Canon EF 100-400 dust issues

rhody

rhody

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Just a quick question please. I'm looking at buying a Canon EF100-400 lens and keep seeing references to "dust problems" and "dust issues" with this lens.

Some seem resigned to accepting the fact that dust is an unavoidable issue with this lens and some claim Canon don't really see it as a problem.

I suppose I am concerned that there may be a point where the dust starts to affect the lens performance.

People that own and use the lens seem to rate it highly.

I don't plan to use it in any particularly dusty environment but the comments have set me thinking.

Any first hand feedback would be very much appreciated please.
 
I bought an older 100-400mm, it was manufactured in 2000 & had 1 tiny little speck of dust on the front element. I think that's pretty good for 12 years old! Obviously it had been well cared for, but must have seen a fair bit of pumping over that time & looked none the worse for it :thumbs:

Sold it because I found the push/pull tighten/loosen thing a bit awkward, traded for a 300mm prime, much more my style - point, shoot :lol:
 
Many thanks for the feedback Jim. I really like the 300mm prime but for my uses, I need the flexibility of the zoom.

I've seen lots of comments about the "dust issues" and most people appear to live with it and accept it as unavoidable.

So long as it doesn't affect image quality I'm happy to proceed.

I'm happy with the push - pull aspect as my old Series One Vivitar zoom mounted on a Canon AE1 worked the same way.

Thanks again
 
I had more dust in my 100-400 after it went back to Canon than it had before. I don't worry about it as it never shows up, mind you it only has one or two specs. My 24-105 came pre dusty LOL I kid you not.
 
Oh my dear Lord - what am I worrying about? :lol:

Thanks Steve - that raised a big smile.
 
ChrisH said:
I had more dust in my 100-400 after it went back to Canon than it had before. I don't worry about it as it never shows up, mind you it only has one or two specs. My 24-105 came pre dusty LOL I kid you not.
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Thanks Chris - I had heard that Canon kindly put more dust in before returning the lens just to prove how great the lens really is :lol:
 
Haha yeah relax. The lens gets bigger so the air has to come from somewhere inevitably carrying dust with it.

Just so you know, both my 24-105 and 100-400 draw air THROUGH THE CAMERA BODY. So don't go zooming in and out with the body resting in sand etc....
 
whom said:
Haha yeah relax. The lens gets bigger so the air has to come from somewhere inevitably carrying dust with it.

Just so you know, both my 24-105 and 100-400 draw air THROUGH THE CAMERA BODY. So don't go zooming in and out with the body resting in sand etc....
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Thanks Steve. I didn't realize that they drew air in through the camera body - so I'm still learning (never too old to learn / old dogs and new tricks spring to mind here) and when the 100 - 400 finally arrives I promise not to pump the action when its covered in sand.

All the best - rhody
 
I bought mine used, never looked to see if there is any dust in it, and I've certainly never had any issues with dust showing in shots. I'm sure there are people who have had dust issues. But I bet more of them have complained than those who have not, have boasted about it. If you follow me :thinking:

Tara
 
Had mine a few years now never had a problem with dust:)
Mine came back spotless after I sent it in to Canon for a service:)
 
Many thanks Tara and LC Pete - much appreciated.

As the fantastic plastic is now getting twitchy, I've started to shop around and the first pre-owned one I found for sale states:-

"This lens is in overall Good condition, showing some signs of use. There is a fair amount of internal dust behind the front glass, and the lens hood included has a crack in it, and is therefore held together with fabric camo tape. Complete with Canon front and rear lens caps, tripod collar, lens hood (cracked), and Canon soft lens case."

I'll keep looking for now :D
 
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I'm sure whilst dust does ingress while it's being pumped it can also be ejected somehow so if it can get in, it can get out the same way, whatever gaps that may be. I bought one new last august and sold it again around april and I had noticed dust in it a couple of times, although it did keep moving around, but when I sold it I couldn't see any dust in it at the time.
The reason I sold mine was I had only 1 body at the time and had the 100-400 and a Sigma 150-500 OS so I kept the one I found to be the best overall for my needs. I would now love to see what photos I'd get from it when coupled with my 5D3. I've got a 60D as well now but I've got a Sigma 120-400 OS to play with for that.
 
That's really interesting Stuart, thank you.

I was, and probably still am, dithering / considering the Sigma's as well.

I get confused with too much choice :lol:
 
Owned mine about 6 years and not a speck of dust in it. It was even used at santapod for 3 days on the dustiest day i've ever seen in my life (from the soil) plus all the carbon dust etc from the drag strip flying around in clouds.


rhody said:
Just a quick question please. I'm looking at buying a Canon EF100-400 lens and keep seeing references to "dust problems" and "dust issues" with this lens.

Some seem resigned to accepting the fact that dust is an unavoidable issue with this lens and some claim Canon don't really see it as a problem.

I suppose I am concerned that there may be a point where the dust starts to affect the lens performance.

People that own and use the lens seem to rate it highly.

I don't plan to use it in any particularly dusty environment but the comments have set me thinking.

Any first hand feedback would be very much appreciated please.
Click to expand...
 
whom said:
Just so you know, both my 24-105 and 100-400 draw air THROUGH THE CAMERA BODY. So don't go zooming in and out with the body resting in sand etc....
Click to expand...
Just curious -
Where does the air get in and out of a sealed body? And does the lens have air holes at the bottom?
 
gridlock said:
Just curious -
Where does the air get in and out of a sealed body? And does the lens have air holes at the bottom?
Click to expand...

From what I've read, when the lens is zoomed in and out - it draws air and causes turbulence inside the camera body.

That's all I can think of
 
Werecow said:
Owned mine about 6 years and not a speck of dust in it. It was even used at santapod for 3 days on the dustiest day i've ever seen in my life (from the soil) plus all the carbon dust etc from the drag strip flying around in clouds.
Click to expand...

Many thanks Werecow - much appreciated
 
turbotoes said:
I bought mine used, never looked to see if there is any dust in it, and I've certainly never had any issues with dust showing in shots. I'm sure there are people who have had dust issues. But I bet more of them have complained than those who have not, have boasted about it. If you follow me :thinking:

Tara
Click to expand...

A very good point Tara. I see lots of comments about dust being trapped inside the lens body but that seems to be about it. I don't see an outcry that this lens is ruined by the appearance of dust or produces images of an unacceptable quality.

So overall, this lens is high on my list of priorities
 
I bought my 100-400 new in the States a few years ago in the halcyon days of £1=$2. It has since spent over 5 weeks in the African bush, the dustiest environment I know.

Not a speck of dust to be seen in the lens.
 
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Many thanks Ian - that's good to know. Mine will not be in such a hostile environment as that - although I wouldn't say No if the chance arose.

Thanks again.
 
I am now the proud owner of this lens. It arrived today and all I can say is, it is a joy to use. The push-pull zoom is so easy to use - a duck to water springs to mind - second nature in minutes.

And the reach of a 400mm on a 7D is amazing to me - previously my max reach was 200mm so I am very pleased all round.

Have studied and inspected it very, very carefully - no internal dust to be found so if any appears - it happened on my watch.

Very many thanks everyone for all your comments and suggestions - much appreciated
 
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