How to determine whether the lens is used or new...?

[enghowe81]

I plan to buy a new Canon lens but I heard there are shops which re-sell used lens as new ones. Is there anyway where I can determine that the lens is brand new? If I'm paying big money for a L lens I'd want to make sure it is a brand new one...


Looking forward to advices and tips on how to solve this. Thanks!

[lculpin]

Easy - shop at a reputable store. B&H, Adorama, MPEX, etc etc. If the price is too good to be true, it probably is.

[Sinh Nhut Nguyen]

To me, I don't think I can tell. I just shop at reputable dealers like B&H, Adorama or BeachCamera and trust them that they would never do such thing.

[Maleko]

Well, apart from if its an OBVIOUS used lens, then it would be difficult to tell. As sais, shop at respected shops.

[George Slusher]

To add one bit: use the links here or on any of Bryan's pages to go to B&H, Adorama, Amazon, J&R, etc. That way, Bryan will get a (small) commission. It doesn't change our cost, at all, and is a good way to keep Bryan posting his great reviews!

[canoli]

Bryan's got a link that explains all about the date coding on Canon glass - well worth the time to print a copy of the codes before you head out to the camera store. If you're buying new and the date isn't within the past year or so, I would question whether it's really a new lens.


Research the new and used prices on reputable sites like B&H and Adorama. Don't believe the ads in the back of the photo mags when you see prices that deviate from B&H and Adorama - those are scam ads trying to rip you off. You may eventually get a legit Canon lens, but it won't be the "awesome deal" they advertised, it'll be the same price (or worse, more) as B&H's and Adorama's...

[Sinh Nhut Nguyen]

To add to Canonli's response, I have 4 lenses and bought them from reputable dealers, when I got them they were all withing 2 months of production.