Problem with Nikon 18-70mm Lens

[digipix]

Hi,
Can anyone offer some advice regarding my 18-70 lens please.

I have had it approx 2 years and all has been fine until I just started to shoot some product shots on a light table/white background,when I looked atthe shots on my pc I notice spots on the screen.

Closer inspection I found spots on the inside of the front lens,put a torch through the barrel and noticed half way down resting on some threads there appeared to be a collection of fine pieces of metal?

I need to replace the lens but wondered if I have been doing something wrong,need to ensure I don't do it again, and alway's try and take care with my gear!

Any advice please!

Thank you.

 

[Martyn...]

I would suspect that it is a dirty sensor rather than the lens causing the problem. I doubt that you would see marks on a lens captured.

Have a look at the attached images, and the lens used LINK you do not see the damage in the images captured.

A sensor clean should resolve the problem

 

[digipix]

I would suspect that it is a dirty sensor rather than the lens causing the problem. I doubt that you would see marks on a lens captured.

Have a look at the attached images, and the lens used LINK you do not see the damage in the images captured.

A sensor clean should resolve the problem

Thanks Martyn

I have cleaned the sensor,I have the lens off the camera and can see the metal bits around the thread half way down the barrel,perhaps these are drawn up to the front lens by static? I really don't know!

Thanks again

 

[donut]

pictures?