Internal Lens Fog?

[ravncat]

My trusty 20mm 2.8 Nikkor suddenly seemed very odd to me - quite low contrast, looking through the viewfinder i thought it was foggy outside. I've determined that there's fog inside of the lens, and it wasn't there a few months ago, I'm not sure exactly when it appeared as I haven't actually used it much lately.

Anyway, I guess It's got to go to the service center - anyone have any thoughts or ideas of what i should do?

[Sweetlifephoto]

That can happen when you have a sudden change in temperature between outside and inside, especially if it is humid. Generally it will clear up once the lens elements adjust to the temperature. It can sometimes take quite awhile in certain conditions, like humid beach days to clear...

[sk66]

If it hasn't cleared up on it's own, you can put it in a container with a bunch of rice in a warm spot for a while (days)....
I've put them into a warm oven (<200*) and door open with success.

I've never had to send a lens in for water inside before, but if you don't get it all out there is a potential for fungus inside the lens.

[ravncat]

Took it to nikon, they're not sure what it is - they said it is some kind of "kiri" which is like fog or mist. It doesn't seem like humidity. They may have to replace a lens element (If it is fungal) - and it may be related to the CRC bit in the lens (floating element bit)

The bill will be between 1 and 2 hundred bucks it seems - oh well... At least I am expecting it to come back more awesome than when I got it first - because that's what happened when i had to have my 35mm repaired (Damaged helicoid)

[ravncat]

Got the lens back,
functions better than new, sharper than before from what I have seen so far (in regards to the edges). Very clear. They had to replace two lens elements, it was about 200 bucks. Cheaper than replacement, and still with the used price I got it for a couple years back,

[ArmySoldier777]

Originally Posted by ravncat

Got the lens back,
functions better than new, sharper than before from what I have seen so far (in regards to the edges). Very clear. They had to replace two lens elements, it was about 200 bucks. Cheaper than replacement, and still with the used price I got it for a couple years back,

Refurbished lenses do tend to function better than brand new ones. I wish they could find a way to individually test every lens without sacrificing production speed "I add that in, because a company isn't going to sacrifice how fast they make money, for a tiny bit of boost in quality lol". Congrats on getting your lens back better than new though!

[flytyer57]

I always keep a few "silica gel" packs in with my lenses and camera to help remove moisture from my camera bag. Could help in the future.