Lens Cleaning

[sitbh]

I've recently discovered my beloved 17-80mm nikkor lens has some dust problems.

But here's the issue - it's on the inside of the glass. Both ends of the lens are clean on the outside, but this dust is on the inside of the large bit of glass at the end of the lens. I have no idea how it got in there, but if it got in, it must have a way to come out right?

Any advice? Help appreciated

 

[HoppyUK]

It's common. Most zoom lenses get longer as you zoom them, and air is sucked in, complete with dust.

A few specs is really not a problem photographically, they are quite invisible, and even a lot of specs are nothing to worry about, but it is annoying. Of course, any repair shop can clean it for you, but a few people have had a go themselves.

The dust usually collects behind the front element, and you can get at that by prizing the bezel off from the front of the lens - the cosmetic ring that sits inside the filter threads, often with the lens ID lettering on it. A bit of bravery with some watch makers screwdrivers gets the job done.

There are some sequence pics about somewhere on the web - maybe somebody has a link?

Edit: here you go - link to simple procedure for cleaning Canon 17-55mm 2.8 http://www.pbase.com/lightrules/drp

 

[Flash In The Pan]

I've recently discovered my beloved 17-80mm nikkor lens has some dust problems.

But here's the issue - it's on the inside of the glass. Both ends of the lens are clean on the outside, but this dust is on the inside of the large bit of glass at the end of the lens. I have no idea how it got in there, but if it got in, it must have a way to come out right?

Any advice? Help appreciated

Assuming it's an 18-70 there's a link somewhere here on TP to a how-to article on removing the front element to get the dust out....