Black dot in 100mm f2.8L IS USM lens

[lastcoyote]

I've been so happy with this lens since I bought it just under 3 months ago. I'm come to look at it like my new baby Absolutely loving macro photography.

However after a recent holiday I've returned to find some of the photos to have some slight blotchy marks on them in the same places. Doesn't happen on photos using other lenses so figured it must be dirt on the filter I use on this lens or maybe on the front element etc. So I had a look and sure enought the filter needed a good clean so I used a rocket blower and lenspen which cleaned it up nicely. Also cleaned the front element while I was at it. Then I decided to look through the lens with the rear cap off and to my horror saw what appears as a large black dot on it Lots larger than dust, more like a fragment of something. In looking at the rear element it appears to be on there. Its also not on the outside but inside it I have no idea what it is and how it's got there. It's mostly visible by looking through front to rear element of the lens when focused to infinity. Things get worse too as when I focus to min focus distance there also appears to be what looks like a short line in a different place on the lens. not sure where this is in the lens.

Pretty upset about it as I love this lens and as I said I only bought it in April this year.
I've taken a couple of shots to see if these things appear on the photos and they don't seem too as far as I can tell but as I'm a bit of a clean freak this really bothers me. It's definitely not right. It's the sort of thing that if you just bought the lens and were checking it over you'd send it right back for being faulty. I'm sure I checked the lens when buying it and can't remember seeing anything. So it's developed a fault?

So what should I do? I guess I should send it to an authorised Canon repairs centre..but I just feel annoyed at having to do so when I've only had it just under 3 months. Scared it'll come back marked or something as well. I'm really careful with my stuff and want it kept nice.

Any suggestions?

[donoreo]

It is under warranty. They may just give you another since it is only 3 months, but hard to say. There really are two choices: live with the dot or take it in.

[lastcoyote]

phoned park cameras and they say all they can do is take it in and they will send it to canon. so basically the same as me sending it to canon repair centre myself then. what do people advise...shall i send it to canon myself or through park cameras? what's the best way to go about this?

[Cathus]

depends.

If you go direct through Canon you may find that Park say you have not fulfilled the criteria of your standard warranty in that you bypassed them, as the warranty is via the seller not the manufacturer, so if you have a problem in the next 9 months they may say you have to go to Canon, I can't recall the legislation as regards your rights under the Sale of Goods Act as to whether Park are entitled to do this or not, but I recall finding this information out when I had a camera fault that I bought through Park.

I dealt direct with Canon, figuring that all Park would do would be to send it to Canon who would send it back to Park who would send it to me, & I'd have an extra two weeks without a camera while the thing was in transit.

I'm lucky enough to have Canon's service centre within 30 mins drive, so I took it there, they sorted it in 2 days & I collected it.

I've used them 3 times & the service has always been excellent, but if I were you I'd just double check with your warranty if you want to remain covered by Park. (though you will be covered by Canon direct provided you have proof of purchase showing it is within a year)

[OldBoy]

Originally Posted by lastcoyote

phoned park cameras and they say all they can do is take it in and they will send it to canon. so basically the same as me sending it to canon repair centre myself then. what do people advise...shall i send it to canon myself or through park cameras? what's the best way to go about this?

Under the Sale of Goods Act you can ask for a replacement lens from Park cameras, as it's less that six months old, just quote the Sale of Goods act. If the won't play ball then contact your local CAB.

Key Facts:
• Wherever goods are bought they must "conform to contract". This means they must be as described, fit for purpose and of satisfactory quality (i.e. not inherently faulty at the time of sale).

• Goods are of satisfactory quality if they reach the standard that a reasonable person would regard as satisfactory, taking into account the price and any description.

• Aspects of quality include fitness for purpose, freedom from minor defects, appearance and finish, durability and safety.

• It is the seller, not the manufacturer, who is responsible if goods do not conform to contract.

• If goods do not conform to contract at the time of sale, purchasers can request their money back "within a reasonable time". (This is not defined and will depend on circumstances)

• For up to six years after purchase (five years from discovery in Scotland) purchasers can demand damages (which a court would equate to the cost of a repair or replacement).

• A purchaser who is a consumer, i.e. is not buying in the course of a business, can alternatively request a repair or replacement.

• If repair and replacement are not possible or too costly, then the consumer can seek a partial refund, if they have had some benefit from the good, or a full refund if the fault/s have meant they have enjoyed no benefit

• In general, the onus is on all purchasers to prove the goods did not conform to contract (e.g. was inherently faulty) and should have reasonably lasted until this point in time (i.e. perishable goods do not last for six years).

• If a consumer chooses to request a repair or replacement, then for the first six months after purchase it will be for the retailer to prove the goods did conform to contract (e.g. were not inherently faulty)

• After six months and until the end of the six years, it is for the consumer to prove the lack of conformity.

[donoreo]

Wow, sucks to be a retailer in the UK.

EDIT: that may sound wrong I meant by comparison over here the retailer does not have as long a period of responsibility regarding warranties. In fact they can say outright that it is "manufacturers warranty" only. That does not mean they will not provide service, it just means under the law they do not have to provide a replacement.

[Cathus]

I don't think you can demand a new lens, the seller has the right to get it repaired within a reasonable time, particularly if the fault or damage is minor, only if they can't repair it within a reasonable time must they offer a replacement or refund.

There doesn't appear to be any evidence that the item was faulty at the time of purchase.

http://whatconsumer.co.uk/returning-...-faulty-goods/

[OldBoy]

Originally Posted by Cathus

I don't think you can demand a new lens, the seller has the right to get it repaired within a reasonable time, particularly if the fault or damage is minor, only if they can't repair it within a reasonable time must they offer a replacement or refund.

There doesn't appear to be any evidence that the item was faulty at the time of purchase.

http://whatconsumer.co.uk/returning-...-faulty-goods/

Less than six months old then you can demand a replacement or your money back, that's the law. It might not have appeared to be faulty at the time he brought it, but whilst using it might have caused the dirt/dust speck to attached itself to the inner lens suggesting it was inside the lens when he got it but not visible. Paying over £700 I expect it to be perfect.

[Cathus]

you appear to have judged the seller & found them guilty of supplying faulty goods. I expect there are many explanations as to why a black dot is on the inside of the lens including user error, poor handling, using it in poor conditions.

I'd suggest the OP speaks with Consumer Direct to find out his rights from the horses mouth, but I'd be surprised if he walked out of the shop with a new lens on what he's describing as the problem so far.

[OldBoy]

Originally Posted by Cathus

you appear to have judged the seller & found them guilty of supplying faulty goods. I expect there are many explanations as to why a black dot is on the inside of the lens including user error, poor handling, using it in poor conditions.

I'd suggest the OP speaks with Consumer Direct to find out his rights from the horses mouth, but I'd be surprised if he walked out of the shop with a new lens on what he's describing as the problem so far.

No, I haven't judged the seller guilty of anything, but it's important to know where you stand, as some sellers will try to escape their responsibly, suggesting that you/they have to contact the manufacturer. This would result in you losing use of the lens for a period that may run into weeks or months which, would be unfair to you. Your contract is with the seller and no one else so, it's the sellers job to sort it out quickly without loss to you including usage and enjoyment.

Your advice to contact consumer direct is good and that's why I suggested CAB in my previous post. When giving advice like this I prefer to give the full infomation at start rather than bit by bit. It may be that this camera company might swap the lens with no questions asked, but then again they may not.