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Pentax 55mm f/2.8 lens hairline scratches

I received the new Pentax-D FA 645 55mm F2.8 AL[IF] SDM AW Lens today from B&H Photo. As is my wont, I examined it carefully, including shining a bright light through it.

Shining the light through the rear element and observing obliquely through the front, I noted what appear to be hairline scratches on an interior lens element, perhaps the one right behind the front element, or on its rear side (hard to tell). The scratches are mostly circular in shape, but some run at other angles or straight lines. I thought that perhaps what appeared to be scratches could be some kind of internal reflection, but if that were so, the effect should be rotationally symmetric, and there is absolutely no symmetry involved.

The lens also seems hazy, with what appears to be very fine interior “fairy dust” and a few large dust specks. I cross-checked using the same illumination on a Zeiss lens of mine — both lenses have exterior dust (unavoidable), but the Zeiss is otherwise crystal clear, with no sign of scratches or haze or fine internal fairy dust.

To be clear, I have no idea if these scratches affect image quality, since I don't have the 645D body as yet.

I don’t see how any lens could develop internal scratches except at the factory, or by being disassembled and messed with. And I can't even say for sure they are scratches, and not some kind of coating defect. But everyone deserves one free pass, so I’m not going to assume this is a general fault.

I intend to exchange this sample (with unknown delay), but if one sample can be badly assembled, presumably whatever manufacturing process produced it might also produce other similarly troubled samples. I advise anyone purchasing the 55/2.8 to shine a bright light through the rear element, and look closely for hairline scratches and hazing, being sure to examine all angles and sides, as the scratches appear localized on one side with my sample, definitely not symmetric. They are most obvious with the light shining through from the rear element, but can also be seen the other way around.

Pentax-D FA 645 55mm F2.8 AL[IF] SDM AW Lens

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