Faulty connection CANON EF 28-300 3.5/5.6L IS

[Emcy]

Hello,

I've bought a used CANON EF 28-300 3.5/5.6L IS mentioned as "like new", and I have a 6D Mark2.

After only 3 times, I got this message : 
"Err 01. Communications between the camera and lens is faulty. Clean the lens contact."

Impossible to use the lens anymore.

I've never ever experienced that with any of my lenses.

I still have 3 days to return it for a full refund, but what do you think: if I clean the lens, is there a risk that it starts again (and I will have lost my money), or is it ok to clean it, and I will be good afterward?

The new one is way more expensive. But I love this lens, super convenient when I can't carry several lenses.

Thank you!

[shadowsports · Accepted solution]

Greetings,

Mounting and unmounting a lens usually cleans the contacts.  They would have to be excessively dirty to keep the lens from communicating with the body.  The contacts themselves are rarely an issue unless they are physically damaged.  

I know you love this lens but I would return it as it's just going to be a problem for you in the future.

[Emcy]

Thank you @shadowsports.
That's what I was afraid of...
If a reputable camera store sold it as "like new," it should have been thoroughly cleaned. So it seems something else must be going on.
So sad, but I cannot lose that much money

[LeeP · Accepted solution]

If YOU clean it and it does not work, the seller can claim YOU messed it up.

If it arrived not right, it's not right.

Return it.

Don't let GAS (gear-acquisition syndrome) get in the way of it not being right in the first place.

I wanted a Nikon F and it took two years, but I got a pristine one for a ridiculously low price.

Notify the seller that you are returning it because it is not as advertised and then be prompt in shipping it off.

[Emcy]

Very true, thank you for your advice

[shadowsports]

Exactly @LeeP 🙂

@Emcy

There will always be another lens, and another deal.  👍

[Emcy]

Thank you!

[ebiggs1]

"... it should have been thoroughly cleaned."

They may have cleaned lens itself but I doubt seriously that they cleaned the lens contacts. The fact that Rick pointed out, "Mounting and unmounting a lens usually cleans the contacts.  ...The contacts themselves are rarely an issue ..." means that the problem is likely inside the lens. This makes me in favor of returning it.