Post by bindi on Mar 18, 2008 0:46:28 GMT
Hello everyone!
I have been stretching my budget to pretty scary limits this past week, in preparation for a major birding trip in early May. I was lucky enough to buy a beautiful copy of a 300mm F/4 L IS from ebay. Then late last week I saw a used 100-400mm L at Adorama for a price that I could only just afford (though I had to sell some other gear to afford it , which made me cry!).
It was advertised in `E-' condition, so I rang and emailed Adorama prior to shipment, and asked if it worked properly etc (they said `of course') . I also explained that our customs duties are very high, so I would appreciate if they double checked that it worked prior to shipment.
Anyway yesterday it arrived and I am SO diappointed. On the bright side, UPS is very fast & efficient and I waited only 3 days to receive it. Cosmetically it only has a few marks and its just so wonderful to actually see and feel my first 100-400mm L!
I shot a few pics, and its a soft copy of the lens, but it definitely sharpens up beautifully at F/7.1 (which i normally use for birding anyway), so I was not too unhappy.
But then I started to notice the problems! Firstly, it chows through one fully charged battery in only 15-17 shutter actuations! I went through 3 batteries, just in case the battery was a problem, but these were all fully charged, genuine canon batteries. So I started to worry a bit, that there is an electrical fault.
Then I noticed a new, much bigger fault- the Manual focus does not work at all! I double checked that I'd selected `MF' but it still doesn't work. You can turn the MF ring, but the focus does not alter.
Then finally I was checking the date code, and it turns out to be a 1999 copy. The lens is full of dust. And as i was checking the code out, I could hear something like a bearing rattling around inside of it!!
So i wrote to Adorama explaining the problem, and tried not to sound too bitter. But I let them know I was disappointed, and would like a refund or exchange.
They did write back, saying they would look into it, but have not actually offered a refund or any options as of yet. I'm sure they will clear it up, and I will probably get my money back soon or offer to exchange it for another lens.
So my question is, if they offer to replace it with another used copy, and it sounds like a working copy in their estimation, do you think it would be worth risking it? Or would a refund be better? Do Adorama have a good reputation, do you know?
Thanks for listening, anyway. I don't want to whine, i know these things can happen, but I do feel pretty sad today about the whole thing. This is a beautiful paper weight to have sitting on my table! I just wish I could use it.
I have been stretching my budget to pretty scary limits this past week, in preparation for a major birding trip in early May. I was lucky enough to buy a beautiful copy of a 300mm F/4 L IS from ebay. Then late last week I saw a used 100-400mm L at Adorama for a price that I could only just afford (though I had to sell some other gear to afford it , which made me cry!).
It was advertised in `E-' condition, so I rang and emailed Adorama prior to shipment, and asked if it worked properly etc (they said `of course') . I also explained that our customs duties are very high, so I would appreciate if they double checked that it worked prior to shipment.
Anyway yesterday it arrived and I am SO diappointed. On the bright side, UPS is very fast & efficient and I waited only 3 days to receive it. Cosmetically it only has a few marks and its just so wonderful to actually see and feel my first 100-400mm L!
I shot a few pics, and its a soft copy of the lens, but it definitely sharpens up beautifully at F/7.1 (which i normally use for birding anyway), so I was not too unhappy.
But then I started to notice the problems! Firstly, it chows through one fully charged battery in only 15-17 shutter actuations! I went through 3 batteries, just in case the battery was a problem, but these were all fully charged, genuine canon batteries. So I started to worry a bit, that there is an electrical fault.
Then I noticed a new, much bigger fault- the Manual focus does not work at all! I double checked that I'd selected `MF' but it still doesn't work. You can turn the MF ring, but the focus does not alter.
Then finally I was checking the date code, and it turns out to be a 1999 copy. The lens is full of dust. And as i was checking the code out, I could hear something like a bearing rattling around inside of it!!
So i wrote to Adorama explaining the problem, and tried not to sound too bitter. But I let them know I was disappointed, and would like a refund or exchange.
They did write back, saying they would look into it, but have not actually offered a refund or any options as of yet. I'm sure they will clear it up, and I will probably get my money back soon or offer to exchange it for another lens.
So my question is, if they offer to replace it with another used copy, and it sounds like a working copy in their estimation, do you think it would be worth risking it? Or would a refund be better? Do Adorama have a good reputation, do you know?
Thanks for listening, anyway. I don't want to whine, i know these things can happen, but I do feel pretty sad today about the whole thing. This is a beautiful paper weight to have sitting on my table! I just wish I could use it.
)
