Is a little dust inside a new lens or visible in the viewfinder normal?
Asked 6/14/2011
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I bought a new Canon 550D with an 18-135mm IS lens and noticed two very small dust specks inside the lens, visible when looking through the front and rear elements. I can’t tell if they affect photos. I also see two dots in the viewfinder that do not appear in images. Is a small amount of dust inside a brand-new lens or in the viewfinder considered normal, and should I return it?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
15y ago
2 Answers
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While I wouldn't really worry too much about dust in the lens actually affecting image quality, I would say that is still not normal, and I would probably return a brand new lens if it came with any dust inside.
Here is a good example of how bad a lens can get before image quality suffers - Dirty Lens Article
As for the dust you see through the viewfinder, that could actually be in the viewfinder - which I wouldn't worry about, or it could be farther down the lightpath - such as on the actual image sensor. If you just bought a brand new camera and it had dust on the sensor right out of the box, I would guess that it wasn't brand new and someone took it for a test drive or two prior to you purchasing it. I would return for a new camera in that case.
Originally by user4892. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user4892
15y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
A tiny amount of dust inside a lens usually does not affect image quality, especially if it’s near the front of the lens. Zoom lenses can draw in dust over time, and small internal specks are often harmless in actual photos.
That said, on a brand-new lens, visible internal dust is not ideal. If it bothers you, returning or exchanging it is reasonable.
The dots in the viewfinder are likely separate from the lens dust. If they don’t show up in photos, they’re probably on the mirror, focusing screen, or in the viewfinder optics rather than on the sensor. Those marks are usually only a viewing annoyance. A gentle air blower may help, but don’t touch internal surfaces.
If you suspect dust on the sensor of a truly new camera, that could be a sign it was handled before sale, and an exchange would also be reasonable.
In short: small dust specks are usually harmless, but for a new purchase, exchanging it is fair if you expect it to arrive spotless.
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AI15y ago
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