[leewybrian]

I bought my new EF50mm 1.2L Lens from Wing Shing on 27 January 2007. Unfortunately, I found that the auto-focus function of that lens was not operated properly and adequately during the 7 days trial-use period and most of the pictures taken were blurred on the focus point. As a result of the problem, I returned that lens back to the Shop in exchange for a second one on 2 February 2008.

Unluckily, for this second lens (being the Defective Lens returned to Customer Services Department), a more severe but unobvious problems was found. After using the Defective Lens for approximate 3 weeks, I found 2 big problems for that second lens again:-

1)The auto-focus function was still inadequate (but is better than the first one); and
2)A silver-greenish color spot (size: approximately 1.5mm x 1mm) was found on the coating of the second rear lens. Since the spot is on the second rear lens, it cannot be noted easily and was not found until after approximately 3 weeks.

I understand that the second problem is a very severe manufacturing defect, especially for a professional DSLR lens as the L-series lens of Canon. After this experience, I am totally disappointed with the quality control of the Canon products. I would never expect that both problems, especially for the second defect, would happen on the L-series professional lens of Canon with a retail price of over HK$10,000. Does Canon rely on customer checking after purchase as product quality control?

Since the 10-day replacement period allowed by the Shop was expired, I have no choice but returning the Defective Lens to the Customer Service Department of Canon for claiming a replacement. After the checking of the Customer Service Department, they claim that the silver-greenish color spot was only a dust and can be cleaned by opening the internal part of the lens. They also claimed that there was no evidence that such a claimed dust was a manufacturing defect. I am very unsatisfactory and disappointed with the explanation of the Customer Services Department and feel that they are trying to find some excuses to reject the replacement of the Defective Lens, including (1) the spot has no effect on the photo quality, (2) dust can easily drop into the internal part of the lens, even for L-series lens. (3) dust clean on the internal part of lens would not affect the lens and they can do much better that the production line.

To be honest, as customer, can you accept such a severely manufacturing defect (color spot) happening on your newly purchased L-series lens? Can you accept Canon to repair and clean your lens, instead of replacing a new one, as a remedy for the defect? I believe that the answer is “No”. No customers would accept such severely manufacturing defect happening in their newly purchased lens and they would not accept repairing of such defect as a remedy for such defect as well.

I have returned the Defective Lens to Canon Customer Services for about 2 weeks already. I have received any reply from Canon........

If you choose Canon....please think carefully......!!!

[lightcreator]

Well, Canon Lenses QC can be extremely terrible. Always try and check them to death when you buy any Canon lenses. In UK where I lived for 20 years, return policies are so such better - usually 30 days so you have better time to deal with Canon QC problems (however HK is the cheapest place to buy Canon).

Noting the recent 1D III problem with AI-Servo, luckily on all my friends' 1Ds III there are no such problems.

All I can say is buy Canon lenses you got to CHECK VERY CAREFULLY (L-Series and normal series applies).