Dirt INSIDE the lens!?
 

I ended up exchanging my 2100 today (they had to order the replacement) because I noticed a lot of dirt inside the lens -- it was the 2nd layer of glass about 1/2 an inch from the first layer (I know nothing about the parts of a lens). Anyway, there were some specks that I could see on video, as well as a small area that looked like it had some glue or opaque grime on it.... go figure. Has anyone else had this problem? Hopefully this was isolated and the new one doesn't have any problems!

I bought a PD-150 one time for $900 with original box and all accessories.. It had like 4 hours of use.. The guy bought it brand new (it came with receipt) had this lens dirt issue and sat on it for a year and half, then he thought it was out of warranty and didn't think it could be fixed.. So it put it on Ebay as a camcorder for doing tape captures.. I scooped it right up..

Sent it down to Sony Service in California and $375 later had a perfect PD-150.. I guess it made it through the Q&A during lunch break or something from Sony.. The invoice I got back was replaced lens and housing.. So the entire shell was replaced.. It was one of those "I should buy a lottery ticket today, it's my lucky day".

They also did the S/N Audio upgrade on it for free..

It sounds to me like dirt has crept between the VAP OIS and the zoom's front element. These are the two elements that contain the fluid that gives you the Steadyshot feature, and as this is an add-on to the camera, this is where the weak point lies.

Look at the big flat-faced rectangular lump at the front of your zoom - this is the housing that contains the hydraulics that force the vari-angle prism to counteract your hand-held vibrations.

tom.