While not "rare", I'd certainly say scarce. They have been holding for years in the $495 price range. Every one that I've seen has at least the white dots around the very outer edge of the front element. Last year, I bought one from PhotoVillage that had the price reduced about 20%. It has the dots in the outer edge. Well, I just took it out last week, and saw A LOT of squiggly white lines thoroughout the lens, apparently fungus. I've never had a fungus issue with equipment stored in my house, so I'm thinking I missed at least some fungus when I looked at the lens in the store. I think its unusual to go from no fungus to a large amount in one year in a heated, low humidity home. Anyway, I dropped it off at Essex on Friday, the cleaning wll cost $80. He also didn't guarantee a 100% clean lens on return, but he did promise at least 80%. I imagine he thinks it may have started to etch the glass. But he did say there will be no effect on photos taken. He's been right on the money for me in the past. We shall see.