Rear element blemishes (tiny) on new lens - normal?

Hi folks,

I'm brand new to (D)SLR and I've just been lurking on this forum for a few weeks and really enjoying reading the informative posts here.

I just bought a canon 35mm f2 lens last week (damn this forum!), and I was cleaning the rear element of dust when I noticed a couple of tiny marks in the glass. I couldn't remove them with gentle rubbing with a microfibre cloth and lens solution. Looks to me like a couple of tiny scratches in the lens coating (perhaps even beneath the glass?), but then I don't know enough to be sure. They're so tiny than I can only see them in certain angles catching the light.

A couple of questions:
- Is this normal for a new lens, or is it reason enough to exchange for another one?
- could I have put the marks on the rear element myself by just gently rubbing it with a microfibre cloth and lens solution?

I'm pretty sure they won't impact IQ, but if it can hurt resale and I can still exchange it now, then I'd rather do that.

best regards,
Rob

I haven't had any such marks on the few new lenses I've bought. I'd exchange it.

Doctor T wrote:
Hi folks,

I'm brand new to (D)SLR and I've just been lurking on this forum for a few weeks and really enjoying reading the informative posts here.

I just bought a canon 35mm f2 lens last week (damn this forum!), and I was cleaning the rear element of dust when I noticed a couple of tiny marks in the glass. I couldn't remove them with gentle rubbing with a microfibre cloth and lens solution. Looks to me like a couple of tiny scratches in the lens coating (perhaps even beneath the glass?), but then I don't know enough to be sure. They're so tiny than I can only see them in certain angles catching the light.

There should NOT be any scratches in a NEW lens, and you have every right to ask for an exchange.

Thanks for the feedback. I'll go exchange it.

cheers,
Rob