lens destroyed in small airplane

We are frequent air travellers and after a recent flight in a small plane in Africa realised the tele lens is blurry, especially at the edges, and can`t focus clearly. I use a Canon 600D and Sigma 70-300mm tele lens (which has been stored in a lined plastic container with lids to close). The 18-55mm Canon lens that has been sitting on the camera doesn`t seem to be affected.

I wonder what happened to the Sigma. I had it for 2 years, but only used it on 3 trips really. I assume it has to do with the lack of cabin air pressurisation in the small propeller plane and maybe the high quality Canon lens handled it better. Anyone heard of that, any ideas?

I want to replace the broken Sigma (quality was good for the price but not brilliant) with a Canon 55-250mm IS. Is there a better way to store the equipment during flights? Is there something like airtight containers for cameras?

Nicc66 wrote in post #17204328
Canon 600D

Canon EOS 600D

I rather doubt it was pressure, more likely vibration or tough handling. A case with more padding, perhaps a hardcase for transit

Nicc66 wrote in post #17204328
I want to replace the broken Sigma (quality was good for the price but not brilliant) with a Canon 55-250mm IS. Is there a better way to store the equipment during flights? Is there something like airtight containers for cameras?

Stormcase who was bought by Pelican.

Even Pelican cases, known for their strength, are intentionally not air tight. Doing so would make them nearly impossible to open after a descent.

gonzogolf wrote in post #17204335
I rather doubt it was pressure, more likely vibration or tough handling. A case with more padding, perhaps a hardcase for transit

This.
Airliners typically have a cabin altitude of 7000ft & most small unpressurized planes don't go much higher than that unless they need to (mountains/radar coverage). I've flown with my camera gear in my small plane plenty of times & never had a problem.

ozzmodan wrote in post #17204589
This.
Airliners typically have a cabin altitude of 7000ft & most small unpressurized planes don't go much higher than that unless they need to (mountains/radar coverage). I've flown with my camera gear in my small plane plenty of times & never had a problem.

Hi. So what you are saying is that under 7000ft the pressure can`t harm a lense? We`re going to do this again next year

are you sure the lens hasn't been treated to the especially "gentle" handling of the world-renowned baggage mis-handlers?

Not caused by air pressure. The Sigma zoom will be open to the atmosphere, otherwise air pressure would prevent the barrel from extending whilst zooming (yes, it's not just push-pull zooms that suck air in and blow it out again). This means that there will be no pressure difference between the inside and outside.

Nikon would say that is impact damage.

Any chance the problem was moisture condensation? Have you checked the lens again after it's had time to stabilize/acclimate?

Agree it's definitely NOT cabin pressure.
It must have received a bit of a bump somewhere along the line, and moved an element out of alignment.

Nicc66 wrote in post #17204665
Hi. So what you are saying is that under 7000ft the pressure can`t harm a lense? We`re going to do this again next year

I've been in an unpressurized plane up to 15000ft & didn't have any issues with lenses. I'm just saying that pressurized planes still aren't pressurized to sea level.

If lenses had problems with altitude, there would be a ton of headaches for people in Colorado. There are several places that are over 10,000ft MSL.

Nicc66 wrote in post #17204328
We are frequent air travellers and after a recent flight in a small plane in Africa realised the tele lens is blurry, especially at the edges, and can`t focus clearly. I use a Canon 600D and Sigma 70-300mm tele lens (which has been stored in a lined plastic container with lids to close). The 18-55mm Canon lens that has been sitting on the camera doesn`t seem to be affected.

I wonder what happened to the Sigma. I had it for 2 years, but only used it on 3 trips really. I assume it has to do with the lack of cabin air pressurisation in the small propeller plane and maybe the high quality Canon lens handled it better. Anyone heard of that, any ideas?

I want to replace the broken Sigma (quality was good for the price but not brilliant) with a Canon 55-250mm IS. Is there a better way to store the equipment during flights? Is there something like airtight containers for cameras?

The pelican hard cases are nice, the model 1510 is legal to carry on commercial air liners.
What about a 100 to 400 mm L. Ps that is a 1510 pelican case under the 100 to 400mm

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Definitely not pressure. Lens is not air tight, so pressure will equalize. Buy commercial airplane has cabin pressure between 7000-9000ft only, much lower than some mountain around the world. How blurry is your sigma? you sure isn't shutter speed too slow?