Pages: [1]   Go Down

Author Topic: Fake Canon Lens?  (Read 6892 times)

Cottonsworth

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 8
Fake Canon Lens?
« on: November 26, 2006, 04:55:42 pm »

I brought a Canon EF 20-35mm f/3.5-4.5 USM lens from a private seller.  The main body on the lenses says 28mm but the zoom ring says 20-35mm.  The lenses is obviously a 20-35mm since I can zoom.  Does anyone know why there would be a mismark of 28mm on the body?  Could this be a counterfeit product or is it just a printing error on Canon's part?  Thanks.
Logged

david o

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 310
    • http://www.davidolivier.net
Fake Canon Lens?
« Reply #1 on: November 26, 2006, 05:50:55 pm »

Quote
I brought a Canon EF 20-35mm f/3.5-4.5 USM lens from a private seller.  The main body on the lenses says 28mm but the zoom ring says 20-35mm.  The lenses is obviously a 20-35mm since I can zoom.  Does anyone know why there would be a mismark of 28mm on the body?  Could this be a counterfeit product or is it just a printing error on Canon's part?  Thanks.
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=87212\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
could you post a pic of it
Logged

Cottonsworth

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 8
Fake Canon Lens?
« Reply #2 on: November 26, 2006, 06:26:47 pm »

Here are some pictures.  As you can see, the body clearly says 28mm but you can see where you can adjust from 20-35mm.  Note that on the side picture, it says Canon Zoom Lens EF 20-30mm.  Thanks.
Logged

jani

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 1624
    • Øyet
Fake Canon Lens?
« Reply #3 on: November 26, 2006, 06:48:06 pm »

Quote
Here are some pictures.  As you can see, the body clearly says 28mm but you can see where you can adjust from 20-35mm.  Note that on the side picture, it says Canon Zoom Lens EF 20-30mm.  Thanks.
Unless there was one or several lenses with a misprint by Canon, this is a fake or a Frankenstein monster from parts of the 28mm f/1.8 and 20-35mm.

Here's Canon's data on their lenses, first two are for the 20-35mm, the last two for the 28mm f/1.8:

http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controll...48&modelid=7330
http://www.canon.com/camera-museum/camera/..._35~45_usm.html

http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controll...51&modelid=7302
http://www.canon.com/camera-museum/camera/..._28_18_usm.html
Logged
Jan

Cottonsworth

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 8
Fake Canon Lens?
« Reply #4 on: November 26, 2006, 07:02:44 pm »

Thanks for the reply Jani.  After looking at the links you posted, it seems unlikely that it is a misprint since the bottom half of my lenses looks exactly like the 28mm lenses.  If anyone would like to chime in, I would greatly appreciate it.
Logged

BernardLanguillier

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 13983
    • http://www.flickr.com/photos/bernardlanguillier/sets/
Fake Canon Lens?
« Reply #5 on: November 26, 2006, 10:10:12 pm »

Quote
Thanks for the reply Jani.  After looking at the links you posted, it seems unlikely that it is a misprint since the bottom half of my lenses looks exactly like the 28mm lenses.  If anyone would like to chime in, I would greatly appreciate it.
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=87247\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

Could you please ask your private seller whether he could do the same trick between a Nikon D2x body and a Canon 5D sensor?

Thanks,

Cheers,
Bernard

Sheldon N

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 828
Fake Canon Lens?
« Reply #6 on: November 26, 2006, 11:58:43 pm »

My guess would be that the lens was broken at one time, and when it was repaired the exterior housing of a 28mm f/1.8 was used. If you look at the window for the focus marking, it has a depth of field scale. The 20-35mm does not have this.

If the parts are interchangeable, which it appears that they are, I'd say that there really isn't a problem with keeping the lens if you're happy with it.

This however does affect resale value since the seller should be disclosing that it was repaired. If you got a good price for it I'd say don't worry. If you paid top dollar then I might send an email to the seller asking if he'll accept a return or give a partial refund.
Logged
Sheldon Nalos
[url=http://www.flickr.com

Cottonsworth

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 8
Fake Canon Lens?
« Reply #7 on: November 27, 2006, 12:30:53 am »

Quote
My guess would be that the lens was broken at one time, and when it was repaired the exterior housing of a 28mm f/1.8 was used. If you look at the window for the focus marking, it has a depth of field scale. The 20-35mm does not have this.

If the parts are interchangeable, which it appears that they are, I'd say that there really isn't a problem with keeping the lens if you're happy with it.

This however does affect resale value since the seller should be disclosing that it was repaired. If you got a good price for it I'd say don't worry. If you paid top dollar then I might send an email to the seller asking if he'll accept a return or give a partial refund.
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=87302\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

If that was the case, would that mean that the aperture for this lens is now f/1.8 instead of f/3.5-4.5?  Thank you.
Logged

Sheldon N

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 828
Fake Canon Lens?
« Reply #8 on: November 27, 2006, 01:10:04 am »

Quote
If that was the case, would that mean that the aperture for this lens is now f/1.8 instead of f/3.5-4.5?  Thank you.
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=87305\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

That would be nice, but I doubt that's how it works. The only interchangeable part is probably the plastic shell that goes around the internal components. It has to be entirely a cosmetic modification, otherwise the lens wouldn't work.
« Last Edit: November 27, 2006, 01:10:20 am by Sheldon N »
Logged
Sheldon Nalos
[url=http://www.flickr.com

Cottonsworth

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 8
Fake Canon Lens?
« Reply #9 on: November 27, 2006, 04:33:34 pm »

Thanks for the response Sheldon.

I called Canon today.  They advised me that it is a Frankenstein repair.  Right now, I am hoping that the seller I brought it from would be willing to take it back.  Thanks for all the responses!
Logged

larsrc

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 173
    • http://
Fake Canon Lens?
« Reply #10 on: November 27, 2006, 05:11:24 pm »

Quote
That would be nice, but I doubt that's how it works. The only interchangeable part is probably the plastic shell that goes around the internal components. It has to be entirely a cosmetic modification, otherwise the lens wouldn't work.
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=87308\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

It wouldn't work.  That would require the glass itself to 2.5 times as wide across, not something a simple kludge job could job.

If it did work, it'd be the only zoom with aperture <f/1.8 I'd heard of ever.  Not likely to happen with a repair job.

-Lars
Logged
Pages: [1]   Go Up