Dust in lens, any easy fix?

Reece Man · Apr 21, 2010

Just bought a D700 and a 24-70mm. lens. The 24-70 isn't here yet but my roommate has an 80-200mm. lens that he wants to sell. I was inspecting it and discovered that there is a little bit of dust and a single fuzz right in the middle of the element (when I close the aperture down all the way, it's still in view). I cleaned the outside element with Eclipse2 and some swabs but it's obvious that it's all on the inside. Is there any easy fix for it? I think it's behind the first element because it's behind the diaphragm so it's not like it's in the middle of the whole lens. I love this lens and would love to buy it from him but if it's not easy enough to fix I'll seek elsewhere.

Thank you for ANY help at all.

Derrel · Apr 21, 2010

No need to fix it...it's not hurting the image quality at all. Seriously. Google "Ken Rockwell + The Flashlight Test", among other articles available on-line. Dust and flecks inside of a lens have almost no impact on lens performance. I know that might be difficult to believe, but it is true in my experience.

Reece Man · Apr 21, 2010

That's good to know. If it does become a problem though, is there anything that can be done?

Big Mike · Apr 21, 2010

Derrel is right. Dust & dirt on the lens elements will not show up in the images....but it does drive photographers nutty, none the less. :lol:

Yes, it can be cleaned. The lens would need to be partially disassembled though, and that's not usually recommended for your average tinkerer. You could send it into a Nikon service center and have them do it though.

Reece Man · Apr 22, 2010

It is annoying haha but if I can't see it on my pictures then I won't sweat it.

Garbz · Apr 22, 2010

For a good test get a light and shine it through your lens back, and just take a look at how much dust is really in there. The average high quality lens is absolutely filthy.

Learn to ignore it. You'll live a longer, happier and wealthier life.