QotW Question of the Week: defective lenses happen – do you return, repair, or live with it?

bikeguy · Oct 22, 2025

This is why I buy from established stores.

If there's a problem with a lens it gets returned and exchanged.

Why accept an item that doesn't deliver what you paid for in the first place?

I understand that there can be quality control issues.

As long as the store and manufacturer stand behind the product all is good.

plantdoc · Oct 22, 2025

I have learned over 40 years of photo gear to test, especially lenses. Easier now with digital files and PC software. The most common issue I return lenses for is significant decentering that does not seem to be a built in flaw with the specific lens type. I have had quite a few decentered zoom lenses over the years, including fixed lens digital cameras. I do provide some consideration. For example, if the lens is a consumer grade zoom and it is slightly soft or slightly decentered during a small range of FL and stopping down eliminates the issue, I usually give a pass. I also will accept consumer grade lenses that need to be stopped down for acceptable sharpness. I am more critical of expensive Pro grade lenses. My retailer has accepted swaps without issue.

Greg

moficera · Oct 22, 2025

mikeyL said:
I have usually tried to replace when that is an option. I have had a couple of lenses that fell into this category. In all but one case they were bought from a major retailer and were replaced without question and I was happy.

In one other case I also bought from this same retailer but did not discover the issue until it was out of the time period for a replacement. In this case it was a manual focus lens that did not actually come to critical focus at the infinity focus stop (focus was past that point unfortunately) - something I did not realize until shooting the night sky with the lens. At that point I had to deal with the manufacturer. It was a 3rd party manufacturer, and they wanted 2/3rds of the price of the lens just to fix it (even though it was defective from purchase). So in that case I had no recourse. That lens still sits on a shelf in my hobby room today, pretty much useless...

What lens is it? I had the same problem with a manual Samyang lens and removed a shim under the lens mount that fixed it.

Gato Amarillo · Oct 22, 2025

I don't expect a lens to be perfect, but I do expect very, very good.

If it has enough problem to bother me I'll return it if possible. If I bought new and can't return then I'll try for a warranty repair.

A paid repair would be far down my list of options. Modern lenses are extremely complex and built to very tight tolerances. I wouldn't trust anything other than a factory repair, and I'd be worried about that.

Most likely I would sell it "As Is" with a fair description and price, and take my loss.

Gato

richj20 · Oct 22, 2025

I rented a Sony FE 16-35mm lens from LensRentals which had tilted elements on the right side.

They offered to exchange for a different one, but after a few days with the lens, I had decided I didn't care for the zoom range. I returned it and they refunded the rental fee.

Satyaa · Oct 22, 2025

I bought it on eBay. It worked fine but it had some weird spots. I tried to wipe them with a soft cloth, but they would not go away.

I asked in the forum and described the spots. Most responses said it didn't sound good. I think it was the color of the spots that got most people worried. I did not want to use a cleaning solution or something that might damage the front of the lens. I returned it.

The seller was mad at me. Apparently, he was able to clean it with a liquid. I felt bad too. IF I had tried harder and scratched the lens, that would be a disaster. I wish he had cleaned it before selling and we would both be happy.

Impulses · Oct 22, 2025

I don't think sending it in for repair is really a reasonable option anyone should entertain if the lens is brand new. This may or may not be anecdotal, but even an outfit as large as LensRentals (with far more expertise under their belt) has shared similar experiences, in most cases I don't think sending it in for retail will result in anything but the manufacturer sending it back as is with a note saying it's "within specifications". It's unfortunate but it is what it is.

Their own facilities don't really have the equipment or the people in place to test for decentering and misalignment issues, and many mirrorless lenses can't easily be adjusted or repaired anyway (stuff is glued or not really made to me moved, no space for shimming, etc.), bad samples are just headed to the recycling heap. It might be a different story with super high end super tele primes or something, but for consumer lenses (specially cheaper ones, ie anything between $50-1,000) there's probably no recourse.

Bad copies and sample variance are indeed a fact of life, and many just live with them because they never test their lens thoroughly. If you're worried about it buy from a place with a decent return policy and take advantage of it as needed.

AFAIK final QC for most lenses (Sigma might be an exception) isn't really testing for issues very thoroughly either, just basic functionality. Lenses (or their individual elements) go thru a lot more QC checks as they're made/bonded than after final assembly, and the industry largely relies on generally tight tolerances to avoid a greater number of duds or bad copies.

Older lenses, including some DSLR era stuff, are probably easier to repair than modern ones, but I still wouldn't count on a proper repair under warranty unless it's your last recourse.

Edit: All that being said, I've actually had good luck in general with the two dozen lenses I've bought across 2 mounts, even those from 3rd parties that are kinda infamous for wide sample variance. I also don't think you have to be super anal when testing. Prof Hank has shared one useful method above I think (and/or elsewhere), and the four corners or upside down methods (Google em) will also reveal the worst samples fairly quickly and easily.

