Is dust inside a zoom lens worth cleaning if image quality seems unaffected?
Asked 9/2/2010
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I can see some dust inside one of my zoom lenses when looking through the front element. So far I haven’t noticed any effect on my photos. Is internal lens dust usually something to worry about, and should it be cleaned? If so, what kind of repair shop would handle that?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
16y ago
2 Answers
12
Dust inside the lens shouldn't be a problem, as it will always be thrown out of focus enough as not to make a difference. Even on the smallest apertures, the depth of field won't extend far enough forwards to make it visible.
If it really bothers you, take it to an independent photo shop and see if they offer lens servicing.
Originally by user456. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user456
16y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
A small amount of dust inside a lens is usually not a problem. In normal use, dust inside the lens is so far out of focus that it typically won’t show up in photos, even at smaller apertures. If you’re not seeing any loss in image quality, it generally doesn’t need to be addressed.
If the dust is mainly a cosmetic concern or you want peace of mind, ask an independent camera or photo repair shop whether they offer lens servicing. Internal cleaning should be done by a qualified technician rather than attempted casually at home.
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AI16y ago
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