Originally posted by stevebrot I think not. That is not a scratch. That is a painted index mark that has been painted over. I think you have have a "frankenlens" or some other sort of botched repair attempt. Three words, "SEND IT BACK", with reason being that the lens was not as described and in poor condition optically (i.e.,not fully operational).
Steve
Nope, it's most definitely a scratch.
The macro maybe isn't all that clear, but there's a visible albeit very small indentation on the focus/zoom grip where it meets the scratch, and the scratch itself is heavier and deeper under the barrel and it ends like three small scratches on the other end = something got jammed between barrel and grip.
Moreover, it's on the back, and an index mark there wouldn't make any sense.
Thanks for your suggestion, I will consider it.