Notice: Caution Regarding Counterfeit Canon EF 50mm F1.8 II Lenses

Canon Rumors

Who Dey
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Jul 20, 2010
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Thank you for using Canon products.</p>
<p align="left">It has come to our attention that there are instances of counterfeit EF 50mm f/1.8 II lenses for digital SLR cameras being brought into Canon service centers for repair. These counterfeit products have neither  been designed nor manufactured by Canon, yet they fraudulently display the Canon logo and other Canon trademarks, and, as illegal products, they infringe on Canon Inc.’s trademark rights. Canon has taken a strong stance in eradicating these counterfeit products which infringe on the intellectual property rights of our company.</p>
<p align="left">While the exterior of the counterfeit EF 50mm f/1.8 II lens elaborately imitates the exterior of the genuine lens, the parts and electric circuits used inside the counterfeit lens are different from the those used inside the genuine lens. As such, these counterfeit products do not satisfy the safety standards of various countries and the safety/quality standards of Canon. Please note that Canon cannot be held liable for any malfunction, phenomena, damage or injury that occurs due to the use of these counterfeit products, so please exercise caution when making your purchase.</p>
<p align="left">We truly appreciate your continued patronage of Canon products.</p>
<p align="left"><!--more--></p>
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<p><strong>Exterior differences</strong></p>
<p align="left">See below for the differences between genuine and counterfeit products that have been confirmed as of now and that can be identified by customers.</p>
<p align="left">Please review the location of the Company Name on the mount with the lens cap removed as indicated in the image below.</p>
<p align="left"><a href="http://www.canonrumors.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/ef50_lens.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-27676" src="http://www.canonrumors.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/ef50_lens.jpg" alt="ef50_lens" width="244" height="248" /></a></p>
<table border="1">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="top">Genuine</td>
<td>Counterfeit</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top"><a href="http://www.canonrumors.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/ef50_genuine.jpg"><img class="aligncenter wp-image-27677 size-thumbnail" src="http://www.canonrumors.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/ef50_genuine-168x168.jpg" alt="ef50_genuine" width="168" height="168" /></a>

There is a space between “CANON” and “INC.”</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p align="left">The company name is shown in either printed or molded letters (two types exist).</p>
<p><a href="http://www.canonrumors.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/ef50_fake.jpg"><img class="aligncenter wp-image-27678 size-thumbnail" src="http://www.canonrumors.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/ef50_fake-168x168.jpg" alt="ef50_fake" width="168" height="168" /></a>

There is no space between “CANON” and “INC.”</p>
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<p><strong>Support</strong></p>
<div>
<p align="left">If you have not already done so, <a href="https://www.usa.canon.com/internet/portal/us/home/products/registration">please register your Canon Product</a>. By registering, we will be able to notify you via email about future announcements.</p>
<p align="left">This information is for residents of the United States and its five territories only. If you do not reside in the USA or its five territories, please contact the Canon Customer Support Center in your region.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Thank you,

Customer Support Operations

Canon U.S.A., Inc</p>
<table border="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td colspan="2"><strong>Contact Information for Inquiries</strong></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="2">Canon Customer Support Center</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Phone:</td>
<td>1-855-46-CANON</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td></td>
<td>Monday-Friday from 8:00am – Midnight EST</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Email:</td>
<td><a href="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="2">Support options and hours of operation: <a href="http://www.usa.canon.com/support">www.usa.canon.com/support</a></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>Regarding counterfeit products, there is various information on our Web site. Please access the link below for additional information.

<a href="https://www.usa.canon.com/internet/portal/us/home/explore/product-showcases/about-counterfeits" target="_blank">https://www.usa.canon.com/internet/portal/us/home/explore/product-showcases/about-counterfeits</a></p>
</div>
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I wonder if this is basically the Yongnuo 50/1.8 with a different exterior to create a forgery - which will sell for more than double the price of the Yongnuo? It's hard to imagine anybody creating a forgery from scratch, but a few exterior components to fit around an existing, legitimate, very low cost lens - could easily happen.
 
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Steve Balcombe said:
I wonder if this is basically the Yongnuo 50/1.8 with a different exterior to create a forgery - which will sell for more than double the price of the Yongnuo? It's hard to imagine anybody creating a forgery from scratch, but a few exterior components to fit around an existing, legitimate, very low cost lens - could easily happen.

that's exactly what I think it is.
 
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RTPVid said:
Isn't that a bit like counterfeiting $1 bills?

That's what I was thinking. What is the profit margin on counterfeiting this already low-priced lens? I guess it never occurred to whomever that they might want to make some 24-70 2.8s or 70-200 2.8s and so on instead. Lucky for us they don't (I hope) but in the end, I guess it's a lesson to always buy from trusted sources.
 
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Joe M said:
RTPVid said:
Isn't that a bit like counterfeiting $1 bills?

That's what I was thinking. What is the profit margin on counterfeiting this already low-priced lens? I guess it never occurred to whomever that they might want to make some 24-70 2.8s or 70-200 2.8s and so on instead. Lucky for us they don't (I hope) but in the end, I guess it's a lesson to always buy from trusted sources.

Well, as someone pointed out, this is probably a Yongnuo with different shell. So rather easy to do. To make a forgery of the much more advanced 70-200 or 24-70 would be magnitudes more difficult. And I guess rather easy to identify for (semi)pros who already had such lenses in their hands..
 
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LordofTackle said:
Joe M said:
RTPVid said:
Isn't that a bit like counterfeiting $1 bills?

That's what I was thinking. What is the profit margin on counterfeiting this already low-priced lens? I guess it never occurred to whomever that they might want to make some 24-70 2.8s or 70-200 2.8s and so on instead. Lucky for us they don't (I hope) but in the end, I guess it's a lesson to always buy from trusted sources.

Well, as someone pointed out, this is probably a Yongnuo with different shell. So rather easy to do. To make a forgery of the much more advanced 70-200 or 24-70 would be magnitudes more difficult. And I guess rather easy to identify for (semi)pros who already had such lenses in their hands..

Yea, there may not be a big profit margin, but at least there is a knockoff to recase. How would someone make a counterfeit big white, or even one the fast zooms? Try and recase a Tamron or sigma? I don't see that working well.
 
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Ryananthony said:
LordofTackle said:
Joe M said:
RTPVid said:
Isn't that a bit like counterfeiting $1 bills?

That's what I was thinking. What is the profit margin on counterfeiting this already low-priced lens? I guess it never occurred to whomever that they might want to make some 24-70 2.8s or 70-200 2.8s and so on instead. Lucky for us they don't (I hope) but in the end, I guess it's a lesson to always buy from trusted sources.

Well, as someone pointed out, this is probably a Yongnuo with different shell. So rather easy to do. To make a forgery of the much more advanced 70-200 or 24-70 would be magnitudes more difficult. And I guess rather easy to identify for (semi)pros who already had such lenses in their hands..

Yea, there may not be a big profit margin, but at least there is a knockoff to recase. How would someone make a counterfeit big white, or even one the fast zooms? Try and recase a Tamron or sigma? I don't see that working well.

Sigh, yes I know. Was just saying that I'll never understand the amount of effort someone will go through to make a few bucks, as easy as it may be.
 
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Old Sarge said:
slclick said:
There should be an option for those who submit their lens to have it replaced at a special cost. Say $50 USD
Why?

Because someone else should always pay for your mistakes, right? ::)

Actually, that makes sense if you bought a counterfeit lens from a Canon Authorized dealer. If you bought it on fleeBay, you're SOL for good reason.
 
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