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08/08/2006 11:30:53 AM · #1 |
Without checking the serial number on the lens first... ;)
Some of the early 70-300 IS lenses have a problem....
(Don't know if this topic has been covered yet. If it has - sorry....)
I purchased one of these lenses in December last year. I noticed a problem with soft images when taking photos in portrait orientation at 300mm. Landscape was fine.
Then I came across this service notice by Canon:
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To Customers Who Use the EF 70-300 f/4-5.6 IS USM Lens:
We recently informed you of a phenomenon in which some images captured by the EF 70-300 f/4-5.6 IS USM lens appear in insufficient resolution. This phenomenon may be seen at the edge of the frame at the 300mm setting when the camera is held vertically.
Affected Products:
This phenomenon affects all EF 70-300 f/4-5.6 IS USM lenses with a "0" or "1" in the third digit of the (8 digit) serial number. Products that have a third digit of "2" or higher in their serial number are not affected.
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As it turns out, my lens had a 0 as the third character of the serial..
I returned the lens to my retailer and they sent it in to be fixed. Then I was told it will be replaced. Then I was told it will be fixed again.
Anyway .. after about three weeks I got the Lens back today and everything seems to be ok. One thing I did notice though : my original lens had very slight wear and tear marks on the lens barrel, caused by the extension of the lens. These are now gone, which leads me to believe that they replaced the entire lens barrel..... My serial number is still the same.
I also find that lens creep seems to be a lot less after I got the lens back, and that the whole barrel seems to be tighter.
All in all I am VERY happy with this lens. I saw a review on the photozone.de website, and according to them it delivers near-L series quality at a very affordable price. (In comparison with the L series lenses.)
A few questions:
How thorough is photozone.de's reviews?
Has anybody else had a similar problem with their 70-300s, and was the lens replaced or fixed?
Has anybody had any problems after the lens was fixed?
Thanks.
Message edited by author 2006-08-08 11:54:47. |
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08/08/2006 12:19:55 PM · #2 |
Originally posted by aavj:
Has anybody else had a similar problem with their 70-300s, and was the lens replaced or fixed?
Has anybody had any problems after the lens was fixed?
Thanks. |
I sent mine in last week. The post office lost it. So I really have no clue. :( |
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08/08/2006 12:23:55 PM · #3 |
I have always been uphappy with the softness of my pictures at the 300mm end of this lens in portrait mode (thought it was just me LOL) and also the play/movement in the barrel.
I will definitely be looking into this as well. Will let you know what happens
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08/16/2006 01:52:34 PM · #4 |
Just got the lens back from Canon:
8/1/2006 - Mailed postal priority two day
8/10/2006 - post office says it dropped it off (2 days? priority?)
8/11/2006 - Canon emails they have it and it would take up to 10 days
8/13/2006 - Canon says they fixed it and will ship
8/14/2006 - Arrives at my house
I have to commend Canon service. I would also advise against using the US postal Service.
According to my receipt, they replaced the inner lens unit.
I took some quick shots and now portrait mode looks like landscape mode. There used to be a HUGE difference in quality. I will be doing more testing later.
Also sent my camera in the same box. Just got it back in working order. They replaced the cover unit (it was defective - the second on didn't work) updated the firmware, checked out the rest of the camera, and cleaned the sensor. All in less time than it took the post office to deliver it.
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08/16/2006 02:23:00 PM · #5 |
Where do I find the serial number? Thanks.
Lyta |
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08/16/2006 02:33:03 PM · #6 |
| on the box. Don't see it my the lens... |
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08/16/2006 02:39:54 PM · #7 |
| Oh goodness. It's doubtful I still have the box! LOL In fact it seems I've got all my boxes except that one. |
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08/16/2006 02:40:29 PM · #8 |
| Serial number on most Canon lenses is usually in the mount area. There should always be a serial number somewhere on the lens. |
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08/16/2006 02:47:01 PM · #9 |
Your right kirbic it located right above the mount. It's black on black (engraved) so it is hard to see. I just checked mine and I am also effected by the problem. My third number is an "0". Just got off the phone with canon and they are sending me an prepaid USPS label to ship back to them. They said 5 to 7 days for the label to arrive. 3 to 5 to get to the repair center. 7 to 10 days for repair. And another 3 to 5 days to be shipped back. So it looks like I will be out of the lens for a while.
BTW: you have to provide your own shipping box and packing material. Do not ship back in the lens box alone. It must be put inside a shipping box to keep from being damaged.
SDW
ETA: Canon contact number 1-800-828-4040 * option 5
Message edited by author 2006-08-16 14:52:31.
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08/16/2006 02:54:38 PM · #10 |
Found it! Right where you said kirbic! Thanks a mill. I have a 0 as third number but have no idea if my lens suffers fron the malady mentioned - To me I have soft images at both orientations.
Thanks all.
Lyta |
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08/16/2006 03:02:01 PM · #11 |
hmmm...guess I should have taken it off the camera.
I shipped mine (and my 30D) both in their own box inside a bigger box stuffed with crumpled paper. If I had sent it Fedex it would have gotten there a lot sooner. Shipping both together, priority mail, insured for $2000, through USPS, was $18. |
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08/16/2006 03:26:18 PM · #12 |
If i didn't read about this in another thread here, I read it someplace else. Or perhaps another lens had same problem ? it is amazing these things are not discovered while they are still in the testing stages of production.
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08/16/2006 04:52:42 PM · #13 |
Originally posted by dahkota:
8/1/2006 - Mailed postal priority two day
8/10/2006 - post office says it dropped it off (2 days? priority?)
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The USPS sucks, both for tracking and service even on priority shipments.
UPS or FedEX are the way to go.
Aside from letters, the only thing the USPS has ging for it is that you can send books, CD's, software etc at media rate, which is dirt cheap. Extremely slow, but extremely cheap for the weight. |
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