it right on. I've heard other people who picked up 24-105 with a white box as well and people were suggesting this was taken from a 5d kit.

good luck

My wife's 28-135 also came in a plain white box...in the UK about 6 weeks ago. The dealer is still selling these lenses so it wasn't a one off.

Bob

Looks like you may have your answer...a broken up kit.

So are the dealers buying the kit from Canon and then breaking it up and selling separately? They must be making some money there, I wonder if Canon know? Just like multi-pack foodstuffs, you aren't allowed to sell them separately are you?

roeddel wrote in post #3699861
ditto on the refurb -- but it should say refurb on the white box.

there would also be a sticker on the lens that says refurbished. the plain white box means the lens was a take-off from a 5d kit.

ed rader