Used lens - is this lens mark an issue?

[Whitefall]

Hi there,

I’ve bought a used Panasonic Leica 100-400mm lens and there’s a strange mark on the front of the lens. I’m not sure if it’s an issue and I’m relatively novice so I thought I’d ask here as it has a returns policy if needs be.

It doesn’t look like a scratch to the front lens, it almost looks like an anti-glare coating has been damaged? It’s definitely not oil and doesn’t come off with lens cleaning tissue.

I can’t post links yet as a new user but a pic of it is on imgur, url ending /maSEO0S

Thoughts? Thanks.

 

[Box Brownie]

Hi and welcome to TP

As you rightly infer, a picture tells the story.

When you hold the lens so that you are looking across the lens, rather than straight at it, can you see the mark and does it as you say look like it is on that top surface?

Or does it look like it is inside the lens?

What does it look like ~ something regular like it was caused by abrasion? Or does it have a fine irregular pattern/shape such a spot with softer spread around it and/or a thread like pattern stemming from a single point?

Lastly, did the seller declare that the front element had mark?

 

[Dale.]

There shouldn't be any marks on the front element, unless the seller stated there were and you were happy to buy knowing that.

That said, some marks don't affect images, just like dust in the lens usually doesn't too.

I'd like to see a pic of the 'mark'.

HOW TO POST PICS.

Definately raise a complaint if you're not happy. Trust me, that mark will always bug you.

 

[Whitefall]

There shouldn't be any marks on the front element, unless the seller stated there were and you were happy to buy knowing that.

That said, some marks don't affect images, just like dust in the lens usually doesn't too.

I'd like to see a pic of the 'mark'.

HOW TO POST PICS.

Definately raise a complaint if you're not happy. Trust me, that mark will always bug you.

Picture attached below - thanks for the how to . The seller didn’t declare the mark, just the usual dust caveat.

 

[Dale.]

Picture attached below - thanks for the how to . The seller didn’t declare the mark, just the usual dust caveat.

From that, I'd suggest it was over zealous cleaning by a previous owner. I can't be sure though.

If you're not happy, raise a complaint. I don't know who you dealt with but it might be a genuine mistake on their part. If they're reputable, it shouldn't be a problem for them to exhange/refund.

That said, if it doesn't affect images and you can live with it, then it might not be a worry.

Personally, it would bug me.

 

[Box Brownie]

with @Dale.

Personally I would reject it and get a refund asap.

 

[Whitefall]

Thanks guys, it helps to get your points of view on it. I got it at £725 with a year warranty so a decent discount vs new. If I send it back there wouldn’t really be anything to exchange it with so I’d probably end up buying a new lens for a wedge more. It’s a tricky one for sure.

 

[Dale.]

Thanks guys, it helps to get your points of view on it. I got it at £725 with a year warranty so a decent discount vs new. If I send it back there wouldn’t really be anything to exchange it with so I’d probably end up buying a new lens for a wedge more. It’s a tricky one for sure.

If it were me and I couldn't live with it, I'd be getting my money back.

There's plenty better used ones out there.

 

[GreenNinja67]

That will adversly affect the price if you ever try to move it on.

I wouldn't buy it.

 

[nandbytes]

Thanks guys, it helps to get your points of view on it. I got it at £725 with a year warranty so a decent discount vs new. If I send it back there wouldn’t really be anything to exchange it with so I’d probably end up buying a new lens for a wedge more. It’s a tricky one for sure.

I can see a number of used ones available easily for £800-900.
While £725 seems a very good price, its not really that good for a lens with damaged coatings on the front element.

Send it back and buy a used lens from else where. For example:

Used Panasonic 100-400mm f/4-6.3 MFT Lens | Park Cameras

Buy your Used Panasonic 100-400mm f/4-6.3 Micro Four Thirds Lens at Park Cameras, complete with free 6-month warranty and fully checked prior to sale.

www.parkcameras.com