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EF 50mm f/1.8 II, real vs fake...


wolf_weber

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<p>So far no reaction here from anyone. Hm..?<br />To the point: My "plastik fantastik' compares to neither of the versions shown in some MEDIA... It does not<br />have<em> "CANON INC MADE IN MALAYSIA"</em> molded or engraved on the bottom rim of the lens. The very text is<br />just printed, albeit rather poorly, and barely visible to the eye, almost like some secret marking. <br />Whether it's an authentic version or another 'fake' I've been trying to find out from <strong>Canon USA</strong>. So far no<br />clarification from them. They even asked for some images. In other words, they want me to to their work.<br />Does anyone have the <strong><em>INFO</em></strong> they (so far) haven't been able to provide..?</p>
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<p>Wolf,</p>

<p>How else can they tell you without pics? You could send it to them but you would have to pay the postage there and back. I don't think you can hold them responsible for not being clairvoyant.</p>

<p>At PhotoExpo in NYC they had a display of real versus counterfeit Canon items. It was quite striking. I was able to identify the fake items fairly easily, but without knowledge of the real thing this would be sometimes quite difficult. I guess Canon, as they are #1, are the the object of much counterfeiting.</p>

Robin Smith
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<p>But Robin,<br>

Over the phone I gave them the lens number, correctly engraved on the seating rim.<br>

I also informed them of purchase time & place and that it came with a <strong>USA warranty</strong><br>

card, still in its place in the original box. Shouldn' that be enough..?</p>

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<blockquote>

<p>I gave them the lens number, correctly engraved on the seating rim.<br /> I also informed them of purchase time & place and that it came with a <strong>USA warranty </strong>card, still in its place in the original box. Shouldn' that be enough..?</p>

</blockquote>

<p>No, because any of that (other than the purchase info) could be counterfeit as well. Even pictures may not be sufficient to prove authenticity if it's a good counterfeit.</p>

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<blockquote>

<p>Over the phone I gave them the lens number, correctly engraved on the seating rim.<br /> I also informed them of purchase time & place and that it came with a <strong>USA warranty</strong><br /> card, still in its place in the original box. Shouldn' that be enough..?</p>

</blockquote>

<p>No, because the serial number and card can be faked, and the time and place of purchase (unless it was an authorized dealer) tells them nothing.</p>

<p>If you buy from reputable, authorized dealers, you usually don't have to worry about counterfeit goods. If you don't buy from one, you're choosing to take the risk. If you bought this from a source other than an authorized dealer, Canon isn't asking you to do their work for them. If you did buy it from an authorized dealer, then send them the pics they are asking for--not a big deal to do--so they can get to the bottom of it and deal with the vendor if the lens is counterfeit.</p>

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<p>Oops,<br>

I should've added that, yes indeed, the lens was purchased new from a reliable <strong>authorized dealer.</strong><br>

Now, as Dick mentioned, a good counterfeit can be hard to tell from an <em>authentic</em>. Way things go...<strong><br /></strong></p>

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<p>Finally a step towards light at the end of... Etc. Thank U <strong>Ed</strong>..!<br>

<em>..."</em><em>The company name is shown in either printed or molded letters"</em>... Wish they'd stipulated: <em >"in barely visible </em><em>printed letters."</em> <br />Also, <strong>Made in Malaysia</strong> is not the co's name. After more phone discussions with a CA rep, I forwarded images relative to my query. <br />No reply yet. Will keep everyone posted.</p>

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<p>No Jeff, for the few times I've used the gizmo, mostly combined with an EF 25 II, no issues... For semi-macro <br />I now prefer the 55-250mm IS STM, in combination with the EF 25. An amazingly inexpensive (here in the USA) light weight workhorse.<br>

Today I called the <strong><em>CA techies</em></strong> again who assured me that by everything I had submitted, they were +/- 95% sure, my version of the 50mm lens <br />is <strong>not a fake</strong>.<br>

Cheers..!</p>

 

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<p>Not at all, James... And U can even stack them to achieve <em><strong>super macro</strong></em>. Kenko makes a quality set. Just don't forget <br />to bring plenty of light (<em>to stack</em>)... For more on <strong>macro extenders</strong> I suggest:<br /> http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-25mm-Extension-Tube-II-Review.aspx</p>
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