Nikon lens service questions

[Disappointed_Horse]

I just noticed that my Nikon 50mm f/1.4 AI-S lens has, which I bought used LNIB about 10 years ago, has accumulated quite a lot of dust inside. This is a bit surprising, as I almost always have a filter and caps on the lens whenever I’m not using it, but be that as it may, I have not noticed any effect on image quality yet. I will be looking at my next set of negatives very carefully.

I have two questions:

• At what point does internal dust start to affect image quality?

• Who do you recommend to service Nikon manual focus lenses?

Thanks!

 

[splitimageview]

In my experience I've never seen a lens with enough internal dust that it affects photos. Maybe such a lens exists, I suppose it would reduce contrast, similar to what a sufficient amount of haze can do.

If I were to send off one of my SLR Nikkors, it would be to Pro Camera in Charlottesville (assuming you're in the US.)

 

[View Range]

Where do you put your caps when the lens is in use? Pockets can be quite dusty and can be a source of dust which transfers to the lens, particularly by means of the rear lens cap.

 

[Beemermark]

Never worried about dust inside a lens. Never worried about how clean the outside elements were. Did worry about over cleaning a lens and damaging the coating (not much of a problem with newer lenses but old habits die hard).


Go to the Nikon USA website and look for Nikon Authorized Repair Centers.

 

[Disappointed_Horse]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I had not thought of pocket lint/dust on the lens caps as a source of internal dust, but that makes a lot of sense. I'll be mindful of that in the future.