Dust in New Lens

justinitus

justinitus

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Justin
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Hi All

I just received my replacement Sigma 10-20 from the dealer (first one had finger mark smudge on inside of front element and was sent back for exchange!)

The replacement lens has 4 small specks of dust inside the front element, the first one didn't.

None of my other lenses (Nikkor 18-200VR, Nikkor 50mm F1.8 & Sigma 70-300APO) have any dust specks inside and they are regularly used.

I am worried this lens was maybe a Sigma return, as the dealer had to re-order the replacement from Sigma and the serial number is older than the first lens I bought: new lens 2267** vs original lens 2274**

This maybe minor stuff guys, but its my most expensive lens so far and I want it to be right!

Thanks in advance :)
 
Have you spoken to them about it? Have you tried contacting Sigma in relation to it? Can you see the dust in a picture?
 
Well 4 tiny specks of dust wont affect image quality, or show as dust marks on an image, but if you want to be pedantic i'm sure you could work something out with sigma. ;)

As far as i am aware, the only dust marks that show on an image are those on the sensor,lens marks are always out of focus as the lens is always focussing at something infront of it rather than inside it. :D

But I do understand considering the cost of the lens how you want it to be right.
 
Sorry to hear about your problems with this lens, as you say, it's an expensive lens and ultimately you need to be be completely happy with your purchase. It sounds as if you'd have a case for rejecting the replacement lens under the Sale of Goods Act, as neither lens sounds as if it was of merchantable quality.

If it was me, I'd return it, explaining that I was rejecting it under the Sale of Goods Act (a quick Google will get the relevant clause) and requesting a full refund.
 
Hi All

Thanks for the replies, my first post here but I've been lurking for a while ;)

I did speak to Sigma. The guy there stated that all lenses will have a certain number of dust specks inside them and if I returned it to them for cleaning it would probably come back worse. :eek: He was a bit condescending when I mentioned none of my other lenses have a single dust speck inside (I checked thoroughly!) but they really don't! My 18-105VR must have done 5k shots with lots of zooming and its still dust free!

I have taken a few shots with the 10-20 and cannot see any dust marks in the photos, but I really want a "good copy" of this lens. If it is normal for lenses to come with a few dust specks in them then ok, but £400 odd is a lot to pay if it ain't perfect. On the other hand, I don't want to be stupid about this.

NB: (£400 is a lot for me.... I know it's not "L" money but its my first "decent" lens:D)

I bought it from a reputable dealer who has been very helpful to date, so I might call him tomorrow. It's not the dealers fault.
 
Its annoying spending that much on something and for it not to be perfect - but dust in a lens wont show at all on the images. My 55-250 has a few dust specs inside but it still shoots perfectly (photographer aside!). The lens is simply incapable of focusing on it and looks straight past it. And the way light bends, it wont show as a spec as there is so much 'fill in' light coming through and around the the dust specs.

Dust on a sensor is different, and I know its annoying seeing it there, but the lens will work perfectly fine, and having it internally cleaned could do more harm than good!
 
Could it be that it is infact that the lens is a 10-20mm lens and the dust is very, very small but the optics in the lens that make it such a wide angle lens is showing it up in the region of 5 times it's size.

But this is just an opinion im no expert.
 
Thanks for your replies everyone :)

I had a friend of mine who's a pro photographer take a look last night and his first reaction was that dust in a new lens is in no way acceptable. He showed me his 2yr old version of the same lens and it is well well used and is clean as a whistle.

He got out a gadget he uses for cleaning sensors (it has led lights in it) and had a good close up look inside the lens. What I thought were the dust specks reflected, so he thinks they are tiny bits of either glass or metal :thumbsdown: and not dust.

I spoke to the dealer this morning, am awaiting a response.
 
justinitus said:
Hi All

Thanks for the replies, my first post here but I've been lurking for a while ;)

I did speak to Sigma. The guy there stated that all lenses will have a certain number of dust specks inside them and if I returned it to them for cleaning it would probably come back worse. :eek: He was a bit condescending when I mentioned none of my other lenses have a single dust speck inside (I checked thoroughly!) but they really don't! My 18-105VR must have done 5k shots with lots of zooming and its still dust free!

I have taken a few shots with the 10-20 and cannot see any dust marks in the photos, but I really want a "good copy" of this lens. If it is normal for lenses to come with a few dust specks in them then ok, but £400 odd is a lot to pay if it ain't perfect. On the other hand, I don't want to be stupid about this.

NB: (£400 is a lot for me.... I know it's not "L" money but its my first "decent" lens:D)

I bought it from a reputable dealer who has been very helpful to date, so I might call him tomorrow. It's not the dealers fault.
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"Probably come back worse" ......... damned cheek - that is an attempt at a put off.
I have never bought a lens with dust in it.
I'd reject the goods.
 
Thank you all again :love:

I spoke with the dealer and the lens has been posted back for a refund.

To my surprise, in the mail today when I got home was a crisp £10 note and an apology from the dealer for the hassle/cost of having to send the first copy of the lens back last week. :clap: Almost feel guilty now..

I'm just glad at this stage I paid a few quid extra and got it from a reputable dealer rather than an internet wholesaler on the other side of the world.

Am still liking this lens, I just want to be able to handle the next one before I pay my money. Am going to England in 2 weeks time so will have a look then.

Cheers all :thumbs:
 
justinitus said:
To my surprise, in the mail today when I got home was a crisp £10 note and an apology from the dealer for the hassle/cost of having to send the first copy of the lens back last week. :clap:
Click to expand...

Then I think the dealer deserves some credit, as you mention it's not his fault directly, he was happy to exchange for another and I think that sending you an appology and a small token back shows very good customer service and they value your custom.

I say well done that dealer for doing that bit extra :clap::clap::clap:
 
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