70 to 200 f/2.8L IS USM has sand - Please advise

Tamron 70-180mm F/2.8 Di III VXD

08/12/2006 10:02:54 PM · #1

I am just sick - my dream lens has sand under the ring that is for distance.. not the focus ring.. I can hear it when I turn it.... what will that mean? Will that get into the glass?

MadMan2k

Sony Alpha a6400

08/12/2006 10:12:27 PM · #2

Yikes. I would try to send it in for repair rather than taking it apart, considering it's a $1700 lens and all...

I think it might scratch up some gearing stuff inside, but I don't know if any glass elements rub against each other so they probably won't get scratched.

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

08/12/2006 10:23:58 PM · #3

Thank you Mad for your response...I hope there is someone who will give me a little insight into what this will mean.. is the lens ruined... will they cover that under warranty (I doubt it) anyone got any thoughts on this?

wavelength

Nikon D300

08/12/2006 10:24:07 PM · #4

Not having specific experience with that lens, I'm not for sure, but I believe the zoom ring is separate from the internals. However, best not to use it anymore and to send it in for service. :(

That stinks Maggie, I know how much you love that lens.

Tamron 70-180mm F/2.8 Di III VXD

08/12/2006 10:25:11 PM · #5

Thanks Steve, I am just sick ....

MadMan2k

Sony Alpha a6400

08/12/2006 10:30:51 PM · #6

I'm pretty sure they can fix it, L-series lenses aren't made of crap. They'll probably just disassemble it, clean it all out, maybe replace some rings or something, and put it back together. Shouldn't be too expensive, but I've never had a lens repaired.

doctornick

Apple iPhone 13 Pro

08/12/2006 10:46:58 PM · #7

As a precaution I'd send it in to Canon for a servicing. But these L-lenses are pretty rugged and can take quite a lot of abuse...so I wouldn't worry too much about it. But I'd still send it in as a precaution.

Sony 24-70mm F4 Vario-Tessar T* FE OSS

08/12/2006 11:17:11 PM · #8

Thanks for your kind words doctornick - and MadMan, thanks for taking the time to leave a nice comment on one of my photos, that was a very kind and picked up my spirits a bit.

Bear_Music

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

08/12/2006 11:37:40 PM · #9

The lens will be fine, but it does need to be opened up and cleaned. Don't delay; that sand probably has salt with it, assuming it's seashore sand, and maybe even if it is not.

R.

Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS

08/12/2006 11:43:16 PM · #10

Thank you Robt. When you say opened up, is that something that can be done by someone other than a canon tech or will that void a warranty or something... I just can't imagine being without it for any length of time.

kirbic

Canon EOS R5

08/12/2006 11:46:59 PM · #11

Originally posted by MacClavey:

You'll definitely want Canon to do this. Yes, it will void waranty if anyone except Canon or Canon authroized service personnel dissassemble the lens. Hard as it is to do, send it to Canon.

lemondster

Canon EOS-20D

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

08/12/2006 11:47:04 PM · #12

if you dont mind me asking, how did the sand get under the zoom ring

the reason why i ask is that i take many many photos in very dusty situations and i have the 70-200 f/4L. and is there any good way to prevent this from happening?

doctornick

Apple iPhone 13 Pro

08/12/2006 11:47:44 PM · #13

Originally posted by MacClavey:

Canon authorised service center or you will void your warranty. Don't chance it....or you'll end up with a $1700 doorstop...

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

08/12/2006 11:50:45 PM · #14

I can't even imagine why it happened today... there was no wind so no blowing sand.. the only thing I can think of is when I went to get up from the sand (i was laying down to get a shot of a sandpiper at his level) my hands were a bit sandy... I was using the zoom ring and some sand must have fallen in just the right (wrong) spot... next time I will wrap it in plastic and use rubber bands to hold it in place... I hope that my bad experience will help others to avoid what happened to me today. I will send it in to Canon.. sure hope they don't take too long.... :(

lemondster

Canon EOS-20D

08/12/2006 11:57:06 PM · #15

if you dont mind, would you send me a pm when you get it back. so far i have been really lucy but im curious what a repair like that would set me back.

