Contamination inside lens

[David_s]

I have just treated myself to a Sigma 70-200mm F2.8 APO EX DG MACRO, not the best quality lens I know but hopefully more than adequate for my very amateurish efforts. It arrived on my desk today, and on close inspection there would appear to be a couple of very fine hair like contaminants (maybe scratches?) on the inside of the front lens, the most noticeable one is maybe 3mm long. They almost certainly won't make a difference to the quality of my photos, but is it worth sending the lens back for replacement? Is this usual on a lens in this quality range?

Any advice would be gratefully received, what I know about photography and lens quality could be written on the back of a very small postage stamp...

Thanks in advance.

[F308 MAN]

personally, i would return it.

did you buy mail order, ebay or local outlet ?

d

[Gingerbread Man]

Would you have brought it knowing that the marks were there?

If so keep it, if not return it.

[David_s]

Thanks for the responses.

My problem is that I don't know enough to decide a) whether it is normal for a lens in this quality range (mid-range?), and b) whether it will make any difference to my pictures. I suspect that the answers are no and no, but am aware that if I was really unconcerned about quality I could have bought much cheaper.

I have contacted the retailer for their (obviously unbiased...) opinion.

[Gingerbread Man]

Well it shouldn't be normal for anything leaving the factory to be less than 100% perfect in my eyes. It's a different matter to whether the lens is crap or not.

Send it back.

[V6GTO]

There was nothing wrong with the money you bought the lens with, there should be nothing wrong with the lens.

Martin.

Edited by V6GTO on Monday 12th November 17:55

[MonkeyHanger]

I have the previous non Macro version which is now 3 years old. Even though it's been round most of the UK's race circuits and done a good number of forest rallies it's still spotless inside.

I wouldn't accept that lens.

[japhilip]

The quality of the lens is related to build and optical quality. Not to marks on the glass.

Not acceptable, send it back.