RF15-35mm water ingress

[Deepgreen]

I set my camera up for an astrophotography shoot (used with star tracker) recenty, under clear skies and a dry forecast. However a brief but heavy isolated shower hit in the early hours and my 15-35mm lens acquired a pool of water between the outer and second glass elements. I have tried burying it in uncooked rice as a moisture 'wick' and leaving it in the sun for hours (not excessive heat). The bulk of the pool had gone but a cluster of droplets remained on the central area. A couple of questions - how does moisture enter so readily but is so hard to remove, and can anyone suggest a good method I haven't tried? Currently I have it in a fan oven (!) set to only 40C to try to drive the moisture out with the resultant warmth and low humidity in the oven, and I am monitoring frequently to check for excessive heat. The lens is very warm to the touch but no more so than if it is left in the sun for a while.

 

[Deepgreen]

I abandoned the oven option and just left it in the warm, but not hot, sun for a couple of days. However, now it is dry, I am getting an error code 60 when I put it on the camera. The lens is physically fine (not dropped or damaged in any way) and all controls are smooth and normal. Any advice? I have tried other lenses - the camera is fine with them, and I have tried removing the battery and cards - no effect.

 

[Grahamk]

This is from the Canon Canada website:

“Err 60
Description
An error occurred preventing shooting, the lens movement may be obstructed.
Resolution
Check that the lens is clear from obstructions
Turn the power switch off and then on again

If the error message is still showing, then trying a second lens (if available) is recommended to isolate the issue.
If the issue remains when using a second lens then it is necessary for the camera to be inspected by a Canon Service Center.
If the issue does not remain with a second lens, then submitting the camera and first lens to service is recommended.
If a second lens is not available, submitting the camera and lens to service is recommended.
If the error message is still showing, then it is necessary to deliver or send the camera to an authorised repair centre. “

 

[Deepgreen]

Thanks for this - yes, I have seen Canon's advice. I was just wondering if any members here had further thoughts on what the specific fault might be with a lens where the only issue has been a small amount of water ingress but no physical/impact damage.

 

[Deepgreen]

Now I have discovered that, for reasons unknown, the aperture diaphram has a loose element which is preventing the diaphram from moving and, presumably, causing error code 60. There has been no impact damage for nearly two years, and that was repaired then, since when the lens had performed perfectly. I have submitted the lens to Canon UK and they have given me an estimate to repair of...£1,123!! The estimate includes replacng all the glass elements in the lens and the diaphram itself (which is only £22.50!). I cannot see why the undamaged lens glasses all, according to Canon, need replacing at such vast cost when it was only the outer element pair that saw the water ingress (and which weren't damaged in the process either, so only require cleaning). I would be grateful for any thoughts on this - it is a ridiculous amount of money for a repair (the labour is quoted as three hours at £80 per hour).

I also would be interested to know why a lens of this quality and cost, which is sold as 'weather-sealed', would admit rain water from a brief shower. It was left out overnght for an astro shoot and a short, sharp shower hit unexpectedly which left a pool of water inside the outer-most glass. Not impressed.

 

[Deepgreen]

Canon have come back to me again with the offer of a 20% discount on their repair quote of £1,123. I have further responded by saying that I am not prepared to pay over half the cost of a new lens for a simple repair - only the aperture diaphram is damaged, but Canon insists that every part of the lens bar the barrel needs to be replaced with new, which is ludicrous. Their repair policy is that everything they repair must leave their lab in as-new condition, rather than in adequately-functioning condition, which in this case for them means replacing perfectly good glass with new, etc. They have even claimed that the metal barrel section which connects to the camera has damage, but what they show in their photo of the supposed 'damage' is a machined indentation from manufacture that is supposed to be there!!

They state that all the glass needs to replaced as it may be damp and may promote fungal growth. This is rubbish - the glass just needs cleaning - it has to be removed to replace it anyway so could easily be cleaned in the process rather than throwing it away. I have another lens (RF24-240) which I accidentally dropped in a river, which I dried out and now use daily with no fungus appearing whatsoever. That is nearly two years after the immersion!

This is extremely frustrating as I am now stuck with a useless £2,000+ lens which could be brought back to life at a fraction of the cost they are quoting.

I have told them I am happy to waive any guarantee of workmanship on the glass and only require it for the diaphram, to no avail. They have even offered me a 20% discount but that still leaves the cost not far short of £1,000! They also refuse to answer my question of what weather conditions are actually included in their proud claim of "weather-sealed", if a rain shower seemingly is not!

This is corporate intransigence at its worst and I am very disappointed. By the way, their responses are written in really poor English (e.g. writing "whole" rather than 'hole'!).

 

[Kamoshika]

Corporate intransigence can indeed be extremely frustrating. The only thing I might suggest is to look into a reputable, 3rd-party repair shop.

 

[Deepgreen]

Corporate intransigence can indeed be extremely frustrating. The only thing I might suggest is to look into a reputable, 3rd-party repair shop.

Yes, that's what I am trying. Two have refused to look at it so far! Thanks for the response.

The really weird thing is that they will have to take the existing, undamaged but possibly very slightly damp glasses out anyway (although I don't believe there is a drop of moisture left inside after all this time), so why not just clean them rather than throw away valuable, precision items? Unless they DO clean them, of course, and then pass them off as new to the next mug...

However, despite their keenness to waste materials like this they do advise me not to print the e-mail to save the world!

 

[Kamoshika]

Just to add:

This place was recommended on Reddit (though probably inconvenient for you):

H. Lehmann Ltd Camera Repairs Canon & Nikon

Professional Camera and Lens Repair Service - H Lehmann Ltd are a Repair Centre for Canon and Nikon branded cameras providing Under Warranty Repairs and Out of Warranty Repairs.

www.hlehmann.co.uk

 

[Deepgreen]

Just to add:

This place was recommended on Reddit (though probably inconvenient for you):

H. Lehmann Ltd Camera Repairs Canon & Nikon

Professional Camera and Lens Repair Service - H Lehmann Ltd are a Repair Centre for Canon and Nikon branded cameras providing Under Warranty Repairs and Out of Warranty Repairs.

www.hlehmann.co.uk

It's not close but may be worth a try. Nevertheless, I appreciate the information - many thanks.

 

[Deepgreen]

It's not close but may be worth a try. Nevertheless, I appreciate the information - many thanks.

They have replied by saying they will just send the lens to Canon. Another reputable repairer I have tried says that the various glasses and the diaphram are supplied as one unit, which, if that is the case, why has Canon listed the various elements individually (with separate prices for each one) in their quote to me, rather than as one indivisible unit?