Dust inside lens okay?

[Gekko4321]

I recently purchased a Canon 17-55 IS 2.8 lens. I notice there are some dust specks inside the front glass of the lens. Looking even closer I see some dust on the glass inside the front lens also. I expected the lenses from Canon to be completely dust proof within the lens itself. Should I be concerned? I am new to SLR's and I have heard dust can be the death of good photos. I am not noticing it on my laptop when reviewing photos but I also have not printed anything yet. Please let me know. Thanks!

[Visual Reality]

Return it for a different one.

I just had the same problem with a Nikon 18-200 VR. Being assembled in a clean environment means there should be nothing inside that lens but glass and air.

[GaryS]

A few particles of dust inside the lens will never be seen in a photo... they will be so 'out of focus' that they won't show up. Dust on the camera's sensor is another story.

However... on a brand new $1K lens... I would expect better. Take it back for exchange, IMO.

[BBPhoto]

I have this lens and it is noted for being a dust sucker. Mine is no exception. It is pretty bad at this point but the IQ has not changed from day 1 when it was perfectly clean to today when it is perfectly dirty. You could exchange it but the condition will likely repeat itself. Exchanging it for the exact same unit will not change something inherent in the lens design. The amount of dust that gets in varies more with environmental conditions vs. use than anything else. As long as it doesn't effect the IQ I say the dust is much ado about nothing.

[Gekko4321]

Thanks for the replies! Do you know if something like this is warrantable with Canon? I would at least like to start off with zero dust if possible even if it means accummulating over time.

[DonSchap]

Man, this has to be like the fifteenth posting I've seen for this lens. :eek:

Cripes, for $1000 you'd think QC or QA would be in place for this type of nonsense. Is this a progressive problem? Where as you use it, the dust increases?

Both of my TAMRON 17-50mm f/2.8 never had issues like that. I know I would be returning that kind of problem in extremely short order ... like RIGHT NOW! :mad::mad::mad:

Where did you obtain this miracle of quality fabrication? :confused:

[dorin]

i don't know but i also got dust inside my 24-70, which is a weathersealed lens..i sent it back for cleaning, it came ok, now again specks inside...
will i be charged to have it cleaned again, like they clean the sensor only once for free?
anyone, any ideas?

thanks!

dorin

[PhotoMaster]

This problem is widespread... Shame on canon.. My 18-55 kit lens has one dust particle in it.. but it's only worth $180 bucks... if I got a lens for $1,000 and had dust in it, I'd be furious... I will never buy the lens you got only because of the widespread horrible dust issues... They actually pull dust in, even if they come to you clean... terrible for $1,000..

I hope the 16-35mm L II lens is not like that..

[michaelb]

If it bothers you and its still under warranty send it to Canon for cleaning. If its out of warranty, you can clean it yourself....(Its a piece of cake - I cleaned mine recently)....

http://www.pbase.com/lightrules/drp

[DonSchap]

Good lord ... a home-fixer-upper lens! :eek:

I guess Carl Zeiss has one of these, too. Makes you wonder ... how they got these past testing? This would have been one thing I would have tested for, in the design stage, for sure: Under the heading of Environmental Contamination. Forget the dust ... how about high humidity, like in Florida and Brazil? If dust is getting in at this kind of noticeable rate ... there goes the neighborhood.

[Gekko4321]

Great replies. Thanks especially to Michael for his. I just got the lens about a month ago from Adorama to answer the other gentlemens question. Hopefully I can get Canon to clean it under warranty although I have heard they do not cover this type of cleaning. Worse case, I will have to get adventurous and try the very detailed and perfectly explained procedure, Michael described with his link. One question though, will the sticker go back on perfectly without warping or falling off down the line? I don't think I have ever had a sticker re-stick after pulling it off. Thanks again for the replies!

[DonSchap]

You know ... you guys could always start the ...

"Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM Dust Club!"

An embarrassing attempt at getting some response from the manufacturer of the $1000 Dust Collector.


The above Canon Lens Customer ...
35498

Hey, I'll have you know
that I know where to buy
a vacuum, gentlemen ...
and it costs a heck of a lot
less than a grand! :mad:

35502

[Gekko4321]

Don! Your killing me!! That photo of me had similar knuckles! Ha, ha. What about that vacuum??? Is that where to mount it?? Does that work? Thanks!

[michaelb]

Great replies. Thanks especially to Michael for his. I just got the lens about a month ago from Adorama to answer the other gentlemens question. Hopefully I can get Canon to clean it under warranty although I have heard they do not cover this type of cleaning. Worse case, I will have to get adventurous and try the very detailed and perfectly explained procedure, Michael described with his link. One question though, will the sticker go back on perfectly without warping or falling off down the line? I don't think I have ever had a sticker re-stick after pulling it off. Thanks again for the replies!

I don't care about the dust myself, but I was selling the lens (haven't changed my sig yet :D) and so many people get worked up about dust in the lens.

I was little nervous about doing this but it took about 5 minutes to do and was quite easy. The sticker is attached with this "stay sticky" glue stuff and it re-attaches without a problem; I'm sure Canon does the same thing when they clean it.

My biggest concern was not scratching the glass when I removed the sticker - I used a tiny optical flathead screwdriver and put some Kleenex under the screwdriver and it worked well - the sticker comes off quite easily.

Oh, and by the way, if you think I've got guts (or I'm a little nuts) for simply cleaning my lens, check this out....(maybe I should have kept the 10-22! :D)....

http://www.flickr.com/groups/canondslr/discuss/72157604422834954/

In spite of the dust issue and its somewhat lack-luster build quality, I would purchase this lens again in a heartbeat - its a killer lens optically and in the end that's what really matters.

[GaryS]

Selling the 17-55 and the 10-22... It sounds like you are keeping the 5D Michael.

[Gekko4321]

Solid guys. Thanks for the help!

[michaelb]

Selling the 17-55 and the 10-22... It sounds like you are keeping the 5D Michael.

Yea, but to be honest I'm still not sure I'm completely happy with my decision. Those were some great lenses; I miss them already.:(
The 17-40 should arrive today though. :D
I can't bring myself to sell the 60 macro yet; its my favorite lens; wish I could use it on the 5D.

[GaryS]

I can't bring myself to sell the 60 macro yet; its my favorite lens; wish I could use it on the 5D.

I'm going to have to try out a 60mm macro. I kind of had my heart set on the the 100, but I see so many good comments on the 60....