Win a Pentax Limited Lens: Raffle Now Live!

JHD · 04-25-2010, 06:50 PM

Just noticed this today... not sure what to do. I tried to wipe
it off with compressed air (for computers) and gently rubbed
it with the cloth for cleaning my eyeglasses, but it's still there.
I might try a 'LENSPEN' but I don't want to make it worse.
Kind of bummed because I was thinking about selling this
lens but now it might not be worth that much.

The interesting thing is it is only visible at a certain angle and
not in sunlight, so I'm thinking maybe it's not a scratch?

This was taken inside under a flourescent light with a noisy Nikon.

The image below was taken outside in the shade
because it doesn't show up in direct sun.

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

Tuner571 · 04-25-2010, 06:59 PM

Hmmm, it doesn't really look like dust to me. I am guessing that it is some sort of liquid that splashed onto the lens and it left that mark. You mentioned that it only shows up at the perfect angle which leads me to believe that it has to be a dried liquid, but don't take my word on it. Hopefully, someone will chime in who really knows what that mark is.
Cory

Tom in Delaware · 04-25-2010, 07:36 PM

Fog the area of the lens with your breath and use your microfiber cloth on it. This is one reason I use Hoya HMC UV filters on my lenses.

JeffJS · 04-25-2010, 08:38 PM

I don't think that's anything that a filter would prevent. It looks like a coating defect to me. You can see a surface scratch that size on a lens without the aid of a varying angle of view.

JHD · 04-26-2010, 08:58 PM

Originally posted by JeffJS

I don't think that's anything that a filter would prevent. It looks like a coating defect to me. You can see a surface scratch that size on a lens without the aid of a varying angle of view.

Well if you are correct, I'm hoping / thinking Pentax will / should cover that under warranty. I bought the lens in January and have used maybe three times so far.

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

Jodokast96 · 04-26-2010, 09:09 PM

What effect does alcohol have on modern lens coatings? I'd be inclined to try giving it a wipe with a small amount.

SpecialK · 04-26-2010, 09:34 PM

Originally posted by JHD

Well if you are correct, I'm hoping / thinking Pentax will / should cover that under warranty. I bought the lens in January and have used maybe three times so far.

I think it's a coating issue and probably is a warranty thing, but that blemish should have no effect on the image.

JHD · 04-27-2010, 07:14 AM

Originally posted by SpecialK

I think it's a coating issue and probably is a warranty thing, but that blemish should have no effect on the image.

Those are my thoughts too ....... I did pick up a 'Lenspen' so I'll give that a go and see what happens ...... but I have my doubts that it will address this issue.

aerodave · 04-27-2010, 02:42 PM

Hate to pierce all the doom-and-gloom pessimism in this thread with a sunshine ray of optimism, but to me that looks like it could just as easily be a deposit carried by water and left behind when it evaporated. Minerals, sugar, salts...the kind of stuff that can be dissolved in rain, soda, snot, sweat, spit...you name it.

The point is, there's no harm in doing something as simple as taking a dampened lens cloth and seeing if it wipes away. It looks just like countless lens smudges I've seen that didn't just wipe away with a dry cloth. For once, I'd love to see people on this board not assume the worst as a matter of course.

Jodokast96 · 04-27-2010, 02:54 PM

That's why I suggested wiping with alcohol, provided that won't affect the lens coating.

JHD · 04-27-2010, 04:25 PM

Originally posted by aerodave

Hate to pierce all the doom-and-gloom pessimism in this thread with a sunshine ray of optimism...

The point is, there's no harm in doing something as simple as taking a dampened lens cloth and seeing if it wipes away. It looks just like countless lens smudges I've seen that didn't just wipe away with a dry cloth. For once, I'd love to see people on this board not assume the worst as a matter of course.

Nothing wrong with optimism... but as Jodokast96 implies, what is an appropriate moisturizer? Water? Eyeglass lens cleaner? Beer? Paint thinner?

Optimism is good, but it can also lead to imprudence and do more damage than good. Believe me, I'm not interested in learning the hard way, but I have an idea...

A few minutes later

Just checked the manual... Never use any organic solvent such as thinner, alcohol, or benzine... I'm going to try the eyeglass cleaner...

A few more minutes later

and just like magic - it's gone!

Thank you everyone for your input. I've learned something thanks to you!

aerodave · 04-27-2010, 05:29 PM

Glad you got it sorted out. Told you it was nuthin'

(And for the record, I would have started with distilled water and moved up from there)

rfortson · 04-27-2010, 06:47 PM

Dang! I was going to offer to take that lens off your hands and not even charge you a disposal fee.

Glad it worked out for you. Enjoy your new lens!

