Considerable dust in a lens and having it cleaned professionally?

[gilbouk]

I'm wondering if anybody has had a lens dismantled and cleaned internally to remove dust, rough cost for a super-telephoto zoom and whether the lens was as sharp afterwards as it was before. If it's a routine procedure that leaves you with a perfectly good lens - I may consider purchasing a lens with the plan to do this at a later date should I have plans to move it on - to make it more attractive in the second-hand market. What are your thoughts and experiences?

Also I've heard about lens contamination - would you avoid a dusty lens with the worry of the higher risk of fungus?

 

[moggi1964]

Dust is a common thing in older zooms and whilst you can find dust and fungus the two are unrelated in my experience.

I take lenses apart that I bought at auction and clean them up. Sometimes I'll take pictures with the lens before and after and unless the dust is significant it is only specific circumstances that show up any differences. But remember, these are generally generic 70-210 zooms from the 70's and 80's so I rarely expect incredible sharpness and contrast.

You didn't mention which lens you are considering. The lens would have to be at a bargain price and a collectible piece for you to be able to pay someone to service it and still make money if you sell it, in my view. Without knowing which lens it is hard to give an idea of what it might cost you.

 

[gilbouk]

Dust is a common thing in older zooms and whilst you can find dust and fungus the two are unrelated in my experience.

I take lenses apart that I bought at auction and clean them up. Sometimes I'll take pictures with the lens before and after and unless the dust is significant it is only specific circumstances that show up any differences. But remember, these are generally generic 70-210 zooms from the 70's and 80's so I rarely expect incredible sharpness and contrast.

You didn't mention which lens you are considering. The lens would have to be at a bargain price and a collectible piece for you to be able to pay someone to service it and still make money if you sell it, in my view. Without knowing which lens it is hard to give an idea of what it might cost you.

It’s a modern lens which is in a way is surprising - the housing is excellent condition. Just seems to have a fair amount of dust visible. It’s the canon 100-400mm mkii and it’s about a third cheaper than the normal price of one in the same condition without dust. I don’t mind paying a little more once the dust has been removed if it means I can get the lens now rather than waiting a month or so when I can afford one without dust

 

[moggi1964]

Unless it is a weather-sealed lens, dust does seem to find a way in to most glass over time I have found.

I've not ever used Canon lenses but maybe you could contact these guys and see if they could provide a ballpark figure for stripping and cleaning. They seem to get a good review. Oh and make sure it includes reassembly

 

[Lemaildetom]

Last time I sold a lens to LCE. The LCE guy called me back to say that at inspection they found a "large object" inside the lens which I hadn't notice. I was surprised when he told me they could get the dust removed for £30. I was pretty happy with that outcome.

 

[SFTPhotography]

It’s a modern lens which is in a way is surprising - the housing is excellent condition. Just seems to have a fair amount of dust visible. It’s the canon 100-400mm mkii and it’s about a third cheaper than the normal price of one in the same condition without dust. I don’t mind paying a little more once the dust has been removed if it means I can get the lens now rather than waiting a month or so when I can afford one without dust

Any zoom with an extending barrel is fair game for this. If they can suck dust bunnies into the sensor, they can suck dust into the internals.

Extending barrel zooms are wretched if the barrel has a wide movement range. Best with internal zooming to avoid this.