Refurbished vs. New

[Baker]

Does anyone have any experiencebuying refurbished items from the Canon Direct Store? I am wondering if it is worth the extra $500 to buy a brand new 5D Mark II or if I would be better off buying a refurbished one instead and using the savings to upgrade my 50mm 1.8 to the 1.4


Thanks, Chris

[andnowimbroke]

Buy the Refurb! I

[Chris White]

Hi Chris,


Earlier this year I bought my EF 100mm f/2.8 L IS USM Macro Lens from Canon and it is great. In fact, other than the ginormous Canon refurbished box it came in, you would be hard pressed to tell it from a new copy. Mine still had the Canon date code (not the new ten digit serial number) and although I do not remember it off the top of my head, it was like six months from production when I got it. I take very good care of my gear, and as of today if I placed it next to a brand new one, you would be guessing which one is which.


In short, save the $500 towards some glass to go with it. In addition, if you call in your order rather than order online the sales rep will generally ship it for free, a little more towards the glass. You need to decide fast though, because since the earthquake/tsunami the 5D II is one of the bodies that goes out of stock as fast as they come in. In addition, if the 50mm f/1.4 is next on your wish list, as I type this they have it in stock for $319.99. Actually, currently they have a very nice assortment of glass available -- right now, including the 70-200 f/2.8 IS II, the 70-200 f/4 IS the 24-70 f/2.8 and the 24-105 f/4. By this time tomorrow, most will be "out of stock".


Happy shopping,


Chris

[Don Burkett]

I

[Daniel Browning]

When I want to buy something, I first try craigslist, then photography forums, then vendor used selections (B&H, Adorama, KEH, etc.), then refurb. Finally, if I can

[Sean Setters]

When I want to buy something, I first try craigslist, then photography forums, then vendor used selections (B&H, Adorama, KEH, etc.), then refurb. Finally, if I can't find it anywhere else, I buy new. [img]/emoticons/emotion-2.gif[/img]
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Many times, I find the refurb items direct from Canon to be to the same as or cheaper than the used selections from trusted retailers like B&amp;H, Adorama, and KEH.

[HDNitehawk]

When I want to buy something, I first try craigslist, then photography forums, then vendor used selections (B&amp;H, Adorama, KEH, etc.), then refurb. Finally, if I can't find it anywhere else,

This seems like a logical course:

1. Craigslist: The local thieves and fences unloading the stolen gear. Photographers unloading their bad gear for cash knowing they will never see you again.
2. Photography Forums: Someone unloading their gear that doesn't focus right, has quality issues or is just plain worn out.
3. Vendors: Over priced used gear that at least comes with a return policy if you find it falls incatagory 2.
4. Refurbs from Canon: Manufacture rebuilt it to their own specs. It was a screwed up piece of junk before, now maybe it works right. They give you a 3 month warranty, they would give you 4 months but they know how long it will last.
5. New: Costs the most and if it doesn't work, by gosh they are going to get it back.

Caveat Emptor

[DavidEccleston]

4.5 Canon refurb from Adorama. Just like the refurb from Canon, but Adorama extends the warranty to a full year, just like new, because they really aren

[Daniel Browning]

HDNitehawk, you had me in stitches!

[Baker]

Thanks for the input guys! I just ordered the refurbished 5D Mark II! It should arrive on Tuesday. Longest 6 days of my life....