Not dust/water resistant? Why didn't Canon seal the frontal element like my 70-200 f/4 L?
2021741
I think the lack of full sealing in the front on this model has to do with the fact that the front element moves a bit when you zoom. If you get a good-quality multi-coated clear or UV filter (I use B+W MRC UV filters -- not cheap, but very good) you shouldn't have any IQ problems.
2225824
I checked this problem out prior to purchasing this camera. Found this YouTube video on cleaning the dust off the sensor.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_sP4yLf6lAPretty common problem, easy solution.
1727073
You just have to avoid exposing the front of the lens to rain etc..just ordinary care quite simply. Its a wonderful lens anyhow and I use it very often as my only lens together with 20/1.7 when traveling
75079
I used the hood to protect the front element as I didn't like running a UV filter. You can find the hood on eBay (not Sony brand) for less than 150. They even have rangefinder leica style hoods
260552
Sean is wrong about the protective front element. Canon determined that it was extremely rare that the protective front element in the version I ever was damaged in 20 years of having this lens on the market, so they removed it from this version 2 to bring the weight down to 8 pounds. There is no filter thread on the front so you have to always use the lens hood to protect the glass.
1504924
It is dust. I have had two cameras do this... same model. If you carry the camera in your pocket dust eventually gets inside. If it is under warranty send it back. Otjerwise buy a new camera. Not a Canon.
1727078
You just have to avoid exposing the front of the lens to rain etc..just ordinary care quite simply. It´s a wonderful lens anyhow and I use it very often as my only lens together with 20/1.7 when traveling
2085334
Sorry, I returned these without installing because of sloppy sealing around the lens.
260098
I've owned this camera for two years. Did not buy a case for it, as I couldn't find one that fit the size of the camera & extra battery. The dust problem has steadily increased within the barrel of the lens behind the first lens. I've noticed that the barrel seems to attract dust which surprised me; but there could be a friction attraction thing going on as the barrel lengthens and retracts, dust likes to stick to it. After two years, there is now a noticeable build-up that is creating light problems I used to be able to ignore. Will have to probably send it in to be cleaned.
592881
It's my favorite camera ever, and I also own a DSLR. That said, I discovered a small piece of dust or debris on the sensor through a photo of the sky shot at f/16, focused at infinity. Otherwise I wouldn't have discovered the dust. I sent the camera back to Ricoh repair services for warranty service about a month ago, and it's in transit back to me now. This is not a common occurrence, and I was told by a Ricoh product specialist that the dust most likely entered the camera during the manufacturing process. A clean room where the cameras are assembled probably became temporarily contaminated.
2277247
No problem with rubber seal. I live in a very windy and sandy place and every couple months I have to take it apart to clean behind outside lens. I once broke the belt clip getting out of the car and the service getting it replaced was something out of the 70's. Very friendly fast and free. I would buy another one any time.
1987248
I can't help you with this. my camera has always been & will be used only under dry conditions. Nothing in the Specs says that this model is waterproof. dust sealing against its sensor might be an official feature that is YET to be tested. you might want a leather half case to give it more grip. Presumingly, it is not sealed against waterfalls. Good luck
1107031
I've had no problem keeping the lens clean with a standard lens brush/cleaner. as for ruggedness...well this is my second WG-2. the first one leaked as soon as I entered the water on St John USVI leaving me without a camera for the whole trip! so I strongly recommend testing your camera in the water BEFORE you take it on that long snorkeling trip...
1271727
If you are getting dust in that short of time frame, you are probably not changing your lenses carefully enough. Always keep the body lens side down, turn off the camera and then change lenses. I've got over 50k shutter releases on my D700 and have only had to clean the sensor once. In the mean time get a blower (Giotto's) and use that to blow the dust from the mirror chamber.
1727076
The front element of this lens is so big and curving a filter and holder would have had to be huge so I can see the point of not having screw-on filter capability. Personally, I never use filters as I feel they get in the way of achieving maximum image sharpness as it's just more glass and surfaces to get dirty or reflect off angle glare or reflections. As others have pointed, most filter effects you can achieve with Photoshop. For protection, the slip on lens cap has been just fine for me, just came back from Yosemite, no problems. As others said, the cut-out sunshade hood works to protect the lens as well. I don't worry about damaging the front element and the super-wide angle view is worth the risk. The front element of this lens is so big and curving a filter and holder would have had to be huge so I can see the point of not having screw-on filter capability. Personally, I never use filters as I feel they get in the way of achieving maximum image sharpness as it's just more glass and surfaces to get dirty or reflect off angle glare or reflections. As others have pointed, most filter effects you can achieve with Photoshop. For protection, the slip on lens cap has been just fine for me, just came back from Yosemite, no problems. As others said, the cut-out sunshade hood works to protect... » Read More The front element of this lens is so big and curving a filter and holder would have had to be huge so I can see the point of not having screw-on filter capability. Personally, I never use filters as I feel they get in the way of achieving maximum image sharpness as it's just more glass and surfaces to get dirty or reflect off angle glare or reflections. As others have pointed, most filter effects you can achieve with Photoshop. For protection, the slip on lens cap has been just fine for me, just came back from Yosemite, no problems. As others said, the cut-out sunshade hood works to protect the lens as well. I don't worry about damaging the front element and the super-wide angle view is worth the risk. « Show Less
2163457
yes i can help you. RETURN IT! this is NOT a Canon product. anything that says it is "FOR" Canon, is NOT a canon product. I am an engineer. I followed the directions and tried to make it work. I ended up losing the sun shield and damaging a filter, and can no longer return it. I then bought the products made and sold BY Canon, and they fit and perform perfectly. I wrote a horrible review on this product as being false advertising in hopes of saving others from the same mistake i made. If you can, return it and buy only Canon products for your Canon cameras. You will never regret it. I wish you the best. yes i can help you. RETURN IT! this is NOT a Canon product. anything that says it is "FOR" Canon, is NOT a canon product. I am an engineer. I followed the directions and tried to make it work. I ended up losing the sun shield and damaging a filter, and can no longer return it. I then bought the products made and sold BY Canon, and they fit and perform perfectly. I wrote a horrible review on this product as being false advertising in hopes of saving others from the same mistake i made. If you can, return it and buy only Canon products for your Canon cameras. You will never regret... » Read More yes i can help you. RETURN IT! this is NOT a Canon product. anything that says it is "FOR" Canon, is NOT a canon product. I am an engineer. I followed the directions and tried to make it work. I ended up losing the sun shield and damaging a filter, and can no longer return it. I then bought the products made and sold BY Canon, and they fit and perform perfectly. I wrote a horrible review on this product as being false advertising in hopes of saving others from the same mistake i made. If you can, return it and buy only Canon products for your Canon cameras. You will never regret it. I wish you the best. « Show Less
501172
It is not the lens covers rattling, it is the optical element unit inside, could be because of the image stabilization mechanism as Vincent stated, but whatever the part is, I find it impossible to believe that this the way a major manufacturer like Canon designed it. Probably the latch designed to hold it when powered off is broken and not grabbing it. That said I don