New lens with wear marks on mount (pics)

I just received a new lens from Amazon, Canon 70-200 and this is my third time owning one . Upon opening the box, I got the usual careful wrapping of plastic and a dust free lens but noticed some very very small nicks on the mount. I can't tell if these are nicks from just the machine process or was this lens used?

Checking closer I found that the contact points of the lens look worn or at least something was touching the points. Just to compare, my two year old 24-105 had almost no nicks on the mount, and the contact points appear similar.

Again, the lens had no dust at all, no finger prints, no obvious signs of wear or reboxing. But has anyone gotten a new lens and found the mounts in not mint condition?

Pictures to compare.

24-105mm f/4, two years old. Contacts.

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My 70-200 which I bought used has perfectly clean contacts with no signs of any marks or wear. I checked all my other leses and the same clean as can be, so not sure why yours has those marks.

Hmm I have only bought one new lens since starting but never really checked. I would guess they have to mount these on a camera to calibrate them at the Canon factory.

clearly a return from one of the members here

I contacted Amazon and they are going to send another lens before asking for this one back. This is great as I wanted to get some photos before the New Year and also I can A/B the lenses together.

Seems like it wasn't a uncommon issue as the customer rep acknowledged the issue in a few minutes from sending in my request.

Oh, and that member who repackaged the lens in such new condition.

I just looked at mine and I have had it for a year and change lenses a lot and there are no wear marks on it. That is far from new, I can't even imagine how that is possible even for a return from someone else that tried it and it did not work for them for whatever reason. Possibly a factory refurbished lens wound up in the wrong place, that would make the most sense.

Normal. I've got plenty of BNIB lenses over the years, and some of them have had slight marks upon close scrutiny. It's nothing to be concerned about, so long as it isn't obviously damaged.

Personal opinion: Your looking for issues where none actually exist.

Maybe the lens was test fitted at some point or a randomly selected unit that under went additional quality control checks. Or somebody purchased it and returned it as it didn't suit their needs.

The lens would probably get those marks the first time you mounted the lens, so I don't know why it is of a concern to you. If the lens is otherwise new and functions perfectly, you really have nothing to worry about.

I've gotten lenses from Amazon and B&H that had obviously been mounted before. I assumed it was mounted at Canon to ensure the lens was up to specifications. I can't say every lens I've bought had a mount looked like that right out of the box, since I honestly didn't bother to look at all of them. I was more concerned about performance and how the glass looked.

Since you already had Amazon send you another, you may as well test the both and keep the better of the two... even though my experience tells me they'll be nearly identical. I've used 2 different 70-200mm f/2.8 IS II and they were virtually indistinguishable from each other.

My new lenses came with marks like that. They have to mount them on something to test and calibrate at the factory, so you're not going to get a lens with contacts that have never been used.

Clearly those marks come from someone trying to mount that lens on to a Nikon body

even my oldest lens doesn't have the nick marks on the mount, the gold contacts do show the line from the pin connections

It's normal, some have marks, some don't. If it works and is sharp, keep it.

i wouldnt worry about it as long as the lens works perfectly...
i'd still get it replaced IF ITS FREE though haha ;-D

Well Amazon came out as promised and sent the replacement lens next day air priority. Got a call at work Fed-Ex was going to delivery but the shipping department is closed, so I picked it up at the local station.

Upon inspecting the lens, first noticed that the mount is extremely clean and without any nicks. Checking both lenses back to back, it looks like the first lens has more of a "dent" on the mount than a nick. Kinda of looks like someone mounted the lens and when turning to lock it, slammed it into place. The edge looks almost dented, not sure.

The contacts appear cleaner on the new lens but they show a slight wear line, which I think is from the test bench as mentioned by another poster.

Picture from phone of the new lens.

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