Canon 100-400 lens: Hello all, I have read in a couple of posts that these Canon EF 100-400mm have been referred to as "dust traps". I own two of these lenses and have not noticed a...

peteto Loc: Las Vegas

Hello all,
I have read in a couple of posts that these Canon EF 100-400mm have been referred to as "dust traps". I own two of these lenses and have not noticed a dust problem with either one of them. Can someone please elaborate as to what this means. Where does dust collect? And how do these lenses attract more dust than other lenses? Is it the push pull zoom? I keep my lenses covered or in there cases when not in use, however they do get used fairly often by my son and myself. Any insight as always would be greatly appreciated.

Pete

Lorendn Loc: Jackson, WY

I have been using this lens extensively for almost 4 years and also have had no dust problems.

peteto Loc: Las Vegas

Lorendn wrote:

I have been using this lens extensively for almost 4 years and also have had no dust problems.

Thanks, I was beginning to wonder if I was missing something or not seeing this dust.
:thumbup:

Gifted One Loc: S. E. Idaho

I have been around many Canon guys that "live" in the field and have not heard about this problem. I do not own this lens, but would love to have it. I see many on the used market at firm pricing. Dust does not seem to be an issue with any that I have knowledge about.

J. R.

TheDman Loc: USA

Had mine for 6 years now, and it's way dusty. Doesn't seem to affect image quality though, so I'm still using it.

Chris F. Loc: San Francisco

Hi Peteto, I've owned mine since November 2005. It's probably been one of the most highly used lenses I have. It's been in saltwater environments for weeks at a time shooting humpbacks in Hawaii out in the channels around Maui.

The lens has very little dust inside and has never needed to be serviced. I do take care keeping it wiped down and stored in a case when not on the camera. I even dropped it one time on concrete flooring in the case. It scared the you know what out of me, but the filter was what shattered inside the case with the lens still being fine after the clean up. Lucky for me and a lesson learned to be more careful.

I have heard there is a new version about to be released and it is not the push / pull style. I will keep using mine until it stops working, but love really have loved it.

Chris

peteto wrote:

Hello all, br I have read in a couple of posts tha... (show quote)

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

I bought 100-400 used in 09 with one shovelful of dirt in it. It now has two shovelfulls of dirt in it. Probably enough to make a small adobe house.
It in no way has ever affected the pics.
If you are in dirty environments it will get dust into it. All zooms will.
I'll probably have to clean it when I sell it as everybody wants everything pristine.
The dust can settle onto any element surface that is not bonded to another
Yes, they DO get dust in them, but don't worry about it. :lol:
SS

peteto Loc: Las Vegas

SharpShooter wrote:

I bought 100-400 used in 09 with one shovelful of ... (show quote)

I know that you are somewhat of a Guru and by no means do I mean any disrespect, but that I would have to see to believe. You are saying there's dust inside your lens? All zoom lenses get dust in them?

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

peteto wrote:

Hello all, br I have read in a couple of posts tha... (show quote)

In principle, all things being equal, push pull lenses are more prone to sucking in atmosphere when extending the lens.

In a dust prone environment it may result in more sensor dust.

Turbo Loc: Raleigh, NC

The fact that that particular lens has a "push-pull" zoom system means that air is getting in and out of the lens as you zoom.

There are seals to protect the inside of the lens but yet some dirt will find its way inside after a while.

If it gets bad enough then you have to have the lens serviced and cleaned up.

Most people will never have to do that.

peteto Loc: Las Vegas

Turbo wrote:

The fact that that particular lens has a "push-pull" zoom system means that air is getting in and out of the lens as you zoom.

There are seals to protect the inside of the lens but yet some dirt will find its way inside after a while.

If it gets bad enough then you have to have the lens serviced and cleaned up.

Most people will never have to do that.

Ok that I can understand. But to get as much dust as people are saying they get and then saying it doesn't effect image quality? That's the part I'm having trouble with. Anyway, I guess I'm lucky not to have enough dust to cause any concern and I will keep my lenses clean and covered when not in use.

RichardSM Loc: Back in Texas

peteto wrote:

Ok that I can understand. But to get as much dust as people are saying they get and then saying it doesn't effect image quality? That's the part I'm having trouble with. Anyway, I guess I'm lucky not to have enough dust to cause any concern and I will keep my lenses clean and covered when not in use.

Hello peteto

I find one sure way to see if my lenses have dust particles inside is to use a blue LED flashlight, it shows them up even some of the smallest one's you don't see with naked eye they show up as white particles.

papakatz45 Loc: South Florida-West Palm Beach

RichardSM wrote:

Hello peteto

I find one sure way to see if my lenses have dust particles inside is to use a blue LED flashlight, it shows them up even some of the smallest one's you don't see with naked eye they show up as white particles.

I have been using this lens for almost five years and have not noticed a dust issue. I use it for youth sports and wildlife. It is in the field a lot with wind and rain and I am very pleased with the results.

Turbo Loc: Raleigh, NC

peteto wrote:

Ok that I can understand. But to get as much dust as people are saying they get and then saying it doesn't effect image quality? That's the part I'm having trouble with. Anyway, I guess I'm lucky not to have enough dust to cause any concern and I will keep my lenses clean and covered when not in use.

You will not see the small dust particles because they are out of focus and very small. ( Their small size is why they slip past the seals).

Also they tend to fall off the glass elements and end up in a groove or corner somewhere inside the lens.

If the amount of "dust" becomes significant, then it might affect the photos you take.

davidrb Loc: Half way there on the 45th Parallel

peteto wrote:

Hello all, br I have read in a couple of posts tha... (show quote)

A term used to describe a lens that extends and retracts externally instead of internally. This type lens allows for dust to accumulate. Others, such as the EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS are in that same category. Some copies of these lenses "leak" in air, and consequently dust. It has been problematic for some users, not many though. GL.