Why Are People So Worried About Lens Dust

Does Lens Dust Bother You?

  • Yes

    Votes: 24 26.7%

  • No

    Votes: 66 73.3%
  • Total voters
    90
itsme93

itsme93

Suspended / Banned
Messages
316
Name
Robert
Edit My Images
Yes
Hi all I have been seeing multiple posts and threads about lens dust and how to get rid of it. My 70-200 f4 has quite abit of dust a doesn't bother me as it has no affect on the performance of the lens. Saying that I don't take photos of the sky at f22. So why does it bother people if it doesn't affect the image quality. What are people's views on this. Does it bother you or do you think it is inevitable that your lens may get dust.

Thanks
Rob
 
I voted Yes, but I also know it's quite possible anyway to get some in there, but if I had a choice of 2 lenses, one with dust specs and one without I would go for the one without, I guess it's because it's glass and it's easy to see with the eye if there is some dust which you know should not be there as it's foreign object, deep down it's more psychological than any thing else as we know it usually does not show up in photo's.
 
People obsess about things. I do it - it's in my nature.

If it doesn't worry you then that's fine.
 
Wow didn't think the no poll would be that high
 
itsme93 said:
Saying that I don't take photos of the sky at f22. So why does it bother people if it doesn't affect the image quality. What are people's views on this.
Click to expand...

Exactly that. I generally use apertures of between 1.8 and 8 (just because I do). It is only when taking a picture of the sky at f22 a few weeks ago I noticed what a complete state the sensor was on my wifes camera so I got a cleaning kit and cleaned it. Not really sure why as neither of us had noticed it before...
 
I haven't voted as I'm unsure whether I'd be a Yes or No.

To explain, I don't go looking for dust in the lenses that I use, and have never noticed any when fitting filters or changing lenses. However if I bought a lens that had a level of dust that meant I noticed it as soon as I looked at the lens then that would bother me.
 
Got dust in my lens, not bothered at all.

Got dust on the back element of the lens, bothered enough to get out the blower.

Got dust on my sensor, quite bothered about those when using f22. Clean every few months or so.


Dust elements in the lens won't show up even at f22. on the sensor however.....
 
The amount of dust can be an indication of how the lens has been treated, how much it has been used, and how well it is built. Lenses that have seen much use or have been used in harsh environments are likely to have more dust. Worn seals can also allow dust to enter more freely.

Whilst it takes huge quantities of dust to become visible at a large apertures, the prevalence of dust may indicate easier access for moisture as well. Most zoom lenses attract the odd spec of dust, but I personally would avoid anything with large specs or that resembles the insides of a Dyson.
 
Last edited:
On or in the lens? I'm not over worried about dust on the lens - a quick clean will shift it (and if it doesn't, a more thorough one should!) although I would prefer to see a spotless rear element. Lots of dust inside the lens would point me towards the thought that it had been used in pretty grotty conditions and/or by someone who didn't take particularly good care of their kit.
 
I voted yes. Whilst I accept that dust has no affect on the quality of an image. When I purchase a 40 year old lens, I have to take it apart and clean it. :D

My Canon 55-250 has collected quite a lot of dust, but I wouldn't bother with that.
 
Normally I wouldn't let anything bother me, chips, fungus whatever. But my recent experience of a barely visible mark on the front element of an ultrawide lens has made me a bit more wary!
 
anyone else's views?
 
Any more comments?
 
Personally it doesn't bother me unless it is an extreme amount of dust. I think most people just use it as a bargaining tool when they are buying a lens.
 
front element i'm not too bother since is easy clean if it starts to bother me. rear element i will clean it if is too obvious lol.

I only clean sensor when it start getting really bad lol.
 
I tend to shoot at very slow shutter speeds in daylight (slow panning motorsport) so I'm usually hitting the aperture limit of a given lens on a very regular basis, therefore any dust is noticed almost immediately. However in my experience it's usually on the sensor, I've had some very dusty front filters at times but that's never shown up in photos.

What I have found surprising is dust appearing between shots (within seconds) without removing a lens, I guess some lens just inherently suck dust in. So it wouldn't bother me in terms of using it as a gauge of how a lens has been treated (within reason), it's impossible to completely protect your gear in that respect.
 
Last edited:
bovey9 said:
in the lens no, on the sensor yes. The only time it does bother me is when i come to sell the lens. people often expect a brand new lens for second hand price
Click to expand...

I'm absolute agree. Also people expect to pay cheap second hand price but expect the lens with no dust, no mark or scruff on the lens body but it does not affect image quality. Purely cosmetic thing .......

They come back and complain about the lens is not in mint - perfect condition but pay cheap second hand price ......
 
Last edited:
it annoys me from a meticulous point of view, like a scratch on the paint on my car. it makes no difference to how the car works/performs and all it does is look unsightly

I feel the same about dust in a lens.

its when the sensor gets dust that the image lets go, my old 350D had that issue from time to time, clean up and all good again.
 
I voted NO because there's nothing you can do about it anyway, so why let it worry you. If it got that bad that it affected the IQ then I'd send it in to get it cleaned. The poll is like saying 'does dust on the sensor bother you' and while it's annoying it's a fact of life. Even non interchangeable lens cameras can suffer from dust bunnies, just not as often as a dslr, and if you let it get to you then you'll end up stressed out over something that's inevitable.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top