How to identify a lens is new?

[canongeek]

Hi,

This may be the stupidest question of the year or decade but how can you tell if the lens that you just received is brand new? Is there some sealed packaging or some kind of plastic on the front of the lens to identify that the lens is new? I've bought the Tamron 28-75 and the Canon 70-200/2.8 L IS USM (just got it yesterday ) and I can't tell if the lens are really brand new.

TIA,
Neil
--
Friends don't let friends shoot jpeg.

 

[jcharlesholt]

Sadly, there appears to be no way of knowing. But the more important question is, does the lens have any problems? If not, and it's still covered by the full manufacturer warranty, then it doesn't matter whether it's new or not.

 

[IndiRebel]

I received my tamron with marks on both front and rear caps of lens. Never bothered to send back as lens was good copy!!

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DR:70-210mm f/3.5-4.5:28-75mm Di:18-55mm:50mm II:Next?

 

[caterpillar]

Went to one of my favorite photo stores in Manila today. I wanted to buy a tripod. One of the salesperson got me a new one from the storage. Really new and unopened box. One of the legs pins/latch was too stiff. Instead of asking the guy to go back to the store room, I decided to get the display copy w/c was better, smoother in operation (the center post had better play, the head part moved better, etc). I just took the newer ballhead from the storeroom as it had better play.

The point? Well, as long as it operates well, the vendor gives it the proper warranty, I wouldn't worry about it.

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• Caterpillar

'Always in the process of changing, growing, and transforming.'

 

[matty78]

There are part number on the lens. I'm not sure about Tamron, but for Canon you can check how old the len is.

Look at this link for more info:
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Canon-Lenses/Canon-Lens-Aging.aspx

It should be some system for other brand as well.

All lens I bought brand new has the manufactoring date about a month before my actual purchase date.

Regards,
Matty78

Hi,

This may be the stupidest question of the year or decade but how
can you tell if the lens that you just received is brand new? Is
there some sealed packaging or some kind of plastic on the front of
the lens to identify that the lens is new? I've bought the Tamron
28-75 and the Canon 70-200/2.8 L IS USM (just got it yesterday )
and I can't tell if the lens are really brand new.

TIA,
Neil
--
Friends don't let friends shoot jpeg.

 

[canongeek]

That is very good information. Thank you!

There are part number on the lens. I'm not sure about Tamron, but
for Canon you can check how old the len is.

Look at this link for more info:
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Canon-Lenses/Canon-Lens-Aging.aspx

It should be some system for other brand as well.

 

[Mark Hewitson]

That is interesting to note. I have just checked my 70-200 IS and it was manufactured in December 2004. I brought it end of Feb 2005.
--
I asked an economist for her phone number and she gave me an estimate!

 

[jamie123]

my 17-40mm f/4L was manufactured in june 2004 and it was shipped to me today from b&h. someone definitely already took it out of the box because there was a fingerprint on the edge and the lens cover at the back wasn't screwed on right so it came off when i took it out of the box. i'm not saying someone has bought and used it before but someone definitely took it out of the box.

i'm not really worried because the lens looks fine so far (couldn't test it yet though because i shoot film with it) and i wouldn't even think of shipping it back to b&h because i'd have to cover the shipping fee (i live in switzerland so it would be rather expensive). even if there was something wrong i'd probably just bring it to a canon service center nearby.

don't get me wrong, i'm not really concerned about the fact that someone already took the lens out of the box and maybe took a few sample shots but i do get the impression that they deliberately send lenses like that overseas because they know their foreign customers are less likely to return a functioning item.

 

[sbcjesjr]

My 70-200 IS arrived yesterday , with a manufactured date of October 2004. I assume some of these High dollar lens sit on the shelf for awhile.