lens condensation

[kelly]

I own a sigma 70-300 mm lens. It has considerable condensation in it right now. Please don't ask me how!! Let's just say that the culprit had good intentions and I love hime for that! Anyway, I have to take it to someone to fix, clean, whatever they need to do to it and I have no idea what to expect as a charge. They cannot tell me, of course ,until they see it but I want to make sure the rate is fair. One person that could help me that I know of is Jiminy. Are you listening Jiminy? hehehehe. We hail from the same neck of the woods and I have only found two camera shops. Ritz and johnsons. Not a huge selection to choose from! Neither one can give me a time frame either. well Ritz is 4-6 weeks, ridiculous!! and the other place told me when he gets to it. I NEED that lens!

Mostly venting but if you know what is or what you feel is a fair rate and fair time frame for a lens cleaning I would appreciate it!
thanks
kel

[Nicole]

Have you already tried putting the lens in a dry place (with the covers on both ends obviously) with some silica gel pellets to dry it out? You know, those little packets that you get in shoes boxes and purses that say "do not eat" on them . It may be enough to draw all the moisture out if you do it several times and there's not puddles in your lens or anything, though you'll need a good amount of packets. Might be something to try if you're willing to wait a day or two before you send your lens in to be fixed for the next month or two.

[baseballboy828]

At some point, just buy a new one. What does that lens cost, $150? If the price of repair gets above $100, just get yourself a new one.

[Jamesc359]

I know absolutely nothing about lenses, so please take my advice with a grain of salt. If it's just condensation and nothing else you could try using a small fan to air it out overnight.

[Drax]

Well, i think that it's better to wait one or two days, and see.
What of storing your lens in a dry place? It's original package, for example? My camcorder often has that problem and that's what i do.
Hopefully the drying will not leave drying marks (stains) on your lenses.

[mdwsta4]

i second the silica packet idea. that's going to pull out any extra condensation.

[kelly]

I really appreciate all the feedback that you guys have given me! I said that i did not want to talk about it but I guess being a girl at heart I am going to! hehehehe... I had dust on the outside of my lens. Happens right? Yeah, well hubby wanted to help me out and sprayed windex on it... it's spotting now. I will take it to be cleaned but I was wondering what the "normal" charge would be for that. One quote was 80.00$. I do not want to buy a new lens. I do not think it is necc. to buy a new lens. The fact that no one can give me a time frame is annoying. I do publicity for my PTA. I have several events in october and yes I have other lenses BUT I like this one! 6 weeks seems unreasonable.. Am I wrong?

Thank you for listening to my kevetching (actually reading) I so appreciate you guys!

[Nicole]

If it makes you feel better, when I was looking for some info to help you out, I came across a very similar story So apparently your hubby isn't the only one who would think that Windex cleans lenses

[WooD]

Woodn't it be better to leave the lens caps off the lens? Seems it wood dry out much faster without being all sealed up.

I've never had anything on the inside of any of my lens...yet, but when I've been out shooting in really damp weather, or on a windy day at the beach. I always leave any gear I had with me on the dining room table with the caps off, except the camera. I just let it sit for a few hours, then pop a lens back on it.

[Nicole]

Possibly, I was thinking though that you'd be more likely to get more dust on the lens if you left the elements exposed though and then you have to worry about cleaning that off and possibly getting it wet again. I know that the silica gel usually comes in bags but that doesn't mean that dust couldn't get out