What exactly is a "class-B" item?

Hi,

I bought a second-hand lens at a bargain price. The lens was clearly marked
as "Class-B" (a round sticker on the box plus a handwritten indication on
the warranty card) but given the low price, I decided to give it a go.

I checked it and it is cosmetically perfect, barrels and optics. The few
pictures I took were fine too (no huge enlargements yet).

I'm really curious about the exact meaning of "class-B": I would have
expected some manufacturing/optical alignent problem but so far I haven't
noticed anything obvious.

 

Well, I think I got the answer in the archives? Class B = "Refurbished"? If
that's really the case, I'd feel better, knowing that I made a bargain ;-)

 

Yeah....Don't carry it around in your pocket.....It might make your,
"you-know-what" turn black and fall off........

 

Possibly a reference to FCC (Federal Communications Commission)
I know about FCC Class A and Class B devices, but I would be surprised that
a 35mm lens would radiate (unless it has been used in some contaminated
area...).

Apparently, "class B" is also used to refer to refurbished items. But I
found so few references to that meaning on the web (2 so far) that I wanted
a confirmation.

 

Some lenses have their own electronics. I have no idea what the lens in
question is, however.

Alan

 

From: "Photon"

It sounds reasonable that it could be refurbished, most suppliers will do
anything to avoid using the ref******ed word. However T.P. would probably
suggest that class B refers to anything not made by Leica! ;^D

Actually the topic of radioactive lenses interests me, is there any truth
whatsoever that the Industar 61L/D is radioactive or is it just nonsense.

 

New items returned and refurbished
cannot be sold as new.
These are commonly referred to as "B goods" or "B stock".

Many returns are the result of buyers remorse or
user error, so these items are often as good as new,
sometimes better, due to more thorough testing,
not to mention deep discounts.

Excelsior, you fatheads!
-Chris-