04-25-2010, 06:50 PM	#1
JHD Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Photos: Albums Posts: 1,406	Dust or Dirt or... on my DA 55-300mm? Just noticed this today... not sure what to do. I tried to wipe it off with compressed air (for computers) and gently rubbed it with the cloth for cleaning my eyeglasses, but it's still there. I might try a 'LENSPEN' but I don't want to make it worse. Kind of bummed because I was thinking about selling this lens but now it might not be worth that much. The interesting thing is it is only visible at a certain angle and not in sunlight, so I'm thinking maybe it's not a scratch? This was taken inside under a flourescent light with a noisy Nikon. The image below was taken outside in the shade because it doesn't show up in direct sun. Uploaded with ImageShack.us

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Pentax K-7 Dust Alert and Dust Removal Functions	brosen	Pentax DSLR Discussion	9	02-09-2016 04:43 AM
dust on sensor or dust on lens	41ants	Troubleshooting and Beginner Help	10	10-08-2009 10:28 AM
Dirt on sensor?	MiniMizer	Pentax DSLR Discussion	5	10-29-2008 09:24 AM
Dirt/dust problem. Suggestions please?	spillway	Photographic Technique	16	09-22-2008 08:17 AM
Dust, Dirt, Speck	Mr Hyde	Pentax DSLR Discussion	15	06-05-2007 09:13 PM

04-25-2010, 06:59 PM	#2
Tuner571 Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Ohio Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,549	Hmmm, it doesn't really look like dust to me. I am guessing that it is some sort of liquid that splashed onto the lens and it left that mark. You mentioned that it only shows up at the perfect angle which leads me to believe that it has to be a dried liquid, but don't take my word on it. Hopefully, someone will chime in who really knows what that mark is. Cory

04-25-2010, 07:36 PM	#3
Tom in Delaware Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Delaware Posts: 177	Fog the area of the lens with your breath and use your microfiber cloth on it. This is one reason I use Hoya HMC UV filters on my lenses.

04-25-2010, 08:38 PM	#4
JeffJS Inactive Account Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Michigan, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,484	I don't think that's anything that a filter would prevent. It looks like a coating defect to me. You can see a surface scratch that size on a lens without the aid of a varying angle of view.

04-26-2010, 08:58 PM	#5
JHD Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Photos: Albums Posts: 1,406 Original Poster	Originally posted by JeffJS I don't think that's anything that a filter would prevent. It looks like a coating defect to me. You can see a surface scratch that size on a lens without the aid of a varying angle of view. Well if you are correct, I'm hoping / thinking Pentax will / should cover that under warranty. I bought the lens in January and have used maybe three times so far. Uploaded with ImageShack.us

04-26-2010, 09:09 PM	#6
Jodokast96 Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Erial, NJ USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,134	What effect does alcohol have on modern lens coatings? I'd be inclined to try giving it a wipe with a small amount.

04-26-2010, 09:34 PM	#7
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,482	Originally posted by JHD Well if you are correct, I'm hoping / thinking Pentax will / should cover that under warranty. I bought the lens in January and have used maybe three times so far. I think it's a coating issue and probably is a warranty thing, but that blemish should have no effect on the image.

04-27-2010, 07:14 AM	#8
JHD Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Photos: Albums Posts: 1,406 Original Poster	Originally posted by SpecialK I think it's a coating issue and probably is a warranty thing, but that blemish should have no effect on the image. Those are my thoughts too ....... I did pick up a 'Lenspen' so I'll give that a go and see what happens ...... but I have my doubts that it will address this issue.

04-27-2010, 02:42 PM	#9
aerodave Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Dayton, OH Posts: 365	Hate to pierce all the doom-and-gloom pessimism in this thread with a sunshine ray of optimism, but to me that looks like it could just as easily be a deposit carried by water and left behind when it evaporated. Minerals, sugar, salts...the kind of stuff that can be dissolved in rain, soda, snot, sweat, spit...you name it. The point is, there's no harm in doing something as simple as taking a dampened lens cloth and seeing if it wipes away. It looks just like countless lens smudges I've seen that didn't just wipe away with a dry cloth. For once, I'd love to see people on this board not assume the worst as a matter of course.

04-27-2010, 02:54 PM	#10
Jodokast96 Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Erial, NJ USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,134	That's why I suggested wiping with alcohol, provided that won't affect the lens coating.

04-27-2010, 04:25 PM	#11
JHD Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Photos: Albums Posts: 1,406 Original Poster	Originally posted by aerodave Hate to pierce all the doom-and-gloom pessimism in this thread with a sunshine ray of optimism... The point is, there's no harm in doing something as simple as taking a dampened lens cloth and seeing if it wipes away. It looks just like countless lens smudges I've seen that didn't just wipe away with a dry cloth. For once, I'd love to see people on this board not assume the worst as a matter of course. Nothing wrong with optimism... but as Jodokast96 implies, what is an appropriate moisturizer? Water? Eyeglass lens cleaner? Beer? Paint thinner? Optimism is good, but it can also lead to imprudence and do more damage than good. Believe me, I'm not interested in learning the hard way, but I have an idea... A few minutes later Just checked the manual... Never use any organic solvent such as thinner, alcohol, or benzine... I'm going to try the eyeglass cleaner... A few more minutes later and just like magic - it's gone! Thank you everyone for your input. I've learned something thanks to you!

04-27-2010, 05:29 PM	#12
aerodave Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Dayton, OH Posts: 365	Glad you got it sorted out. Told you it was nuthin' (And for the record, I would have started with distilled water and moved up from there)

04-27-2010, 06:47 PM	#13
rfortson Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Houston TX Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,129	Dang! I was going to offer to take that lens off your hands and not even charge you a disposal fee. Glad it worked out for you. Enjoy your new lens!

Dust or Dirt or... on my DA 55-300mm?

Win a Pentax Limited Lens: Raffle Now Live!