murphy Loc: Georgia

Hi All: Need a little advice from someone that has some experience with similar problem. Bought a refurb 50 1.4 from Canon that did not focus correctly and sometimes refused to even try. Unfortunately I waited after the 2 week return policy was over to even give it a try. My fault. Sent it back to them to correct. When it came back everything was blurry. Sent it back again. At this time I was told that most of their refurbs were actually returns from various Camera Shops and weren't refurbished at all. To me that's very deceptive and false advertisement. It is now back for the third time. I am burned out on it. Canon should realize it's a real "dud" by now and keep the piece of junk and do something about making this right. That is not the case. I am now waiting for the 3rd time for it to come back. I have no reason to feel confidence in them or their repairs. I have expressed this to them to no avail. Hopefully they will realize it's time to do the right thing. Any advice? Thanks

John_F Loc: Minneapolis, MN

The best reason to run from Canon, ever. Hope Nikon has a better trackrecord. Do we need a new section for gripes about company service.

murphy Loc: Georgia

Your right. I'm considering selling all my Canon and being a traitor!

GaryI Loc: NY & Fla

Interesting, because so far I've had nothing but good experiences dealing with their service department.

However I recently bought a refurbished SX50 from them as a replacement. It seems to work alright, but it doesn't have the "feel" of my original.

I have another camera with them for repair. I'll see how it goes,

Dick Z. Loc: Downers Grove IL

murphy, If you receive the lens back and you still have a focus problem, it may be the contacts on your camera. Clean the camera contacts with alcohol, if that don't work, try the lens on another camera. You didn't mention what camera your using in your post.
I found Canon very friendly and wanting to satisfy. They sure wouldn't want to lose you as a customer.... Again, I would suggest checking the lens on another camera similar to yours.

murphy Loc: Georgia

I would never have expected this. And, I'm sure not happy with them. My first experience with them and it's sure not a good one. I have the Sigma 17-50 2.8 and Sigma 50-150 2,8 and love them. They are Canon Mount and are fantastic. So, I'll stick with Sigma. Canon is out for me. Don't want to go thru this again!

murphy Loc: Georgia

I have already checked my contacts on both my 60D and my T3i, nothing wrong there and have no problems with my other lenses. Canon verified that it needed repair when they received it back and it sure did! and it sure does again now for the 3rd time! I'm really shocked by them, would never have expected this.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

I deal with Canon Service every month, sometimes several times a month and my experiences have been at least 80% positive. One thing I have found is that your explanation of the issue needs to be expressed EXPLICITLY as any ambiguity in your explanation easily gets ignored.
Saying "it won't focus" will not get much examination done. Saying "it is slow to focus in AV mode on my XXX camera and often will not focus at all" will get a much more intense examination of the lens and usually lead to more effective diagnosis and repair.
I sent in a 5D3 awhile back that the customer had mounted an EFS lens on and damaged the mirror with the full explanation included. Canon replaced the mirror assembly and returned the camera. As soon as we tried it out we found out the shutter had also been damaged by the mirror issue but they had never even checked the shutter. Back it went, but the warranty had expired two days before I returned it and they wanted to charge for the shutter. Three phone calls to customer service supervisors later and it got repaired under warranty, luckily.
Good luck.

murphy Loc: Georgia

Hope it all works out for you. If they get it right the first time or even the second, but they are on the third try! I'm not happy. And now I will have a hard time trusting the lens will keep performing right, if it is right when it comes back. Frustrating! I don't know what will happen next. Real tired of the frustration and the back and forth business!

Dick Z. Loc: Downers Grove IL

:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

ebbote Loc: Hockley, Texas

I bought a Canon 1.4 USM lens off of ebay, the seller said it
had focusing problems, for the price I took a chance. Sure enough it had problems focusing, I cleaned the contacts
real good, I had me a perfect lens and it looks like new.

murphy Loc: Georgia

Well, I guess I fall in the other 20%. Wish I didn't. I just will never give them an opportunity to do this again. Unfortunately I have 3 Canons, an Xti, T3i and a 60D. I am seriously considering selling them.

Reinaldokool Loc: San Rafael, CA

Since you didn't mention the vendor, I would assume it is not Adorama, Cameta, B&H, KEH or Amazon. I have purchased "factory refurbished" cameras, projectors, lenses or flashes from each of those. Never had a problem.

Since you are beyond the return period, if you want good repair, you can send it to C.R.I.S. in Arizona. They have repaired several lenses for me. They are authorized repair for many brands and have the latest testbench equipment. You send them the lens. They call or email you with a firm estimate. (Which, in each case, was very reasonable.) You authorize the repair or tell them to return it to you. Each time I have done this, they have performed admirably.

Sorry for your misery.

Dlevon Loc: New Jersey

Don't be foolish! Remember the grass is always greener on the other side of the street, until its "your grass"! I've had good experiences with them. Maybe my luck!

murphy Loc: Georgia

It was bought directly from Canon. As most people think that buying a refurb for Canon is best because the Canon Tech's worked on them. Nope, it was not refurbed, it was a return. I wish I had bought from b & H, Adorama or one of the reputable dealers.