Cleaning inside the 100-400L

Anyone done this theirselves?

I know these lens are known to be "dust pumps", so this is probably something that has been tackled before. I do indeed have dust in there, but more so than that.....I had alot of moisture on the inner glass....so much, my camera/lens wouldn't AF this past weekend for a good 30 minutes, until some of the moisture cleared up. The moisture got in there for a drizzle at the air show at NAS Oceana this past weekend.

Any tips? Or anyone possibly recall the cost for Canon to douche it?

TIA.

Don't. Do. It.

The elements in the lens are VERY precisely arranged. You WILL change this arrangement if you crack it open.

Send it to Canon. : )

If you do open it up post pictures, I'd love to see the guts!

this might help...

https://photography-on-the.net …&highlight=100-400mm+open

Unless you want to end up with a £1500 paperweight don't touch it,send it to Canon.

If it's behind the front group, and it's like most lenses, the front group can probably just be removed with a few screws, cleaned then dropped back in.

If it's anywhere else though then I simply wouldn't do it with that lens, at least unless you've had the chance to work on/disassemble a broken one first and so know what you're doing.

Have a look here http://www.f20c.com …204.5-5.6L%20IS%20USM.PDF see the amount of parts, do you really want to chance it?

I also believe that some lens need a special Canon tool to open them, and some are glued sealed.

Rayk wrote in post #13177568
Have a look here http://www.f20c.com …204.5-5.6L%20IS%20USM.PDF see the amount of parts, do you really want to chance it?

I also believe that some lens need a special Canon tool to open them, and some are glued sealed.

Looking at the DIY pics from the other threads posted, doesn't look like too big of a deal. I am mechanically inclined also, so I don't have any real fear of taking it apart. Just more or less was curious as to what could go wrong......and what to look for.

I might take this task on, especially since I can't really get a quote from Canon. I will surely create a thread and document the process, if I take it on.

Thanks for the replies.......both ways.

here you go

https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=948918

I had mine repaired for a worn out part.... Can't remember what they called it, but it was the paper sleeve which allows the pumping action. At repair and the cleaning which went with it was $119.

minh2pac wrote in post #13181064
here you go

https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=948918

Yup, saw that one as well. I think I will definitely be taking this task up in the next few days.

Heck take it apart, how can we learn if you don't do it .........

I mean, I didn't have anything to do last night, nothing on TV and I took the automatic transmission from the car apart, since it didn't shift the way I wanted it to.

TV looks bad tonight, I think I'm going to do open heart surgery on the wife's cat. Here kitty kitty....

Mark H

Not even sure what this reply was about, or how it was intended for delivery.......but I'll play......

P51Mstg wrote in post #13186134
Heck take it apart, how can we learn if you don't do it .........

I mean, I didn't have anything to do last night, nothing on TV and I took the automatic transmission from the car apart, since it didn't shift the way I wanted it to.

Seen several threads about people taking it apart, far enough that I want/need to go anyways......so I don't feel like it is going to be any risk at all. If I dont' feel comfortable when I dig into it, I'll stop and send it off. I'll have to pay the same either way if it goes to Canon.

Ironically enough, the last time I got bored and pulled a transmission out was 3 nights ago.......because it wasn't shifting properly. I just got bored with the video game I was playing. (this isn't sarcasm)

:p

Can't wait to see your tear down shoot.
As long as you don't put it into wash machine, Canon service center should be a good backup option

I did it, and am glad I did. I was going to dip into it blind, but with the links some of you provided me.....I got confidence just from reading others notes on how easy it really is. Its a matter of being careful, taking your time, and concentrating a little. I had it apart and back together in about 45 minutes. I took about 15 minutes to clean the front element, since that was my goal anyways.

All pictures were from my Samsung Fascinate......Android phone.


The start......

Congrats on the successful surgery. I did the same to a 17-55 is. Actually pretty easy.