Just new, or poo? :)

[Dirtygoat]

Just bought a new pentax lense.... (28-105 3.2-4.5)

Spent a small fortune on it, and on a slightly closer look at the front element coating I can see two or so smallish spots on the edge, and a small smear (see attached photo). There also looks to be quite a fine wipe mark also running across the middle. Have to look in stronger light to really see them, e.g under a lamp to see them, but they are there.

Another lense I bought new, a sigma 70-300, the front element is clear, but then again pentax use a different coating for their lenses.

Quality control issues at Pentax vietnam plant, or is what I am seeing not significant enough to cause concern about flare/contrast effect, if any. All within the norm?

Thanks!!

p.s image attached is only very basic, should look more prenounced. And camera shake, I know

[Photo-John]

Are they flaws in the coatings or just finger prints or something else that could be wiped off? If they come off, I wouldn't worry about it. If they don't, I'd return it. If it was used I wouldn't worry about it. It doesn't sound like they'd matter. But if you bought the lens new, then you should have a perfect lens.

[another view]

Hmm - is it just dirty? If you bought it locally, show it to the shop and see what they recommend and have them try to clean it. If you bought it by mail order, then maybe try a good lens cleaner like Eclipse solution following their directions. Actually, it would be best to look in the owner's manual and use their method seeing as it's new (however I've never heard of any problem with Eclipse, and new lenses have pretty tough coatings). In any case, I would want it to be right. Any sign of the box being opened before you got it (demo model, etc)?

All manufacturers are making equipment in places we wouldn't normally think of. Nikon has a big plant somewhere - think it's Malaysia) and they turn out good quality equipment. My VW was built in Mexico and it's the best car I've owned. All depends on how strict they are with QC, so I wouldn't automatically be too worried about a plant in Vietnam or anywhere else. I guess a lot of the coffee we've been drinking for years comes from there (unless you know it came from Columbia, Guatemala, etc).

[Dirtygoat]

The whole package came from a big U.K retailer, they have stores some way off (not jessops, thank goodness!).

I can't actually find any evidence that the box, lense or mount has been in anyway operated. Could try and clean it, but Im much more worried about risking that as it is so new. Taking it back could be an option. Yet to shoot a roll through it. Tis'a Hard decision.

Also, no manual came with it, all I got in the box was the hood, serial number card and warrenty.

Anyhow, if I do take it back to the shop, I hope they don't get the giggles?

[Peter_AUS]

You are the customer, you paid the big bucks for it, you aren't satisfied with the lens condition on arrival, return it and get another one in it's place. That is what any customer would do and expect.

[another view]

Could try and clean it, but Im much more worried about risking that as it is so new...Also, no manual came with it, all I got in the box was the hood, serial number card and warrenty.

That's why I was thinking the shop should clean it, so they can't give you any fault. It should have some kind of owner's manual - not that there's a lot of info to have about it, but that doesn't sound right.

Since you posted this here, you're probably upset about it. If it were me, I think I'd want a new one...

[Dirtygoat]

That's why I was thinking the shop should clean it, so they can't give you any fault. It should have some kind of owner's manual - not that there's a lot of info to have about it, but that doesn't sound right.

Since you posted this here, you're probably upset about it. If it were me, I think I'd want a new one...

Yup, I've just digged through a whole load of old dirty trash and scraped out every last piece of packaging.

Ideally, I'd want it to be replaced with another of the same lense. And about the stuff on the front element ; the spots look like they are 'sunken', right into the coating. The edges of the spots are gone greeny, and purplish! And the mark, it looks like some fine, precise scratches that have possibly been polished over, or are under a coating. I assume these are very manufacturing types of evidence, as they seem more precise then a cleaning accident, ect...!