Crystal growth inside lens - how to clean?

Oxygen · 26 Feb 2007 at 22:24

Cleaning my Canon Zoom Lens 75-300mm and I spied this strange formation on the inside :eek:

I took the outer casing off but cannot get inside to clean it, any ideas folks?
Will it be a professional cleaning job?

I'd say it's some condensation formed on a recent snowboarding trip in Austria

Have you had similar and how did you fix it...any help appreciated.

Nazbit · 26 Feb 2007 at 22:27

Wow I've never seen anything like that before. I would guess that it probably is as you say something to do with a trip to the snow.

On the inside though? :confused:

Im sure someone here will have an answer though.

danza · 27 Feb 2007 at 00:23

Looks like frozen/unfrozen condensation has left an odd pattern to me.

I wouldn't take it apart tbh, you'll fill it with all kinds of dirt, let alone what's already there (unless you have access to a cleanroom environment).

I'd imagine it would be rather uneconomical to have it cleaned, but if it bugs you that much, perhaps get some quotes.

Does it notice in any shots you've taken? If not, just leave as is, and keep an eye on it.

Johnny|lucidcomposure · 27 Feb 2007 at 00:34

Have you been storing your lenses in cold places ?

Looks like residu to me thats formed (like Danza thinks)

Oxygen · 27 Feb 2007 at 07:40

Hmmm....I haven't noticed it in pictures from the trip.

I tried using a hair dryer last night in the hope of heating the air inside and disolving the crystals. Only marginal improvement at best.

thanks guys... I will keep an eye on it for now.

robertgilbert86 · 27 Feb 2007 at 08:30

Stick it in the oven, 100C for 4 hours?

I've heard this as a solution to fix a wet mobile phone. Sounds a bit extreme but these products are made to tolerate high temps.

I accept no responsibility!

Flibster · 27 Feb 2007 at 13:02

*insert nuke it in the ovaries type GD post here*

It is a very pretty pattern though. Shame it's probably knacked the lens.

Simon/~Flibster

danza · 27 Feb 2007 at 13:16

robertgilbert86 said:
Stick it in the oven, 100C for 4 hours?

I've heard this as a solution to fix a wet mobile phone. Sounds a bit extreme but these products are made to tolerate high temps.

I accept no responsibility!

DON'T DO IT!!!

I work in optical engineering, and to do stuff like that you must use a reliable, temperature controlled oven. A domestic oven at 100 degrees would probably be between 70-130 deg. Many plastics soften at 80 plus, and many will turn into a gloopy puddle at much over 100.

I doubt what's there is actually crystal growth, more probably tide marks from evaporated frozen water. The chances are it'll cause no hassle at all.

Oxygen · 27 Feb 2007 at 14:01

Nothing left to do but get out there on the weekend and see if it effects pictures taken.

Ta for the input everyone