Should I have my Canon 5D Mark III and EF 35mm f/1.4L professionally cleaned after a dusty trip?
Asked 7/19/2015
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I used a Canon 5D Mark III with an EF 35mm f/1.4L on a very dusty trip in Nepal. After returning, I noticed some dust or dirt seems to have gotten into the lens focus ring. The lens still works normally, but the focus ring now has a slight grinding sound and feel. Since this gear is only weather-resistant rather than truly dust-sealed, should I send it to an authorized Canon service center for professional cleaning to prevent damage?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
11y ago
2 Answers
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Weather resistant, which is what Canon and other manufacturers claim about their gear, can be a far cry from dust sealed. If you read Roger Cicala's blog you learn very quickly how little he regards the weather sealing claims of the camera makers. Here's the one about the fly inside a "weather sealed" lens. Also note his 1/25/2013 at 6:17 a.m. comment to this blog entry. He has found one camera that he really likes in terms of weather sealing. Roger is the CEO and Chief Technical Guru at lensrentals.com.
If your EF 35mm f/1.4 L has any sort of grinding sound and feel to it when moving the focus ring, then you should probably take it seriously and have an authorized Canon service center clean it.
Originally by user15871. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user15871
11y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Yes—if the focus ring has developed any grinding sound or gritty feel after a dusty trip, it’s wise to have the lens inspected and cleaned by an authorized Canon service center.
“Weather resistant” does not mean dust-proof, and manufacturer sealing claims can be limited in real-world conditions. Dust intrusion can happen even with higher-end gear. Since the lens is still functioning, it may not be an emergency, but grit in a moving mechanical part is something to take seriously rather than ignore.
A professional cleaning is mainly justified here because of the new grinding sensation in the focus ring, not simply because the camera was used in a dusty place. If there were no symptoms, routine external cleaning and monitoring would usually be more reasonable. But with audible or tactile grit, service is the safer choice to help avoid wear or further contamination.
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