Preparing to sell my Lens

I am thinking of selling my Canon 100-400mm zoom and so I cleaned and inspected it yesterday. I was surprised to find that there seems to be what looks like dust particles inside the lens. At first I thought I was seeing a pin hole scratch but on further inspection I think its dust.

I used a magnifying glass and strong light and looked through the lens from the bottom.

Question -- in your xperience is this normal for a ~ 2 year old lens?

I am careful when using it but not a fanatic. It is my least used lens.

I'm thinking of having the lens serviced before I offer it for sale.

Any thoughts on this will be appreciated.

Thanks,
Frank

From what I've heard the 100-400mm lens sucks in a lot of dust (I don't own one so this isn't based on personal experience). However I have/had several lenses with a few bits of dust in them. The dust doesn't affect the image quality so it's not much of a worry. I think most experienced photographers would agree.
I wouldn't have this lens serviced because of this, unless the dust is extreme. Just be sure you let the buyer know. I don't think you'll have trouble selling this lens because of this.

Tom is quite correct. This lens is known for sucking in the dust. I had one and the same thing happened. As long as it is a few specks here and there, there will be no effect on image quality and anyone who knows what they are doing will not have a problem buying that lens. It is expected.

Ditto. I've purchased and sold several lenses on eBay, and a few dust specs inside are quite normal and expected.The real lens killer is fungus and/or oil on the aperature blades, and that's the only case where you'll want to have the lens serviced (basically because it would be unsellable). But it sounds like you're free of oil/fungus or you would have mentioned it. So, list it!

If it's just a few specks here and there I wouldn't be concerned about it in the slightest.
I've got a few inside my 100-400mm and believe it's nothing out of the ordinary whatsoever.

Any push-pull zoom will pull in dust. I've had my 100-400 for four years and there's a very little bit of dust inside. I've shot three other copies of this lens as well, and each had small amounts of dust. Not a problem.

When you do sell let me know how much. I may be interested if it isn't priced too high.
Thanks.
Sharna

Thanks everybody for your help.

Sharma, Please email me so we can talk.

fwinters@verizon.net

Frank

Well I sold my lens on eBay -- it sold for $1200.02 -- this was the highest figure I imagined.

I gave a 7-day return privilege so I'll let you know if it comes back.

Thanks again for your help and advice.

Now which cheaper, lighter zoom should I buy?

Cheers,
Frank

To be used for what, Frank?

Birds, Wildlife as a secondary activity.