Lens problems!

[Tintype_18]

Last Saturday, I took several photos of two grandkids at their riding lessons. When I got home, I started to wipe the lens, 18-55mm Macro. I thought the lens had crud on it but it looks like bubbles that you get when clear tape isn't applied smoothly. How did this happen? Had the lens for about three years and it didn't show up. Photos don't show any "hiccups" on viewing them on my laptop. Thinking about contacting Canon for service.Thanks for your time and advice.

[Tronhard]

To follow up on your answer to Ernie's very valid question...  the 18-55 is a cheap kit lens, and there are lots of them out there.  It hardly worth sending for repair: it will be much cheaper and effective to get a replacement 18-55 IS STM model which is virtually silent, faster focusing and can be focused manually without switching off the AF button. 

Far better still, get the EF-S 18-135 IS STM or USM models - they offer a much greater range - and are thus much more versatile, and are great lenses.  These are also kit lenses and you should be able to pick up either one of these refurbished or like new second-hand, as they come with lots of DSLRs and many people dispose of them barely or unused as they have other lenses that do the job - I ended up with three of them!

Some photos taken with the EF-S 18-135 lenses, hand-held in available light.
Canon EOS 80D, EF-S 18-135 IS USM @ 135mm f/8, 1/2000sec, ISO-200Canon 80D, EF-S 18-135@135mm USM, f/8, 1/2000sec, ISO-200

Canon EOS 60D EF-S 18-135 IS STM @ 50mm f/14, 1/800sec, ISO-3200

Canon EOS 60D, EF-S 18-135 IS STM @ 100mm, f/8, 1/800sec, ISO-320

Canon EOS 80D, EF-S 18-135 IS STM @ 72mm, f/8, 1/100sec, ISO-200

I hope this range covers the kinds of images you want to take.

[Tintype_18]

Trevor, many thanks for your reply but the budget doesn't allow for additional purchases at this time. I'll be sending queries to several publications so that income might allow the purchase of the EF-S 18-135 IS STM. Only thing is waiting to get paid which can be weeks away for publication and payment.

[ebiggs1]

John said,

"My recommendation is don’t send it away until you can sit with someone knowledgeable in person for a diagnosis."

You must do this first. If you destroyed or damaged the coating on the front element it can not be repaired or fixed.

Trevor said,

"It hardly worth sending for repair: it will be much cheaper and effective to get a replacement 18-55 IS STM..."

You said,

"... the budget doesn't allow for additional purchases at this time."

I am saying,

That is why you need to do your research before you consider a repair or course of action. The bottom line is a working used undamaged kit lens may be, probably is, cheaper than repairing yours. The other bottom line is, what you are seeing may have none, to very little if any, effect on your photos. Things on the front element are generally OOF and don't necessarily have an impact on the pictures.

If you do see some small or any small aberration and you are shooting Raw like I have suggested many times and you have PSE, you may be able to correct that flaw in post. That doesn't cost anything!

[Tintype_18]

Here is a poor photo of the spots on the lens.  Not sure where the other spots are from. Shot with a cheap Nikon P&S. The photo club president has passed this along to a pro photographer.Spots at 2 a nd 11 o'clock

[ebiggs1]

I can't tell from that shot what those spots might be. However you have a lens that doesn't leave much room for repair moneywise. Even a C&C is probably out of the question moneywise. And like I have already explained if it is the lens coating that got damaged it is not repairable at all.

The latest most up-to-date kit lens the Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II Lens is around $200 bucks. If you have to ship it and insure it both ways plus the cost of any possible repair you might quickly add up to the replacement price. And you will still have an older used lens! I have seen good used working kit lenses sell for less that $100, too. You just don't have much working room there, my friend.

If I were you and the spots didn't affect my photos I would use it as is and forget about it.

[Tronhard]

Agree very much with what Ernie is saying.  He is wise. It might help our trouble-shooting to know a few more things:
1. Did the spots appear when you first got the lens out to use? 
2. If so, how long was it since the lens was last used?  
3. Has the lens ever been subjected to wetness or dampness?
4. Under what conditions is the lens stored?

[Tintype_18]

EB, the $200 is more in line. The 18-55mm might be a good substitute.

In pondering the idea of a pro, my wife had one who did school photos a while back; local guy. I'm taking it to the April club meeting on the 21st. Will go from there. Thanks to all for your replies and advice. Will keep you informed as to what transpires. BTW, photos don't show anything so I'm OK there. Just wanting to see what happened to the lens.

[Tintype_18]

1. Did the spots appear when you first got the lens out to use? Just now appeared. Never saw them before.
2. If so, how long was it since the lens was last used? It gets used about once a week.
3. Has the lens ever been subjected to wetness or dampness?No.
4. Under what conditions is the lens stored? Office or room with central heat & air

[Tronhard]

Hmmm.  I was thinking of a fungus but your answers would suggest otherwise.  Perhaps the coating has, for some reason, started to peel..?  Definitely a good idea to talk to a knowledgeable person directly.
It's a pity you live in the US.  In NZ one can pick up a mint, used 18-135 IS STM for about $210 US.  Sadly, and rather annoyingly, Canon Oceania doesn't have a refurb programme.

[Tintype_18]

The wife said the photographer she used for school photos is OOB. The club meeting is next Thursday. I'll take the lens and let the folks there look at it. We are fortunate to have some outstanding/expert photographers in the club. I would like to know just what they have forgotten over the years. My thanks to all. Will let you know what I find.