Lens Purchase From Hdew (1 Viewer)

[keefee]

Hello Everyone.

I am thinking of buying a new Canon 400 f5.6L lens. It is difficult to buy one at present from the UK Canon main dealers with no projection of how long the wait will be.

I have read a couple of threads regarding using HDEW and KERSO and everone seems to be well satisfied with the service and the offered 3 year EXTEND cover offered by HDEW. I think I am understanding the grey import concept however:

One of my concerns is, what happens if the Canon L lens needs a repair by Canon AFTER the warranty offered by HDEW has expired? I have only found one comment by NEIL-T using KERSO who said he had sent his 7D back for repair and it was sent to Canon and returned in 9 days fixed.

As I, or my insurance would be paying for the repair, the payment is not the issue, more to the point, will Canon accept an L lens originally purchased from someone like HDEW or KERSO for repair? I can understand their reluctance. Has anyone been in this situation yet.

I suppose, the same concern may be expressed when buying a secondhand L lens from someone. You need to see an original purchase document for the lens to identify the original supplier.

Any helpful comments will be appreciated. Sorry for being long winded.

Keefee.

 

[Huntso]

They are pretty solid bits of kit and unless you must have new are a good buy secondhand.
Usually been well looked after and not that much to go wrong, in fact can't recall ever having heard anyone having a problem with one

 

[johnf3f]

I have 8 Canon lenses 5 of which are "L" series. 3 were bought new all the rest were used - I think you might guess that I would suggest you have a look at the used market first but remember prices are high at the moment.
You mention purchasing from KERSO, this guy gets lots of good feedback on various forums and I personally know one gentleman who purchased from him and he found him very good to deal with.

 

[Overread]

Canon lenses bought in the UK only come with a standard 2 year warranty (yes its 2 years now thanks to the EU not the original 1 year). So a 3 year shop warranty is 1 year better on Canon's own.

As for purchasing I've bought twice from Kerso in the past with no problems what so ever - one bonus of Kerso over some of the other grey importers is that the items are shipped to you from Scotland rather than from the country of origin - so you don't get the customs worry of suddenly getting a big import charge (better grey importers will refund you this cost if you get charged, provided you provide them with a receipt from the customs charge - but its still good to not have to worry about that charge to start with).

 

[keefee]

Hello again Huntso, Johnf3f and Overead.

Thanks for your reassuring comments on secondhand. LCE seem to be charging nearly £1000 secondhand: not much less than new. I think I'm erring towards KERSO, he's away until early June, or good secondhand.

Nobody has really commented on whether Canon will, or has accepted their grey import L lens for repair after the warranty period has expired. Am I being overcautious?

Finally,can anyone tell me how to date a Canon lens using the lens serial number please?

Thanks again

Keefee.

 

[Overread]

After the warranty expires all repairs are paid for by yourself unless you have insurance to cover the repair (in the case of accidental damage) or if its an identified product fault from the manufacture stage. As such there is no difference what so ever with a lens bought in Hong Kong or England - the repair costs and process will be the same. So you won't get any problems for having a grey import lens (heck they won't even have to know this fact since after the warranty expires where you bought the lens won't be an issue).

 

[Huntso]

Hi Keefee

Canon will honour the warranty if its an international one, not sure now, but L lenses always came with this, as mentioned above they will repair or service if you pay regardless where it was sourced
MPB, Mifsuds and Ffordes are good for s/hand gear especially the first one named. Worth looking too on photographic forums like Photography On The Net and Talk Photography, the latter has a couple of 400mm f/5.6 on the classifieds for around the 800 quid mark (If you are not already a member they do have a 100 post/30 day qualifying period before you can buy and sell)

Bought mine on TP, it was in pristine condition and the chap even included a camom coat too
See here for the date code explanation
http://www.newschoolofphotography.com/lenses/682-understanding-canon-date-codes.html

Not sure I would worry too much about the age, bit more interested in the condition especially optically

Good luck looking and hope you enjoy it wherever it gets purchased

 

[keefee]

Thank you Overread and Huntso for the follow ups. I think you have now allayed my concerns, as I suspect you might have done for some others, judging by the number of viewings.

Keefee.