50mm 1.8 mk I + Sandstorm = :-(

Last week I did my best impression of Clark W. Griswold, taking the family on a road trip vacation through western states. On day 2, a nasty sandstorm kicks up as we're in the Monument Valley/Four Corners area, and let me tell you folks, that dust and grit gets everywhere. A couple days later, my trusty EF 50mm 1.8 mark I--which I use extensively for infrared--locks aperture at f/11 and starts causing er99. The focus ring has a gritty feel to it when I turn it, so my suspicion is that dust/sand had gotten inside and jammed the aperture blade mechanics.

The good news is that after some extensive coaxing using the DOF preview button and lots of patience, I've gotten the blades freed up for the most part, but the lens still feels sluggish, and I expect it to lock up again at any time. My current plan it to remove the back plate and front ring, blasting out the innards with canned air. Anyone think this is a bad idea? Canon doesn't service this lens anymore, and I really don't want to dump $125 on a mk II, or $250 on another mk I.

Apart from a 3rd party service center, and those are few and far between these days, I don't think you have too many other good options. Give is a whirl, just stop and reverse the steps if you feel you are too far over your head.

I had to crack it open once before, when the AF/MF switch broke, so just opening the lens isn't difficult if you've got the tiny, jeweler's screwdrivers. I'm just going to open and blow, not disassemble any of the actual mechanics.

Locking the barndoor...

Of course, this is locking the barndoor after the horse is gone but, I strongly recommend anyone shooting anywhere carry an OPTECH Rainsleeve for each camera. The Rainsleeve plus a couple of rubber bands or gaffers tape will protect your camera from blowing dust as well as from the rain for which it was designed.

Also, bring a rubber syringe blower (not the kind with a brush attached), a camel's hair brush and several squares of tee-shirt material in a plastic baggie to clean your equipment.

Finally - DON"T CHANGE LENSES IN BLOWING DUST!

Sad thing is, we've got Rainsleeves. Never even thought of using them, as we'd never experienced this kind of weather before. Never occurred to me that dust would be an issue until after the fact. Didn't change any lenses outside, though. I get credit for that, at least.