Metallic glitter on new RF 24-105 F4

DennisWe wrote:

Hi everybody,

recently I got myself a new Canon R5. In addition to that I now decided to get a new RF 24-105 F4l as well as a general purpose zoom lens. As the lens arrived today I immediately noticed that there is some kind of metallic glitter on the body of the lens, particulary on the zoom ring and on the focus ring but on other places as well (e.g. some of it found its way into that groove where the lens hood is mounted). Its only a bit but it is noticable.

This glitter (I suppose this are some kind of metal chippings) is removable but its hard to do so on the zoom ring and the focus ring. Its not possible to just blow it away, but it is possible to wipe it away with a cloth.

I wonder wether this is normal? Are those some leftovers of the manufacturing process? Did you have this on your new RF lenses as well? At least it seams as if this glitter did not get inside the lens itself but Im still a bit worried about that.

What is amazing is how many people come on this forum and say: what is this? And then they proceed to describe the issue with several paragraphs of words. I'm just wondering if they understand that this is a photography forum. Might want to start with a picture, that might help.

higheronymous wrote:

DennisWe wrote:

Hi everybody,

recently I got myself a new Canon R5. In addition to that I now decided to get a new RF 24-105 F4l as well as a general purpose zoom lens. As the lens arrived today I immediately noticed that there is some kind of metallic glitter on the body of the lens, particulary on the zoom ring and on the focus ring but on other places as well (e.g. some of it found its way into that groove where the lens hood is mounted). Its only a bit but it is noticable.

This glitter (I suppose this are some kind of metal chippings) is removable but its hard to do so on the zoom ring and the focus ring. Its not possible to just blow it away, but it is possible to wipe it away with a cloth.

I wonder wether this is normal? Are those some leftovers of the manufacturing process? Did you have this on your new RF lenses as well? At least it seams as if this glitter did not get inside the lens itself but Im still a bit worried about that.

What is amazing is how many people come on this forum and say: what is this? And then they proceed to describe the issue with several paragraphs of words. I'm just wondering if they understand that this is a photography forum. Might want to start with a picture, that might help.

I considered taking a picture of this but I feared it would not help anyone. All you can see are tiny spots which look like some kind of ordinary dust but are not which shows in a.) they are reflecting like metal and b.) hard to remove. But in case anyone might find it helpful here is a picture of one of those metal glitters:

Where did you buy this lens?  From a local dealer? On the internet? Do you think you were the first person to open the box?

I've bought three RF lenses and maybe a dozen EF lenses and never saw or heard of such a thing.  I'd be concerned about the source and any prior use/misuse of your lens....

CameraCarl wrote:

Where did you buy this lens? From a local dealer? On the internet? Do you think you were the first person to open the box?

I've bought three RF lenses and maybe a dozen EF lenses and never saw or heard of such a thing. I'd be concerned about the source and any prior use/misuse of your lens....

When I opened the box I found nothing suspicious about it, everything was in its place and looked fine to me, but to be honest, thats what I currently fear too. I bought the lens in an online store which sells allmost everything (not "the big A", but something like it). I prefer buying at specific photography gear dealers but the 24-105 L is currently out of stock everywhere and this store was the only one who had one. Im currently considering wether I should send this lens back and wait until another shop offers it again..

If you are concerned about this "store who must not be named" then I would send the lens back and wait for it to come into stock at a more reputable store. Maybe it is just me but I would never spend more than a few dollars at someplace I didn't trust even if I were desperate to get the lens.

I do also buy everything I can at local camera stores. But in this case none of those had the lens in stock. In europe its extremely difficult to find this lens at the moment. As the shop where I ordered the lens has a good reputation in general (its a large german mail order company) but is not a specific photography store I thought I might give it a try.

I made the decision to send the lens back and get my refund. Maybe Ill get myself the STM-version (this one is widely available) to use it as a spare in the meantime until the camera stores start to offer the F4 L as well.

Thank you for your helpful replies!

You might also consider the RF 24-240.  I bought it as a replacement for my EF 24-105 F4 lens when I went mirrorless and find it a good substitute.  In the US these lenses are readily available, even as refurbished through the Canon USA website.