70 - 300mm L Drama

[protegimus22]

Gutted. Recently bought a new 70 - 300mm f 4.0L is lens and already it has a problem. Keep getting a repetitive whirring sound from inside lens. I reckon the IS has gone south?
The camera's (live view won't engage and the display jumps around the auto focus settings. I have heard that you can tell a bad lens from the serial number anyone know if this is correct or had similar problems. Anyway totally gutted having saved up an splashed out on my first *luxury lens*

[silversnapper1]

If you think it is faulty, why don't you contact the seller and get it repaired/replaced under the warranty?

[protegimus22]

Steve,

As it is only 3 weeks old and I have treated it with kid gloves, you can bet that it is going straight back to the vendor ASAP. I just wanted to get some views or insights from others and share my grief!!

Protegimus

[Cathus]

are you sure the whirring sound isn't just the IS motor, it should happen when you half press the shutter button. It will probably be louder than your normal lens IS because it has more work to do with the bigger lens & much more glass.

The lens won't autofocus in live view, you need to focus by pressing the focus lock button but every time you shift view you will need to refocus as Live view doesn't have have the same focus system as taking still shots.

[Rees]

If you are convinced it is faulty and only three weeks old and it is not a Grey Import and you purchased it in the United Kingdom, then under the sale of goods act, "it is not fit for purpose" you can insist on a replacement, not a repair, or demand your money back.

[rbarry]

Originally Posted by protegimus22

I have heard that you can tell a bad lens from the serial number anyone know if this is correct or had similar problems. Anyway totally gutted having saved up an splashed out on my first *luxury lens*

Where a batch of manufactured goods are later deemed to have an inherent fault or are subject to developing one, it may be possible to isolate which specific examples have that fault from a range of serial numbers. Examples of this are constantly being made in the automotive industry where cars are identified and recalled by their chassis number.

If there is a known fault with your lens then check to see if the manufacturer has identified it on it's website. What the manufacturers won't do is knowingly produce faulty goods, give them a "faulty" serial number and then publish a register of serial numbers affected.

It's possible your lens may be from an affected batch, but it's also possible you have been very unlucky and your one off faulty lens wasn't spotted by QC before it went out to market. As others have already advised, take it back while it's still under warranty. I can understand your dissappointment having spent a considerable amount of money, and hope you don't lose confidence in the product if it's generally revered as a good lens.