G9 dust in camera

[dougsturgess]

I noticed recently there's what appears to be a fairly large piece of dust (3-4mm when viewed on the LCD screen). The dust spot is maximized at full telephoto and goes away about half way back. I've tried cleaning the lens but that doesn't solve the problem. I've done all I know to do so thought I'd as around and see if anyone has run into this problem or has a solution before I send the camera in to be services. I got the camera less than a year ago.

Thanks.

[abdulMuiz]

http://www.totalvac.com/electrolux.htm

[dougsturgess]

http://www.totalvac.com/electrolux.htm

Serious responses only, please.

[CandidG9]

I'm sorry to read your post Doug. Have you any idea how the dust could have got in?

I had a dust problem a few years back with a Fuji pro-sumer camera. The service charge was going to be about the same as buying something else so I junked the Fuji and invested in the Olympus E-1 with it's excellent anti dust system.

After 3 years of use and frequent lens changing - no trace of dust at all.

Do keep us up to date re the G9 - and good luck too.

[dougsturgess]

I'm sorry to read your post Doug. Have you any idea how the dust could have got in?

I had a dust problem a few years back with a Fuji pro-sumer camera. The service charge was going to be about the same as buying something else so I junked the Fuji and invested in the Olympus E-1 with it's excellent anti dust system.

After 3 years of use and frequent lens changing - no trace of dust at all.

Do keep us up to date re the G9 - and good luck too.

I don't have any idea how the dust got in there. The lens is fixed so no chance there. I think it had to be in there at the factory & worked it's way to where it's at now. It wasn't there until my last trip a couple of weeks ago & I noticed it there & it didn't change over the 2 weeks of using it. I have a 20D I use normally so this was just used for movies & quick pics.

[denncald]

I've had my G9 since March, but no dust yet, thankfully. It has been a problem for some folks though, and has been an item of discussion on other forums. Here's a couple from the DPR site;

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1010&message=27873091&changemode=1 (oldest thread)

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1010&message=28866516&q=G9+dust+in+lens&qf=m (more recent)

Dennis

[supraman2133]

The dust is inside. There's a bunch of people that have the same problem. The retractable lens sucks dust in as it retracts back inside the body.

[5Dmaniac]

Only solution is to send it to Canon for repair. There is no way for you to clean the sensor. Sorry - I had the same problem with my G7 and just recently had it wit a G10.

[CandidG9]

Is it worth getting something like THIS (http://www.lensmateonline.com/store/G9_G7.html) to prevent dust being 'sucked in' as the lens retracts - especially if you use a filter or end cap too??

.

[dougsturgess]

Only solution is to send it to Canon for repair. There is no way for you to clean the sensor. Sorry - I had the same problem with my G7 and just recently had it wit a G10.

So, they haven't fixed the problem that started w/G7 & the G10 still has the problem?

[MarKap77]

The dust is inside. There's a bunch of people that have the same problem. The retractable lens sucks dust in as it retracts back inside the body.


Hmm, you sure about that? It would seem to me that when the lens is retracting back into the body, it would be displacing air OUT of the camera, not sucking air INTO the camera. Now, when you power up and the lens is extending, THEN it might suck in air and therefore possibly some dust, but not while retracting. That just go against the laws of physics.

[CandidG9]

Either way my idea (above) might keep the dust out!

[dougsturgess]

Well, nothing worked so I shipped it off today. I purchased it 1/8/08. Just in time. I may have to buy the add on lens as people have suggested. Too bad because I like the design compared to my G2. Now I'll have to get another bag for it.

I find it hard to believe Canon hasn't fixed this major design flaw since the G7

[CandidG9]

Do report the conclusion of the story. As a new G9 owner I'm very interested in the outcome.

[KarlMarsh]

Do report the conclusion of the story. As a new G9 owner I'm very interested in the outcome.

I have been through it 4 times so I can tell you the outcome. You send the camera in to Canon and it comes back as good as new. Then a couple thousand clicks later you will have the same problem again. If you are lucky and it is still under warranty you send it in again and it comes back as good as new. If you are not under warranty its $145 + shipping to have it returned to new.

This is why I got rid of my G7 and my G9. I will not be buying the G10 since Canon does not seem to care to fix this issue that they are very aware of.

[CandidG9]

It's not geographical is it? Isn't Nebrakska quite windy = dusty? Or is that a load of tosh :)

[Cali Agent]

Welcome to G9 on your sensor club. I had only used my G9 for about a month and tada! Dust. I let it sit for another month before I did anything because i was getting ready for an overseas trip and I brought it along because I didn't want to bring my SLR. Anyway to make a long story short the dust eventually fell/ magically disapeared. I think Im one of the lucky few that this would probably happen to. But don't worry you're not the only one whos had a problem with dust. Best bet is to send it to CANON.

[dougsturgess]

Do report the conclusion of the story. As a new G9 owner I'm very interested in the outcome.

On 12/24 I received my G9 from the Canon service center. The service details read: "We have examined the product according to your request, and, it was found that the optical assembly had suffered some kind of shock damage causing black spots. The optical assembly was replaced. Other electrical adjustments, inspection & cleaning and parts replacements were carried out."

No mention of the large dust particle that was interfering with telephoto photos & movies that wouldn't go away.

The camera was still under warranty so no service charge. I am very impressed at the turn around time. I sent the camera in 12/17, they received it 12/19, finished the repair 12/22 & shipped it 2 day FEDEX and I did receive it 12/24.

Any comments regarding their comments on service? Has anyone else who's had the dust problem get a similar response about "black spots" or "shock damage?" I've never dropped the camera. I take extremely good care of my camera equipment.

[lukeeesteve]

I replied to another post. (I'll repeat post). I noticed that my lens barrel was getting dusty shortly after getting my g9 last year. I believe from personal experience that the lensmate and cap drastically reduces lint and dust entering the camera through the barrel. I initially got it for a polarizer, and additional lens attachment. It has been a permanent fixture on my camera for a while now.

[CandidG9]

I replied to another post. (I'll repeat post). I noticed that my lens barrel was getting dusty shortly after getting my g9 last year. I believe from personal experience that the lensmate and cap drastically reduces lint and dust entering the camera through the barrel. I initially got it for a polarizer, and additional lens attachment. It has been a permanent fixture on my camera for a while now.

Thanks Luke - it does seem logical the lensmate would help. Must get myself set up for that too

[lukeeesteve]

Ok I checked my g9 when I got home last night. The barrel is definitely almost perfectly dust free. I haven't cleaned it in over 10 months. Had the camera for more than 1 year with ~7500 actuations.

[pmollica]

Dust in G9: does Canon consider normal to have it in a fixed lens camera? I had my first dust after the guarantee had expired, and I'm not happy to pay a lot of money to repair what comes from a design flow, not by my fault.
I don't think Canon is sporting correctly, and certainly is not encouraging costumers to buy so expensive (and good, after all) cameras that has (look at the forums at fikr and dpreview) sensor (and lens) dust in their destiny.

[CandidG9]

Thanks Luke - it does seem logical the lensmate would help. Must get myself set up for that too

I did this and 6 months later no dust
:p