Got water in a lens, anyway to clean it?

[TheDrake]

Just as the title states, Got some water in my Tamron 17-50 2.8 with built in motor, dried all the water out but obviously there are water spots all over the inside lenses. It works fine after I dried it out. I asked Tamron how much it would be for them to clean it and they said $155 plus however much shipping to them would be. Is there anyway I can open it up and clean it without too much trouble or should I just let them do it?

I am getting out of Photography and selling some of my equipment so I dont plan to keep it either way. I may just try to sell it as is if I could get at least $175 for it and have them get the cleaning done. My D300 also got water in it and gonna consider it a loss but may try to either send it in for repair or sell it as is for real cheap. But at least figured I would ask about the tamron lens.

 

[OulOat]

Opening the lens is not a problem. If you have the right tools and a steady hand, you can easily disassemble the lens. Although this is not Tamron, these diagrams can help. You're biggest problem is putting the lens back together, with everything aligned. Since the smallest misalignment will show up on photo, it may not be worth the trouble. Also, water spots on the glass may be the first of many issues. Metal parts will get rusted and oil in the lens will become ineffective.

How did this happen in the first place? Did you drop it and the camera in water? If you did, it probably suffers from drop damage as well.

 

[whoiswes]

If you end up selling, let me know - I'm interested.

 

[TheDrake]

Thanks for the reply OulOat, I figured as much. I am going to send it in to Tamron and then sell it after it comes back, I think I will get more for it if I get it fixed then try to sell.

If you, whoiswes, wants to buy it for $175 PM me and then send it in yourself to get it fixed, let me know, but as of right now its gonna go out tomorrow morning.

 

[OulOat]

Did you get a quote for the water damage in the camera? Always wonder how much it would cost me if the weather sealing of the camera failed.

 

[TheDrake]

Did you get a quote for the water damage in the camera? Always wonder how much it would cost me if the weather sealing of the camera failed.

I talked with support at Nikon and they said that they cant give quotes until they can look at it. Sometimes it could be beyond repair, but the cool thing with Nikon is that they said just to send it to them and they will check it out, if they determine its beyond repair they will just send it back free of charge, no fee for checking it out and no shipping charges so that was pretty cool I thought. Only thing I would be out is just shipping charges to them which wouldnt be more than $15. I am sending it off Tomorrow here and as soon as I hear back from them on how much it is I will let ya know.

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

I've popped off the front glass element before on the Tamron 17-50mm many, many times. If the water spots are on the inside of the front element / outside of the second element, it can be cleaned off easily. Past that... I don't remember if I ever took it apart past that. Just need a small screwdrver and a small flathead. 20 minutes. I once did it while riding the bullet train in Japan. But in general, taking lenses apart IS very difficult precisely because of the lack of proper tools (spanners and rubber gum twisters to get off retention rings) and of course, knowing the order of disassembly and re-assembly.

And what exactly is wrong with the D300? What did you do to get water into a weathersealed camera? Salt water?

 

[ElFenix]

And what exactly is wrong with the D300? What did you do to get water into a weathersealed camera? Salt water?

if he was using it with the tamron then water can go in through the mount.

 

[ProfJohn]

Did you take any pics with the wet 300 yet??

Saw someone who dropped one in water and it produced some pretty awesome looking 'art' type photos. Made all the photos look like water colors.

 

[TheDrake]

the D300 doesnt turn on at all so no way of trying to take a picture. Was left out in the rain on the porch railing for a good 10 minutes, not a hard rain, but not a light drizzle either.

It turned on but acted very weird immediately after it got wet and after drying it out it didnt turn on at all.

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

Did the D300 have the battery grip on it? One of the fatal design flaws is that the battery grip is not weatherproofed very intelligently, and if the battery grip is all screwed up inside it could possibly affect the operation of the main body. If you have the grip, try disconnecting it and turn on the camera just by itself.

If you want to give the Tamron a go, let me know and I can write down more detailed instructions on popping off the front element.

 

[TheDrake]

yep, battery grip was on, tried it with battery grip off as well, different batteries, just about any combination.

I already sent them both off to Nikon and Tamron, respectively.

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

yep, battery grip was on, tried it with battery grip off as well, different batteries, just about any combination.

I already sent them both off to Nikon and Tamron, respectively.

Ahhh... I see. Well, the battery grip may be fried as well. If you examine the top of the battery grip you'll realize that it's basically a slight concave depression. Water flows down the camera body into the seam between the grip and body and then COLLECTS there on top of the grip. The water then seeps into the grip through the screw / screw holes that are on top, which are conveniently placed right on top of the main grip circuit boards, heh.

If you're in the rain, do NOT use the grip with the D300/D300s/D700.

 

[TheDrake]

Yeah, I was afraid to hear that too, but figured I would just send the D300 in first and then go from there. Got the estimate back from nikon about the camera and looks like they are going to be able to repair it and not cost me too much.

We will see if the battery grip is gone too. Good thing insurance covered all equipment!

 

[TheDrake]

Did you get a quote for the water damage in the camera? Always wonder how much it would cost me if the weather sealing of the camera failed.

When I called them they said a typical cleaning and calibration is a flat rate of $155. Apparently on all lenses they have flat rates of either $155 or $300, the $155 is a 'minor' repair and the $300 is a 'major' repair.

Got the estimate back and apparently they consider mine a 'major' repair and said that were was a zoom defect in it as well even though I tested it out before I send it in and it zoomed and focused just fine, guess they found something I didnt. But whatever I just told them to send it back, I am gonna see if I can sell it for $50 or something on ebay/craigslist, not worth it to me to get it repaired since I am just going to sell it anyway.

 

[OulOat]

When I called them they said a typical cleaning and calibration is a flat rate of $155. Apparently on all lenses they have flat rates of either $155 or $300, the $155 is a 'minor' repair and the $300 is a 'major' repair.

Thanks, good to know.