Testing against nearby flat subjects like charts or even brick walls can send you down a rabbit hole and require too much precision. The four corners or upside down tests are harder to mess up and can even be performed handheld. I use the 4 corners for longer FL, upside down for UWA. PhillipReeve has a guide on the 4 corners variation.

Roger Cicala has shared a simple test for field curvature/tilt in a past DPR article. I think field curvature is more inherent to the design but lenses can have a badly tilted field of focus and that's not a design feature (and it's often conflated with decentering, which ProfHank's OOF is probably better at diagnosing). I think compiling these kinda test instructions would be a valuable resource to have linked somewhere at DPR...

All of the ones I've mentioned are simpler to execute and analyze than properly trying to line up a test chart or a wall, and the DPR writers can probably attest to that themselves with how much care the DPR test scene requires.

Impulses · Oct 22, 2025

ZilverHaylide said:
I only buy from retailers that permit returns, so if I had a defective lens with the problem noticed soon after purchase, I'd certainly return it. If past the return window but within warranty, I'd have it fixed under said warranty.

If past that, it might be a toss-up between repair and replacement -- but repair can be costly, and replacement could include the possibility of replacing with something better; since significant optical improvements have occurred within the past ten years, I'd certainly explore newer options. For a few vintage lenses that I've owned for more than fifty years, I might still lean towards repair simply for reasons of nostalgia, even though it might not make sense economically or optically.

All that said, I've never had a lens with a problem significant enough to merit return or need repair. Maybe because I've either stuck with better first party lenses and in recent years Sigma, or maybe I've just been lucky. Will soon try a Viltrox, so we'll see how that goes, hopefully well. I'll still avoid a certain un-named brand that has a reputation for substantial optical-quality variance -- at my considerable age, I just don't have the time or patience to be their QC department.

I've actually had pretty good luck with Samyang, but I only own 3 of them so that's not statistically significant. I've only ever returned one new lens I think, and it was for a mechanical issue rather than an optical one. Replacement was way smoother to zoom (this was a high end zoom, not a kit zoom where I'd expect that). I've had 2 Viltrox now that were good out of the box.

Adrian54 · Oct 22, 2025

A big smile on my face when i read the question.

Since 1983 i shoot with Olympus and later OM system.

I own maybe 20 lenses,...i never had any issue with these lenses.

Like somebody said in 1983 Olympus makes great lenses.

ZilverHaylide · Oct 22, 2025

My guess is that complaints are becoming fewer, because lens manufacturing is (mostly) getting better (more precise), and fewer users are printing at all, let alone large enough to see the defects present.

If viewing on a computer monitor or TV, only a tiny percentage of viewers will have one more than 4K, and 4K displays (no matter how big) and A4/8.5x11-inch prints (the limit of many home/office printers, also as big as one can generally go before filling/storage starts becoming significantly more difficult) both only show/need about 8 megapixels of resolution, and most lenses (even on the worse half of the QC curve) are probably capable of that.

Granted, higher resolution for the original image is needed if one has significantly cropped to obtain the final output, but given the time needed for involved post-processing and the general prevalence of zooms, most photographers probably do most of their cropping before pressing the shutter release.

breeze_of_wind · Oct 22, 2025

It has happened, and in the one instance that comes to mind I had purchased the lens through a local bo00x store (Hunts in Manchester, New Hampshire). They took it back, no questions asked. Brought in a questionable lens, walked out with a new lens. How thy dealt with the maker I never heard, and did not care. That is why almost all my purchases over the past decades have been with Hunts. By the way at this time I was using a DSLR body

John

Bill Ferris · Oct 22, 2025

If a new purchase, I'd contact the retailer to exchange the defective copy with a new one. Odds are the second copy will be in good working order.

If this is a lens I've been using for several months and it's been damaged in normal use, I'd send it in to be serviced under the warranty. It should come back to me good as new.

If this is a lens I've had for two years or more, gets heavy use, and has been damaged, I'd send it in for a repair estimate. If the cost to repair the lens will be a small percentage of the cost to buy a new replacement, I'd get it repaired. If the cost to repair would be a third or more of the cost to replace it with a new copy, I'd consider writing the lens off as a loss. If I'm going to spend that much to get a working lens, it might be worth it to spend a bit more for a good condition used copy or a lot more for an new lens - possibly an upgrade - with a full warranty.

Hike Pics · Oct 22, 2025

...they make a very satisfying "thunk" when they hit the garbage can!

Impulses · Oct 22, 2025

ZilverHaylide said:
My guess is that complaints are becoming fewer, because lens manufacturing is (mostly) getting better (more precise), and fewer users are printing at all, let alone large enough to see the defects present.

I mostly agree, I also think a lot of buyers just aren't that critical or haven't figured out how to be even if they wanted to do so, but manufacturing tolerances surely have gotten better even as lens design gets more complex (and likely cause of it).

