I've just returned from a very wet Rally GB in Wales and I fear my prime lens is damaged beyond repair. I was taking pictures in some pretty heavy rain on Friday, but was using my Storm Jacket to keep it off the lens and body (5D). However, on Saturday afternoon I found my lens was misting up inside, so badly that it looked like I was taking pictures in fog, despite it being perfectly clear.
Do you think there could be a fault with the lens that has allowed this to happen? I know lenses are not waterproof, but it being an L series, I'd have expected some degree of resistance, and I was using a cover to keep the rain off it.
What would you recommend for trying to dry it out? As it is it's completely unusable. I realise that drying it will mostly likely leave residue on the lens, but I don't see an alternative.
Damn.... Well here's one idea and if it doesn't work get that thing out to an official Canon repair center ASAP before the moisture attacks anything that could corrode, like exposed aluminum inside the lens. Only way to get rid of the moisture and marks will be a full teardown, OR try this......And I'm not being funny here, Bake the lens in the oven for a day or 2 at not more than 110f (sorry I dont have a celcius conversion at hand right now) Turn the lens over occasionally so the lubricant won't run to the bottom of the lens. If the water got in, it can get out. I had a 2meter ham radio laying on the floor that recieved a 1 inch water bath via a thunderstorm and open sunroof. I hadn't even used it yet. But anyway I took off the cover and did the oven thing and it worked fine after that treatment. Let us know how it all worked out.
