Are ALL brand new Canon lenses defective?

[climber]

I have gotten in the habit of sending my brand new lenses to the Canon Factory Service Center for warranty repair immediately after I buy it. So far every lens has had something wrong with it. This week I sent in my 11-24/4 and my 16-35/4 and both of them had the same problem. The autofocus module was out of alignment causing slight front focus. Does the Canon factory just not get them right? Are the tolerances for new equipment not up to par with the way CFS specs are?

Hi, I would really like to see your tests (perhaps some sort of images) which proves, that these two lenses were defective. Not, because I wouldn't trust you, but because I would like to compare with my lenses.

Thanks

 

[Eldar]

I don´t have a clue on how many Canon lenses I have had over the years. But it is a substantial number and if I include FD lenses, it is probably +100. If I omit a broken tripod collar on a 70-200 f2.8L IS II, from being dropped on a rock and a 135/2.0L, which was beyond repair, also from being dropped on rock, I have not had any EF lens in for service.

I run every lens/body combo through an AFMA exercise and there are normally minor adjustments. But that is at the micro level. If I had to say anything about Canon´s lens quality, it is absolute top notch.

 

[AcutancePhotography]

I have gotten in the habit of sending my brand new lenses to the Canon Factory Service Center for warranty repair immediately after I buy it. So far every lens has had something wrong with it.

Perhaps they are just telling you that there was something "wrong" and they "fixed" it so you, as a customer feel that you actually got something for your effort in sending a perfectly good lens in for warranty service?

 

[NancyP]

I have had 4 new Canon lenses, 3 of which are zooms (more complex), and none have been defective. The 3 used Canon lenses have been good as well. 2 EF-S, 1 EF STM, 1 MP-E, 3 L lenses.

 

[jeffa4444]

For what it is worth... I'm usually a little annoyed when I go through the process of afma'ing my lens and it is right around 0. I think, I just spent an hour for nothing. Then just to warrant the time... I go +1 or -1...

I just did a quick count, and I have 7 Canon lenses, and have previously owned 7 others. I only have one AFMA-equipped body (5DIII), but I've never AFMA'd any of my lenses.

If you have any f 1.2 lenses its not nessisarily manufacturing tolerances thermal changes will shift the point of focus the lenses would have been calibrated in a climate controlled environment I doubt anyone likewise checks them that way. Our MTF / Lens projector room is a constant 20c as when checking anything you need constants for a benchmark. The only certain way to focus is manually.

depends on your shooting habits. If you have several f/1.2 or f/1.4 lenses and you shoot wide open often... then it is well worth making sure that you are hitting focus. If you are shooting at f/8... not as big of a deal.

 

[johnnycash]

This is a nonsense. Canon has a very high standard and a zero defect tolerance. The only lens I ever had to return was a Sigma 12-24 II.
However if we are speaking about focus shifts, it is common with many if not all fast/super fast lenses.

 

[bereninga]

For what it is worth... I'm usually a little annoyed when I go through the process of afma'ing my lens and it is right around 0. I think, I just spent an hour for nothing. Then just to warrant the time... I go +1 or -1...

Hahah This is hilarious!

As to the OP, do you even check the focus before sending in your lenses?

 

[Solar Eagle]

That's just a service center technician trying to justify the time it took to service a lens that didn't need servicing.

THE ANSWER

 

[cid]

I'm just a newbie here with only 4 lenses (Ls) and one non L and so far only
70-200 needed some AFMA nudge and 15-85 didn't fit my 60D then, so I sold it (no AFMA on 60D)

Other than that all other L lenses I tested in shop were totally OK even without any adjustments

 

[GMCPhotographics]

I have gotten in the habit of sending my brand new lenses to the Canon Factory Service Center for warranty repair immediately after I buy it. So far every lens has had something wrong with it. This week I sent in my 11-24/4 and my 16-35/4 and both of them had the same problem. The autofocus module was out of alignment causing slight front focus. Does the Canon factory just not get them right? Are the tolerances for new equipment not up to par with the way CFS specs are?

Sorry...but are you confusing Canon with Sigma lenses?

 

[geekpower]

have you guys considered maybe not feeding the troll?

 

[LonelyBoy]

have you guys considered maybe not feeding the troll?

But... then what else would we do?

 

[Eagle Eye]

I've owned 24 EF lenses since 2004. I've never needed to send in a new lens. My 50mm f/2.5 Macro needed a lot of AFMA, but after dropping money on FoCal and spending hours doing all my lenses, it's the only one for which I've noticed an improvement. Dropped two L's onto concrete in 2008. That caused some alignment problems...

 

[curtisnull]

What I am saying is that I will send a lens to Canon and just ask for "clean and check". Then Canon identifies a problem. I am not telling Canon that I am having a problem with the lens. They are finding it, or so they say. Some lenses just come back saying cleaned, everything is within spec.

 

[Nelu]

Are ALL brand new Canon lenses defective?

Yep!

 

[surapon]

Dear Friends.
I am very Lucky, I have 22 Canon Lenses for long, Long time and never have any problem at all---May be very Lucky or May be I am too old and can not see the difference of Right on Focus or Miss Focus.
BUT, When I miss focus, I must blame my self, Instead of use 1 Point focus aim at my dear wife, But that one spot focus miss my wife and right on the target = the beautiful young lady walk pass her.----Ha, Ha, Ha, I just delete that Photo and shoot another one. Yes, I am a dead man if I show that mistake Photo to my wife.
Good day.
Surapon

 

[Eagle Eye]

What I am saying is that I will send a lens to Canon and just ask for "clean and check". Then Canon identifies a problem. I am not telling Canon that I am having a problem with the lens. They are finding it, or so they say. Some lenses just come back saying cleaned, everything is within spec.

I see. Defective? No. Just outside Canon's quality control tolerances? Maybe. I'm sure Canon's equipment can detect alignment issues that none of us could detect, and those alignment issues happen through everyday use of lenses.

 

[fragilesi]

So far every lens has had something wrong with it.

[quote author=curtisnull]
Some lenses just come back saying cleaned, everything is within spec.
[/quote]

I think you are confused . . .

 

[LonelyBoy]

You know, I'm pretty sure that every car, from a Kia up to a Bugatti, has something on it that could be tightened a bit, or aligned better, if a sufficiently-motivated tech went over it thoroughly.

Car analogies are, of course, always awesome and applicable.

 

[Ozarker]

have you guys considered maybe not feeding the troll?

But... then what else would we do?

Ha! Slow week.