ZilverHaylide said:
If viewing on a computer monitor or TV, only a tiny percentage of viewers will have one more than 4K, and 4K displays (no matter how big) and A4/8.5x11-inch prints (the limit of many home/office printers, also as big as one can generally go before filling/storage starts becoming significantly more difficult) both only show/need about 8 megapixels of resolution, and most lenses (even on the worse half of the QC curve) are probably capable of that.

Granted, higher resolution for the original image is needed if one has significantly cropped to obtain the final output, but given the time needed for involved post-processing and the general prevalence of zooms, most photographers probably do most of their cropping before pressing the shutter release.

I think a decent amount of people do buy higher res bodies largely with cropping in mind though (regardless of whether they're shooting zooms or primes), or at least pixel peeping heh, so idk that most people aren't noticing certain flaws strictly cause of the final output medium... I guess it depends on use case and personal expectations.

Julia90 · Oct 22, 2025

When I’ve come across a bad copy, I usually test it thoroughly—checking sharpness, corners, and consistency at different apertures. If it shows clear defects, I return or exchange it. Life’s too short to struggle with a lens that isn’t performing properly!

Impulses · Oct 22, 2025

I should add, despite my skepticism about a warranty ever being of any use for optical issues, I do think they still hold value. I sent a complex Oly zoom in for a cleanup one time under extend warranty and they were able to successfully clean something on the inside of the front element. Mechanical failures do happen, as well as electronic ones, or even something like ribbon cables failing.

Impulses · Oct 22, 2025

TBLF said:
Interesting question, and my answer is pretty simple:

Buy new from a reputable source who's return policy is solid. Especially if its a 3rd party lens with a reputation for QC issues and you know there is a solid chance you might not be happy with the first copy.

If its decentered badly, send it back. If it is very minor and is something like a fast portrait lens that never really sharpens up much in the corners even stopped down anyway, you may decide, meh, to just live with the slight decentering.

If the defect is some other kind like an unusually loud focus motor or lens hood doesn't snap into place with a positive click, or whatever bad enough that it is going to effect resale value, or keep you up at night, or cause you to leave it in the bag or at home or to keep looking at other upgrades, then definitely send it back for replacement. How many times you are willing to send it back until you get a good copy is entirely up to you (and the patience of your retailer)

Jonathan Mac · Oct 23, 2025

A lens bought new should be sent back for a refund or replacement. It's covered by a guarantee and it's important that faulty lenses go back to suppliers, and from there to manufacturers, so that they know what's going wrong and receive pressure to fix manufacturing errors and improve quality control. However, I suspect that many lenses returned for more subtle faults, such as de-centring or less-than-optimal sharpness, just go back into stock and are sold or re-sold until they get to someone without the know-how to spot their shortcomings.

All three of my Lumix S lenses suffered from "blue fogging" and were replaced under warranty. This is a problem that isn't visible unless you look for it but worsens over time, potentially leaving you with a very expensive non-functional lens by the time the warranty has expired. It's something I wouldn't have known to look for had it not been for internet forums, in this case the DPR Lumix forum.

For lenses that I buy used which I find are faulty, if the seller stated that they were fine then they go back. If bought in-person then I know what needs to be checked, though of course if there are any intermittent faults then they might not show up.

Having said all that, sometimes faults are too minor to warrant action. I have an EF 85/1.8 which is slightly de-centred and softer on one side than on the other up to f/4, but wider than f/4 I'm very likely to have a central-ish subject with a blurred background anyway. I got a very good deal on it too. This is a lens originally designed for film and I very much doubt that on that medium the error would have been apparent at all.

InkedMarie · Oct 23, 2025

breeze_of_wind said:
It has happened, and in the one instance that comes to mind I had purchased the lens through a local bo00x store (Hunts in Manchester, New Hampshire). They took it back, no questions asked. Brought in a questionable lens, walked out with a new lens. How thy dealt with the maker I never heard, and did not care. That is why almost all my purchases over the past decades have been with Hunts. By the way at this time I was using a DSLR body

John

Great place to work with!

Marie

RussW · Oct 23, 2025

First thing I do when I get a new lens or camera is to test it by photographing my garage door. If there are issues, then I return it to B&H/Amazon, which is where I tend to buy most of my gear. I'll only purchase from an authorized dealer who I know will take returns. For used gear, I've also had luck with KEH; they have a reasonable return policy.

I do the same for repairs. Two months ago, I had a fixed-lens camera repaired after I dropped it the day I purchased it, and it turned out to have dust on the sensor after the repair. Back to the repair place (they paid shipping).

QA isn't perfect, so, as Ronald Reagan popularized, "Trust but verify". If you catch it right away, it isn't a big deal. If you use defective gear, you can't get those photos back.

QotW Question of the Week: defective lenses happen – do you return, repair, or live with it?

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