$400 repair on $1700 lens = worth it

$400 repair on $600 lens = excuse for new lens ;)

thanks,

Matt

Message edited by author 2006-08-12 23:57:44.

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

08/13/2006 12:01:12 AM · #16

Yes lemondster I will post the outcome in the forums as it might be good info for others if they ever have this happen. Thank you all very much for your comments,I really appreciated them.

klstover

Panasonic DMC-FZ8

08/13/2006 01:29:24 AM · #17

Originally posted by MacClavey:

MadMan, thanks for taking the time to leave a nice comment on one of my photos, that was a very kind and picked up my spirits a bit.

I left you another comment - I think your spirits could probably use a bit more picking up. I looked at the first few images in your portfolio and chose one that didn't yet have a comment, without looking at the thumbnail - and it just so happened that I LOVED the photo I commented on. :-) (Just in case you thought maybe I was saying things I didn't mean, to make you feel better - I wasn't!)

I hope everything gets sorted out soon!!

Message edited by author 2006-08-13 01:30:30.

LoudDog

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT

08/13/2006 01:30:11 AM · #18

Isn't the lens weather sealed? If so, the sand should not get any where that will cause serious damage. My guess is it's on a external bearing surface, makes a lot a noise and probably feels scary, but really it's not doing any damage that will ever be of notice.

If it were me, I'd use a shop vac and try to suck the sand out. If you get it out I'd consider the case closed. If you can't, I'd contact a professional lens person and get a good worst case. I doubt they would need to open the lens to get it if it's weather sealed.

Side note, my wife dropped the 100mm f2.8 macro in the sand during a lens change, no caps. Sand was all over and in it. I let it dry, and carefully/patently with a shop vac and a long needle I was able to dislodge and suck up every individual piece of sand. No probems to date.

Edit to add, I never had to open anything to get it all.

Message edited by author 2006-08-13 01:32:16.

ergo

08/13/2006 01:46:22 AM · #19

I've had sand under zoom ring on both my 24-70 and 70-200 while shooting in arid or desert conditions. The L line is meant to tolerate some abuse, and I'd reckon with my lenses the sandy bits just got ground to smaller bits and disappeared over time (not too long).
Maybe write to Canon and ask their tech support for advice?

MikeJ

Canon EOS-1D Mark II

08/13/2006 01:47:02 AM · #20

If the lens is still under warrenty, I suspect Canon will clean it without charge, even if it is sand under the ring. They are pretty good at taking care of the professional equipment, even if it's not owned by a professional. They are also pretty fast at doing the work. I sent in a D30 to replace the shutter assembly. Cost was $185 and it took 10 days, including the time they sent me the estimate and waited for my ok and credit card number to do the work. I did all the correspondence by e-mail after the initial phone conversation before I sent it in. I used the Canon service center in Irvine, Calf.

If it's still under warrenty, you really should send it in and let them take care of it. Yes, a vacumn might get the sand... but what if there is more sand that has worked it's way inside that you don't hear or feel while you are turning the focus ring? You might not get that and it could still work it's way into the gears. Even if they charge you, they will tell you before they do the work so you will know how much it will be.

Mike

08/13/2006 02:18:53 AM · #21

Just thank you all for your comments... you really lifted my spirits.. No one but addicted photo nuts understand why the huge cry if a lens needs to be sent away... and you here at DPC understand.. I am going to see how far from where I live Irving CA is and maybe drive it there... the lens is only 5 months old but it's ok if it's not covered under warranty.. I thought it was more weather resistant because it really was a beautiful non windy day but, no matter.. it happened . I will get it fixed and it is a good call to be careful to all of us. Again, thank you so much.. and hey, it got my portfolio looked at.. (huge smile) good night all... Mac

ergo

08/13/2006 02:25:30 AM · #22

Originally posted by MacClavey:

Where did you buy the lens and was it USA or import versions?

08/13/2006 02:47:14 AM · #23

I bought the lens in Monterey CA 5 months ago and I assume that it is US version

MikeJ

Canon EOS-1D Mark II