Counterfeit serial number

MichaelAwkward · 31 Mar 2015 at 10:34

I bought a used 5D from WEX earlier this month, and enquired with Canon UK about whether it had had the mirror fix. They just called and informed me that the serial number is not valid and is probably counterfeit.

So I contacted WEX and they said they would refund it if I wanted to return it, or in the event that the mirror does fall out I can return it to them for repair. I'm not sure what to do though. I can afford to upgrade to a 6D from HDEW if I do return it, or try and find another 5D in good condition.

Any thoughts?

vanandjuanunited · 31 Mar 2015 at 10:36

Did they not offer any reason for this discovery

An Exception · 31 Mar 2015 at 11:12

^^^
I assume you are talking about a 5Dii?
Seems odd to me. I remember reading someone had a similar issue when buying a 5D from digital Rev. I can't see why anyone would counterfeit a serial unless the camera had been stolen. I'm also not sure if Canon is right in saying it's counterfeit. Perhaps they mean it's grey market and not UK stock. Perhaps some grey market serials are not on their system so they call them 'counterfeit'. Who knows..
If it's the standard 5D, I'd return it and get a 6D or wait a while and get a 5Diii.

2StepSteve · 31 Mar 2015 at 11:12

I'd definitely send it back. You don't know exactly what you have in your hands as it stands. Likely, it's been stolen and its identity changed.

Pretty shocking by Wex, you would have thought that their second hand bodies would be checked to ensure that they are genuine.

A nice excuse to upgrade to a 6D

An Exception · 31 Mar 2015 at 11:14

2StepSteve said:
I'd definitely send it back. You don't know exactly what you have in your hands as it stands. Likely, it's been stolen and its identity changed.

Pretty shocking by Wex, you would have thought that their second hand bodies would be checked to ensure that they are genuine.

A nice excuse to upgrade to a 6D

I bet the body is most probably genuine. It's not like some Chinese company can build a replica 5D and you not be able to tell it's fake.
I think it's just probably grey market.

2StepSteve · 31 Mar 2015 at 11:18

I agree that it's unlikely to be a fake.

If it was grey market, I'd still expect Canon to be able to prove it's genuine. I think it's worth calling Canon back and and asking that question.

An Exception · 31 Mar 2015 at 12:02

See if the serial on the RAW files match the one on the body.

Raymond Lin · 31 Mar 2015 at 12:12

The only reason I can come up with why someone would put a fake serial on a genuine body is if it's stolen. There's no reason otherwise, even if it's grey import. And how did WEX get stock of it in the first place.

D.P. · 31 Mar 2015 at 12:24

Good chance it is gray market.

MichaelAwkward · 31 Mar 2015 at 13:59

vanandjuanunited said:
Did they not offer any reason for this discovery

Who? WEX? No idea, but it was used. I doubt they bother to check all preowned stock for genuine serial numbers.

2StepSteve said:
I'd definitely send it back. You don't know exactly what you have in your hands as it stands. Likely, it's been stolen and its identity changed.

Pretty shocking by Wex, you would have thought that their second hand bodies would be checked to ensure that they are genuine.

A nice excuse to upgrade to a 6D

I don't think it's stolen, it's in really good condition in the original box (matching serial) and the serial number sticker looks authentic.

An Exception said:
I bet the body is most probably genuine. It's not like some Chinese company can build a replica 5D and you not be able to tell it's fake.
I think it's just probably grey market.

Yeah, Canon said the body is likely genuine, just with the serial changed.

An Exception said:
See if the serial on the RAW files match the one on the body.

It doesn't.

I'm tempted to get rid of it and get my money back regardless. I probably overpaid for it too (£367).

D.P. · 31 Mar 2015 at 15:39

Definitely send it back, you wont get it repaired by Canon so it might become a worthless brick.

One of the risks with grey market good is that you have some chance that the gear is stolen or s black market even, since the whole point is the cameras are not delivered through the official channels. E.g., some criminals break into warehouse in china and get a truck load of Asian model Canon cameras. The warehouse tells canon who black list those serial number as stolen and not for resale. The criminals will know this so have to fake serial numbers. The criminals sell the cameras back to company who does grey imports into the UK/US. Now unsuspecting buyers thinking they get a great deal end up with stolen goods that have serial numbers that are either blacklisted or are faked.

MichaelAwkward · 31 Mar 2015 at 16:16

Been on the phone to WEX, they're gonna investigate and hopefully give me a refund.

Still not sure what to replace it with, another 5D? Upgrade to 6D? Sony A7? I've gotten used to full frame with a big viewfinder unfortunately.

An Exception · 31 Mar 2015 at 16:16

D.P. said:
Definitely send it back, you wont get it repaired by Canon so it might become a worthless brick.

There are other repair centres to use, but still.. better to send it back I think. Get something like a 5iii/6D.

An Exception · 31 Mar 2015 at 16:17

MichaelAwkward said:
Been on the phone to WEX, they're gonna investigate and hopefully give me a refund.

Still not sure what to replace it with, another 5D? Upgrade to 6D? Sony A7? I've gotten used to full frame with a big viewfinder unfortunately.

I'd be tempted with an A7ii personally, but it depends what you are using it for I guess.
5D is still a good cam, but way long in the tooth these days.

MichaelAwkward · 31 Mar 2015 at 16:32

Is the only difference between A7/A7ii the IBIS? Hmm. I think the 6D is probably my best bet... a significant upgrade from the 5D and not too expensive (although the £899 price is from HDEW - which I understand is another grey market import?).

I only have a few Canon lenses, and shoot a bit of everything (nothing serious or professional).

MichaelAwkward · 3 Apr 2015 at 14:08

Gone in a totally different direction... for £599 from John Lewis with the lens (20mm f1.7) that I would've otherwise spent more buying separately (Rainforest was only £28 or so cheaper). Was also considering the E-M10 (couldn't justify the E-M5 II) & X-E2 once I'd ruled out getting another bulky DSLR. Spent a bit of time in LCE yesterday playing around with them all.

Really impressed so far, particularly with the build quality and ergonomics. Gonna take some comparisons between it and the 5D whilst I still have it.

Still waiting to hear from WEX about my refund, they said they'd need a couple days to investigate and now they're shut for Easter weekend. Time to sell off the few Canon lenses I have.

D.P. · 3 Apr 2015 at 14:17

you likely wont see a big difference between the GX7 and a 5DC. Dynamic range will actually be better on the panny. The 5DC is more tolerant or weaker glass and technique though due to large pixel pitch.

the m43 lenses are mostly all incredibly sharp, very small and render nicely.

MichaelAwkward · 3 Apr 2015 at 16:24

The primes available were a definite draw of the m43 system. I'd also like to try out some older glass with converters in the future.

Just got back from town again, returned it to John Lewis and walked out with the same thing from the Panasonic Store for £20 less (They removed a 14-42 lens from a kit and gave me it with a brand new 20mm and the sales guy sorted me out with a £50 cashback and free case deal that recently expired). Awesome impressions of the Panasonic brand continue.

MichaelAwkward · 8 Apr 2015 at 12:11

Finally getting it collected for return by Parcelforce today... (fingers crossed). Only took 4 phone calls to 4 different people at WEX and a week to arrange.