Dirt in lens

[JohnMF]

Ive got two lenses, both have dirt or dust in side them. Ive got no idea how it found its way in but its looks bad. Ive checked to make sure its not in the actual camera and that is fine.

How do you go about cleaning a lens or would you have to get it done professionally?

thanks

 

[Rob]

The first thing to consider is that if the dirt does not show on your pictures, then it may not be worth bothering!

The focussing bits of lenses, especially zooms is a very critical area, not to mention the lens mounting exactness. Putting it back together very slightly out-of-kilter will very probably ruin it. It's not a job for the indelicate or the faint hearted.

A proper lens clean will cost a good amount from a professional, so you're probably best ringing round for some quotes and then checking the second-hand price for what you've got to see if it's economical to repair.

Don't forget that many lenses are filled with a dry, inert gas, usually nitrogen, which helps prevent fogging when changing temperatures. Having it filled with ordinary air is probably a recipe for some form of corrosion or fogging.

Have a go if you don't mind writing off your lens, but otherwise, consider professional help.

Rob

 

[JohnMF]

ok thanks rob. the lenses are only a couple of months old. dust is clearly visable. so i will have to do something, just have to weigh up the prices

 

[Contra|Brett|]

Where is the dust, if it is anywhere near the front element, don't bother. It will never show on your prints.