Cleaning lenses

[Nick Smith]

Hello all, I have a Canon 180mm F4.0 macro lens. The lens has a few annoying dust spots that appear to be internal. I have tried cleaning the exterior glass in the usual way but the spots still remain. I am considering taking the lens to an authorised Canon service centre to have the lens cleaned profesionally, but before I do that I am wondering if I could dismantle the lens and clean it myself.

Any inputs?

Cheers, Nick.

[pressld2]

Hi Nick,

Before shelling out your hard-earned on professional cleaning, take a look at this thread and the link in Graham's opening post, then decide if you really need to.

Dave P.

[BillyPilgrim]

The dust specs can look a bit annoying but I'd only bother to get it cleaned if the dirt is visible on your images. If you take the front element off yourself then I reckon you're likely to let just as much new dust in as you remove.

I'd only pay for lens servicing if it doesn't focus properly or there's some other serious issue.

[Geoff F]

As the others have replied, are you really seeing spots on your photos. And even if spots are visible, are they really lens specks or is it camera sensor spots which are a common problem with digital cameras; but easily cleaned.

Can you post some shots, preferably of a clear blue sky - if we ever see such a thing again.

Unless any lens specks are between the lens and outer filter don't even think of doing it yourself.

A lens strip down, clean and readjust from an authorised camera repairer won't be cheap so expect to pay over £100.

However, that is an expensive lens so it would be worth doing; if that really is your problem.

There are a number of Canon specialised repair companies spread around the UK and their addresses can be found from the Canon UK website. I used Colchester Cameras when I last needed a lens recalibration.

[Nick Smith]

Thanks all, the spots are visible on images which is annoying.

Nick

[BillyPilgrim]

Originally Posted by Nick Smith

Thanks all, the spots are visible on images which is annoying.

Nick

Are the spots visible with a different lens attached? It does (as Geoff suggested) sound more like dirt on the sensor to me. A quick clean with a kit costing around a tenner will get rid of that.

[Nick Smith]

Originally Posted by BillyPilgrim

Are the spots visible with a different lens attached? It does (as Geoff suggested) sound more like dirt on the sensor to me. A quick clean with a kit costing around a tenner will get rid of that.

No, it is just with the 180mm lens.

Thanks, Nick.

[Geoff F]

I suppose the obvious double check is to try the lens on another camera, if that is possible.

But it does now appear likely that you will have to send it to a specialist Canon repair company.

I wonder if it is actually mould growing on the inside of the lens, which can occur particularly on lenses which are seldom used.

Recently, while sorting out some old film lenses, I found one lens which was very badly infected. As this was just a cheap old lens I simply ditched it.