Lens Damage?

[Bail]

Hello,
Recently i noticed some possible damage to my Canon 17-85mm lens, i'm not quite sure what it is and it doesn't seem to affect my photograph's, so here are some photo's of it:

On the left hand side of the lens, hope you can help.
Thanks

 

[Snap_Happy]

On the assumption that the lens wasn't like that when you first got it (I presume??), then the fact that it's a sealed unit means that it's not "casual" damage.

As a result, best I can suggest is that you left it face up, with no lens cap, on a VERY sunny day, and it just happened to focus the light onto that bit of plastic?!? Or maybe just pure coincidence that that particular bit got damaged, and the problem is simply lens overheating by being left in the sun?

Otherwise, I'd suggest some sort of plastic-munching fungus!

That said, both of those seem rather far-fetched, and I think "original damage" has to be more likely.

Assuming it doesn't worsen, then I see no reason why that should ever impact your photos - the only part of the lens that is heavily used is the centre - the very edges of a lens always suffer from abberations, so a good lens will try to avoid going too close to the edge.

 

[Taztastic]

I would also think some sort of heat damage, but maybe not directly, is there glue holding the lens in place which may have melted and run out?

Paul

 

[Bail]

On the assumption that the lens wasn't like that when you first got it (I presume??), then the fact that it's a sealed unit means that it's not "casual" damage.

As a result, best I can suggest is that you left it face up, with no lens cap, on a VERY sunny day, and it just happened to focus the light onto that bit of plastic?!? Or maybe just pure coincidence that that particular bit got damaged, and the problem is simply lens overheating by being left in the sun?

Otherwise, I'd suggest some sort of plastic-munching fungus!

That said, both of those seem rather far-fetched, and I think "original damage" has to be more likely.

Assuming it doesn't worsen, then I see no reason why that should ever impact your photos - the only part of the lens that is heavily used is the centre - the very edges of a lens always suffer from abberations, so a good lens will try to avoid going too close to the edge.

Thanks for the reply, i'm pretty sure it wasn't there when i bought it then again i can't really think of a time i have left it in the sun and i would never leave it balancing on it's lens cap. I don't think it would be fungus because there are two very small blue streaks only about 4 mm's long on the glass next to the ''deformed'' plastic.

EDIT: And Paul from what i am aware there isn't any glue on the lens but it does look like that.

 

[Taztastic]

Blue streaks....from smoke most likely...so as Nigel said, it's been in the sun too long

Paul

 

[Snap_Happy]

Blue streaks....from smoke most likely...so as Nigel said, it's been in the sun too long

Paul

I'd be tempted to agree... You could try taking it to a camera shop, but I bet they'd say the same.

Of course, on those grounds, I'd have to suggest that the damage won't get any worse, as long as you don't let it overheat again...

 

[Bail]

Blue streaks....from smoke most likely...so as Nigel said, it's been in the sun too long

Paul

I'd be tempted to agree... You could try taking it to a camera shop, but I bet they'd say the same.

Of course, on those grounds, I'd have to suggest that the damage won't get any worse, as long as you don't let it overheat again...

Ok thanks guys, hopefully it won't get any worse

 

[STOWITBELOW]

If it doesn't affect the results, try not to worry about it. Some of my old camera lenses seemed to have odd dust specks inside, but they were never visible on prints. Unfortunately I didn't like it & it always rankled.