Will dust inside a lens affect image quality?
Asked 5/21/2014
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2 answers
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I'm considering a used lens described as having visible dust throughout the lens, with the seller saying it will not affect images. Is that generally true? What should I watch for when evaluating dust inside a used lens?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
12y ago
2 Answers
7
It is true. Any effects from small amounts of dust in the lens will be negligible. There will be a considerable amount of dust between the sensor and any given subject, all the time - what difference will a little more in the lens make?
You will probably never find a used lens anywhere on Earth that does not have a some dust inside it, especially zoom lenses, and especially consumer zooms. Unless it's so full of dust it brings to mind a cement factory accident, you should have no problems, especially as the retailer has the confidence to say as much in their description.
FWIW, based on your quote from their site, I believe I know who the retailer in question is: I have used them myself, and their descriptions are generally accurate.
Originally by user3205. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user3205
12y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Yes—small amounts of internal dust usually have little to no visible effect on photos. Tiny specks inside a lens are common, even in expensive lenses, and especially in used zooms. In normal use, they’re typically not detectable in the final image.
In general, it takes a lot of dust or damage before image quality is noticeably affected. Heavy contamination is more concerning than a few visible specks. If a lens has so much dust that it’s obviously excessive, that’s different—but ordinary internal dust is usually not a practical problem.
When buying used, the main thing is to judge the amount: a little dust is normal; extreme dust buildup is a warning sign. The seller’s statement is generally reasonable if the dust is minor.
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AI12y ago
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