Sand in my equipment

[Tsleel2811]

Hello everybody. Alittle bit about my equipment and my problem. I have a 60d, a 70-200L ii, 24-70L ii. I took them atv riding in the desert and I noticed now that there is sand in my equipment (not that I'm surprised. Ok maybe alittle being that Canon claims the L lenses are weather proof). I know sand to be a lens killer but my question is this. I purchased all the equipment I have more than a year ago so its out of warranty. I already tried sending out to a 3rd party cleaner but they wanted 800 dollars to repair it (that's a new camera body for me). Would Canon be able to repair it for cheaper? Or am I royally screwed and need to pay 800 dollars? Thank in advance

[Waddizzle]

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@Tsleel2811 wrote:
Hello everybody. Alittle bit about my equipment and my problem. I have a 60d, a 70-200L ii, 24-70L ii. I took them atv riding in the desert and I noticed now that there is sand in my equipment (not that I'm surprised. Ok maybe alittle being that Canon claims the L lenses are weather proof). I know sand to be a lens killer but my question is this. I purchased all the equipment I have more than a year ago so its out of warranty. I already tried sending out to a 3rd party cleaner but they wanted 800 dollars to repair it (that's a new camera body for me). Would Canon be able to repair it for cheaper? Or am I royally screwed and need to pay 800 dollars? Thank in advance

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I would let Canon clean it, not a third party.  I suggest you spend the money, and chalk up the cost to experience.

Canon gear is not weather proof.  Some items are “resistant against dust and moisture”, but nothing is weather proof.  

How did you get your gear dirty?  I store my lenses and camera bodies in ziplock bags.  I have learned hazards of changing lenses in the field, which is one of the best ways to get dirt and dust inside of your gear.  

Now, I carry two bodies, so that I do not have to switch lenses in the field.  When I know I will be in a “dirty” environment, then I only used sealed zoom lenses that have both internal focusing and zooming,  Or, I will carry a prime, which almost always have internal focusing.

[ebiggs1]

" Ok maybe alittle being that Canon claims the L lenses are weather proof)."

They don't claim "weather proof" they say weather resistant.  Big difference.  However, some "L" lenses are not even weather resistant at all.

They need to go to Canon service for a C&C.  Even if it is $800 bucks that's cheaper than replacing them.  Don't be surprised if Canon is even higher as they do a much more through and better job than any off brand shop.

This is what cameras/lenses are for.  Use'em and do maintenance just like any other tool you would use.  Don't you do that  for your ATV's?  You can always tell the photographers from the 'wanna be's' by how they use their gear.

[Tsleel2811]

You just made me seem like an amateur. Gotta step up my game and not complain (rhymes mother****) lol

[Tsleel2811]

I got them dirty by just being in that environment. Nothing special. I am to blame though because I swapped lenses in the dust so I can't really complain. I'm just trying to save some money is all. Being that I don't have a huge budget. Thank yoh

[AviRock]

The same happend with me is there any selutions?

[AviRock]

Is it a good idea to self clean it? Or risky?

[AviRock]

There are sprays but none of them work. It happens to me at the beach so not as bad. If ok imigt self clean

[ebiggs1]

"Is it a good idea to self clean it?"

No it is not especially from people that have to ask that question!

[John_SD]

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@Tsleel2811 wrote:
I have a 60d, a 70-200L ii, 24-70L ii. I took them atv riding in the desert and I noticed now that there is sand in my equipment... 

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I'm in SoCal and shoot in the desert often -- usually the Anza-Borrego, the Mojave National Preserve, or out at Joshua Tree. I have never messed up a lens or gotten sand on a sensor, though I am on foot and not on an ATV.

You didn't provide enough info in your posts for anyone to offer specific advice, so I'll just offer some general guidelines for desert shooting. Keep your lenses in zip lock baggies, even if you carry a bag or backpack. Don't sit in the sand to change a lens, if you can avoid it. Sit on a large boulder, a log, or something that gives you some distance from the sand, if possible, but be careful. Don't change a lens while the the desert winds are blowing (easier said than done, I know). Keep some sort of protective filter on your lenses if out in the desert. And the best piece of advice is not to change your lenses at all in the desert. This requires thought and preplanning about what you want to shoot. Or you can just ride around on an ATV with various lenses and swap them in and out, shooting this, that and the other. An expensive lesson learned, I'd say, though it was entirely avoidable.