Questionable Damage Effects Due to Dented End of Lens

[Tallyther]

I have decided first to look for a Canon 300mm f2.8 L IS and if after a month I don't find what I want I will get the Canon 300mm F4 L IS.  It seems that quite a few of the larger and faster f2.8 lens have comments that say something like this ..."There's a very small indentation on the front rubber protector - it's hardly noticeable but I just want to mention it anyways."  Some are worse than others. Everyone says the lens wasn't dropped but either it was bumped by another lens or it bumbed another lens while moving it.  Should this be a concern?  They appear to be minor dents that could be rubbed out or pressure bent back.  But I have no experience with these lens. I've never even held one in my hands and therefore don't really know if what is bent on the end is rubber coated metal or literally heavy rubber and therefore replacable.  I'm not talking about on the hood but the main lens where the hood attaches.  I also don't know what impact a bump might have on the focusing or IS mechanism, if not now, for the life of the lens.  Am I too concerned?  Maybe these things are meant to take some bumps.  Again I don't know.  I know none of my 30 year old equipment has a scratch because I make sure it's not bumped.  Any comments are appreciated. Thanks!

[Bob Atkins]

It's impossible to say. These lenses are designed to be rugged and take moderate bumps with no optical damage, but you can't be 100% sure if a bumped lens has lost alignment other than by testing it. It would take a fairly significant bump to actually bend the metal.

At the right price I'd take a lens with a small dent in it, but it would have to be small and it would have to be saving me at least $500. I'm pretty sure Canon would do a test and realignment (if necessary) for less than that.

[Tallyther]

Thanks!