Internal Lens Cleaning

[craig_s]

Just wondering if anyone can recommend anywhere for getting the insides of lenses cleaned, preferably in and around Edinburgh? I've got a lovely big bit of dust behind the front element that's really visible when the lens is at its widest.
How much should it cost roughly? Don't want to end up paying over the odds just because I don't know the going rate.
All suggestions and advice are much appreciated .
ETA - It's a Nikkor 18-75 just in case that makes a difference.

Edited by craig_s on Saturday 3rd April 15:21

[GetCarter]

...and you're SURE it's not on the sensor?

Edited by GetCarter on Saturday 3rd April 15:44

[craig_s]

Positive, it only appears when I use this lens. I think I'd rather it was on the sensor, that seems easier to clean! Here's a picture of it:

[GetCarter]

Oh, OK then... but first up 18-75 - you mean 18-55? If so... new they are about £100, so cleaning will cost you (guessing) £60-70 ? If so, buy a new one, sell yours on fleaBay (with note to a spec of dust) for £50.

If not 18-55 what lens!

Edited by GetCarter on Saturday 3rd April 15:58

[craig_s]

Sorry, brain isn't functioning properly, it's the 18-70, that one -> click.
Could still go with the idea of selling it on though...

[GetCarter]

It's a close call!

[Simpo Two]

Wonder if it might be possible to put it in an electrostatic field and 'persuade' the speck to jump to one side where it won't be seen?

I was measuring my TV recently and chanced to touch the metal tape measure on the hi-fi next to it - quite a spark!

[Furyous]

if you are feeling brave, you could do it yourself.

The black ring around the front of the lens is a stick on affair, under this are two diametricaly opposite small holes, fit a small panel pin in each and put a long lever between the two pins and the front element will unscrew.

Clean glass and replace.

Had a case of fungus on mine and it wasnt worth paying to get a pro clean done.

Still works fine to this day.

[GetCarter]

Simpo Two said:

I was measuring my TV recently

You should get out more mate.

[Simpo Two]

Not if I can set up a business de-dusting lenses for a tenner a go!

[craig_s]

I'm back with a slightly more worrying problem. I'm in Spain for what was meant to be a 10 day break that obviously is going to go on a bit longer now and have taken nearly 1000 pictures. The dust is visible in hardly any of the photos so I'm not bothering about that just now, what is bothering me is that the zoom has lost a big chunk of its range.
It won't come right in to 18mm and hits some sort of obstruction around 50mm. It refuses to move any further than that. It still focuses perfectly every time so my guess is that a piece of grit or something has worked its way into part of the zoom mechanism and it limiting the travel. Is there anything I can do myself or should I leave it to a professional when I get home? Could I do any more damage by using the lens while it is behaving like this?
It's just a bit odd that one minute it was working perfectly then the next it started this.

[Simpo Two]

craig_s said:

Could I do any more damage by using the lens while it is behaving like this?

I'd say so. Clearly it can't be used properly. You'll either have to get it repaired or buy a new lens. A s/h 18-70mm is about £150; I don't know how much a repair would be.

Edited by Simpo Two on Monday 19th April 11:18

[craig_s]

Thought so. Still got the 70-300 but it's not exactly a walkabout lens. If it wasn't for Iceland exploding everywhere I'd be home by now and would just take it to get fixed if it's cheaper than buying another one. I really like using it so I'm pretty gutted.
Thanks for the advice though!
Oh and I couldn't find a TV that produced enough static to move the dust spot, it just made me look a bit stupid holding a lens next to every TV I could find.