Scratch (or something) inside a new lens

05/15/2007 03:28:21 PM · #1

I just got a new Nikon D80 with a 18-135 zoom about two weeks ago. I took the box home, opened it and looked at everything. When I looked down into the lens there was a thin curved line about 1-2mm in length. When I turned the lens you could clearly see that the line/scratch/particle was inside (it moved down) and not on top. I'm no big camera expert but didn't look normal to me so I just wanted to have them look at it.

I took it back to the store. They looked at it and sent it to Nikon to have them clean the inside since it looked like some kind of foriegn particle. I got it back today, looked inside and even though it had been cleaned there was still the little curved line inside the lens in the same spot! I suppose it's a scratch or something.

I assume that some small imperfections are normal and expected? Something like a little dust inside the lens wouldn't affect the images usually and is common? Does this thing I have sound like one of those "harmless" types of things?

What kinds of things should I be concerned about? And what kind of problem would warrant a new lens? Or is this kind of thing something that they would/could try to fix somehow?

I'm just wondering because the store said they would "get back to me" about what they will do. I am kindof eager to try out the camera and am wondering what will happen. Are they gonna ship it back to Nikon again or just give me a new lens? Has this kind of thing happened to anyone else?

Thanks for you help!

Rebecca

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

05/15/2007 03:31:33 PM · #2

How do photos taken with it look?

JenniferDavidGA

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

05/15/2007 03:31:45 PM · #3

Can you return the lens for a new one? If you just bought it and already having a problem with it I would try and return it. Have you tried and used it at all?

PhotoDave

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM II

05/15/2007 03:45:30 PM · #4

With out seeing the lens its hard to say. When buying anything I always try to buy from places with good return policies for just that reason. There's no way I would consent to warranty just hours after buying something, it would be either new replacement or full refund. Also always take everything out of the box in the store in front of the cleric even if the item "looks" factory sealed.

I would try to first return it, if you run in to issues with the person working the counter ask immediately for the store manager and usually at that point at reputable stores that will get descent results. Your best bet would also try to exchange it first and if they have issues with that then you start demanding a refund.

Given that there is what sounds to be a quite visible scratch or foreign object I would be skeptical as to whether it was sent to the factory in the first place...

Just curious but where did you buy this from?

-dave

05/15/2007 03:48:19 PM · #5

Unfortunately, I didn't get to take any pics because I got sick right after I got it. I had my husband take it in to have them look at it.

I could try to ask if they would just give me a new lens when I talk to them tomorrow. So far they haven't offered yet.

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM II

05/15/2007 03:55:42 PM · #6

Originally posted by dknourek:

My husband bought it for me as a birthday gift so I didn't get to see the camera and lens in the store unfortunately.

He bought it from a local camera shop in our town. When I was in the shop the woman had given me a copy of the work order from Nikon and then she called them when I showed her that the mark/line was still inside. I'm not sure what they said but she said she wanted to "figure out what to do". I'm hoping they will just give me a new one.

PhotoDave

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

05/15/2007 04:21:56 PM · #7

Don't take me the wrong way I'm not bitching here but there should be nothing to "Figure out" she should have replaced the lens then and there or immediately sent it back to Nikon. I would pack everything back up in the original packaging and take that and the receipt back to the store and politely ask to exchange the entire package and they can deal with Nikon with the lens issues. Then if she gets nasty at all then politely ask for a refund and if there is still resistance then let her know that the better business bureau and the papers will be hearing your story. I'm sure it wont come to that but Ive run in to bad retailers to many times...

-dave