S3 IS lense artifact

[Breuer85]

Since I got my S3 IS 3 weeks ago I've been blown away with what it can do. Whats been troubling me though has been the amount of noise in all of my shots. I cleaned the lense using my eye-glasses wipe and noticed something troubling.
There appears to be somekind of scratch or artifact on the other side of the lense. It's hard to see but it is definately on the back side of the lense. IDoes anyone know if there is any way to clean this? If not, whats my best option, Canon support....or the local camera shop?

Thanks!

[PeacePlanet]

New camera .. straight to ur local camera shop and get them to check the others to compare. Still in warranty, get it replaced if they are not the same.

Cannot suggest anything else I am sorry.

[pescare]

I'd contact the place you got it immediately. It's so new, you might still be able to swap it for a new one. Otherwise, Canon support will be the way to go. I noticed some kind of contamination inside my S2 lens while it was withing the warranty and they fixed it.

As for the noise though, I wouldn't assume the artifact is the cause. I don't believe the problem you mentioned would cause true image noise. There is a fair amount of discussion here on noise with the s3. A search might help you. Can you post a sample?

[SaNdMaN82]

well, if the artifact is in the inner side of the lense, no doubt it's a manufacture artifact, due to there is no chance you could have done that (they can't claim handling poorly the camera).

so, i'd take it to the shop where you bought it, and try to change it for a new one...

i recently bought a new s3, and the one i got had a minor defect... on the back, the "4 ways" button, had a issu with the up one... I went back to the store the next week, and they replaced it for a new one. These are not cheap cameras, so we have our right to request it's in pristine conditions.

so, if i were you, i'd take it to the shop right away, since the defect you're mentioning, ain't a minor one...

and about the noise, we can't really tell if we don't see a sample picture... but, i doubt very very much that a lens artifact as the one your camera has, is responsible of noise in the picture...

i had a s2 that broke a few weeks ago, and i have to say that the s3 produces just a bit more of noise under the same conditions... the s2 has the lower iso setting at 50ISO, and the s3 on the other hand, has a lowest iso setting of 80ISO.... So my S3 pictures, presents a bit (just a bit, not much, but you can tell) more noise that my s2 pictures...

another thing you might try is to use the P mode, and set the iso to 80... then try again... the s3 has a iso setting which i don't like for sure: auto high iso setting... I didn't trust my auto iso on my s2, so you can imagine i'd not trust a auto high iso setting...

try shooting on p mode, and set the iso to 80... the noise problem on your pics should be pretty much solved ;)

keep us up to date with this, good luck.

[Breuer85]

Hey Guys,
Thanks for giving me the good advice! I called Canon Support and in about 5 mins got instructions on shipping it back to them. It's going to go through service next week so I'll be sure to let you know what happens. I'm just happy to know that Canon's customer service is awesome!