FighterControl

Hi All

I have the ubiquitous Canon EF 100-400 Mk1. I was at Waddo yesterday and got caught in a biblical rain & hailstorm. Normally I wave a water cover for the lens but it had dropped out of my camera bag. Found it on the floor when I got home! As soon as the temperature dropped, my lens misted up. It has left water marks on the inside of the glass. Historically there were a couple of dust spots in there too.

I went onto Canon's service website and they no longer support the Mk1. Does anyone recommend a cleaning/servicing service?

I don't want to buy a new Mk2 lens as I eventually want to go mirrorless which will be expensive! I want to keep my old kit running for another year or so.

Tim

Some while ago i used this company to sensor clean my Canon 70D and service a Tamron 150-600 G1. They where in Vauxhall London, I had need to be in London, they did the sensor clean while i waited. I collected the lens a week later using it as an excuse to have a day at Heathrow. Good service and would certainly recommend them.
https://www.fixationuk.com/

Hello Tim

Not knowing where you live, there is or was a place that I used a few years ago on the edge of Colchester that gave a good service for cleaning and repairing Canon equipment.

Steve

steve kingdon wrote: ↑

Thu Feb 27, 2025 9:34 pm

Hello Tim

Not knowing where you live, there is or was a place that I used a few years ago on the edge of Colchester that gave a good service for cleaning and repairing Canon equipment.

Steve

That was Colchester Camera Centre on the Severalls Business Park , they were excellent but unfortunately they closed down around 2020 or 2021. Living close to colchester I used them a lot and have struggled to find another good company.
I had a 100-400 mk.1 until a month ago and struggled to find anyone to do work on it but a friend uses Fixation and says they are very good but he has the Mk.2 (which Ihave also just purchased) so I don't know if they will work on a mark 1. If they do then apparently they are good to deeal with.
Andy

ACS (Advanced Camera Services) in Watton Norfolk. Would tie in with a trip to Lakenheath.

Thanks for the feedback guys. Ironically I used to work round the corner from the Colchester place and was quite annoyed when they closed. I had a look at the Fixation website and they no longer support the Mk1. The may have been able to clean it but if they needed to change a seal or something they would no be able to. I will give the place in Watton a look as its not too far away.

Tim, Id try some test shots - light does not usually focus on the glass - you might be quite surprised that you wont see any degradation in the quality of your photos

If not already suggested, I would speak to your nearest branch of WEX.

Regards
John