After a LOT of research I've just about talked myself into this lens. The only remaining doubt is that time and again I keep reading that the lens is prone to acquire dust internally. Is this really as widespread as it seems, or is it just a relatively small number that are affected and the majority of owners don't have a problem and this goes unreported?
Canon 17-55 2.8 IS dust issue
- Thread starter magirus
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- Spike
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the lens is suseptable to dust, but it is nothing really to worry about.
I work on a building site and have been useing my camera with the 17-55 fitted twice a week to track the buildings developement.
To be fair i would say you will not get a much dustier invoroment than a building site to use this lens and mine has no dust issues at all.
I would just buy the lens and be done with it, a few specks of dust in a lens is not going to affect image quality, i think too many people worry too much about 3 or 4 specks of dust.
If it does get too bad you can either take it to a dealer and get it serviced, or there are plenty of youtube videos showing how you can do it yourself(me personally would not do this).
spike
I work on a building site and have been useing my camera with the 17-55 fitted twice a week to track the buildings developement.
To be fair i would say you will not get a much dustier invoroment than a building site to use this lens and mine has no dust issues at all.
I would just buy the lens and be done with it, a few specks of dust in a lens is not going to affect image quality, i think too many people worry too much about 3 or 4 specks of dust.
If it does get too bad you can either take it to a dealer and get it serviced, or there are plenty of youtube videos showing how you can do it yourself(me personally would not do this).
spike
Had mine a couple of years now and dust was visible under the front element but did not affect picture quality. One rainy day this summer when I was cleaning all my kit I decided to do something about it (which broke my law of 'if it's working leave it alone') and cleaned it out. There is/was an article on the web on how to do it but basically one prises off the plastic ring with the printing on, unscrew the three screws holding the front element, lift it out and a couple of puffs with the rocket blower and no more dust, replace element and there's enough residual glue on the ring to stick it back in place.
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- Steve
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I've taken mine apart several times, it's not an issue to be honest 
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- Richard
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All extending zooms suck in dust, and some are more prone to it ending up under the front element than others.
Really not a problem, but if it worries you, it's a very easy DIY job to clean. All you need is a small screwdriver and a bit of confidence. And make a careful note of exactly where the front lens section is positioned (it rotates in grooves) to maintain calibration.
Takes five minutes. Small price to pay for such a brilliant lens
Really not a problem, but if it worries you, it's a very easy DIY job to clean. All you need is a small screwdriver and a bit of confidence. And make a careful note of exactly where the front lens section is positioned (it rotates in grooves) to maintain calibration.
Takes five minutes. Small price to pay for such a brilliant lens
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- Spike
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Thanks for the replies guys. That partial dismantle and clean looks to be well inside my capabilities, so I'm just waiting for Kerso to get back from his hols now!
You will not regret buying one, it never leaves my camera.
Love it
spike
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Some dust in mine and a 1mm scratch near the outer edge of the front element, never affected any photos so sure you will be ok
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As others have said it is not an issue. I bought mine used and shot with it for over a year before selling it on and the one or two internal flecks that were present when I got it never got any more company.
I did have a protection filter permanently stuck to the front which allegedly cuts down on the risk of dust ingress with this lens. I can't say this was benefit though, may have just been coincidence.
I did have a protection filter permanently stuck to the front which allegedly cuts down on the risk of dust ingress with this lens. I can't say this was benefit though, may have just been coincidence.