Canon zoom and manual focus rubber rings a bit "powderish" after some time?

[kiwi2]

I was just wondering if any of u experience this....

I didn't use one of my lenses for some time. When I took it out of the dry cabinet today, I was surprised to see slight "powderish" white coating on the black zoom and manual focus rings. The glass and other parts of the lens are in perfect condition.

Not sure what causes this. Is it affected by the low humidity? I set the cabinet to within 40-50% RH which is normal.

Please share. Thanks.

[Dream Merchant]

Not exclusive to Canon.

I see it happening to other brands as well.

Left-over dirt, sweat, grease and grime could be contributing factors, as most people I know do not wipe and clean the exterior of their lenses after use unless it's heavily soiled AFAIK.

[Ninja23XX]

Originally Posted by kiwi2 I was just wondering if any of u experience this.... I didn't use one of my lenses for some time. When I took it out of the dry cabinet today, I was surprised to see slight "powderish" white coating on the black zoom and manual focus rings. The glass and other parts of the lens are in perfect condition. Not sure what causes this. Is it affected by the low humidity? I set the cabinet to within 40-50% RH which is normal. Please share. Thanks.

Dried up moisture/sweat.


GMAN

[kiwi2]

Hmm. maybe. The rubber looked normal before I kept the lens in the dry cabinet.

I suppose since the humidity is low, and after the moisture/sweat has dried up, it left the whitish marks?

[Ninja23XX]

Originally Posted by kiwi2 Hmm. maybe. The rubber looked normal before I kept the lens in the dry cabinet. I suppose since the humidity is low, and after the moisture/sweat has dried up, it left the whitish marks?

Yupp, most likely...



GMAN

[Dream Merchant]

You could try 'restoring'; the finish.

I have before, using liquid shoe wax. It takes at least a week before the 'stickiness' wears off, but after that, the rubber looks like those tyres that have been kiwied. Deep black and glossy! Try at your own risk.

[CS TAN]

"Meguiars Quick Interior Detailer"

I use the car interior detailer to maintain my camera gears. You can get them from most of the car accessories shops. The interior detailer can be use on interior plastics, vinyl, leather, rubber, and metal. It is perfect for your camera (except the LCD screen,viewfinder and your lenses' optics).

[Ninja23XX]

Go find this. Lemon Pledge. I use it all the time to remove sweat and keep my gears smelling nice.

Alternatively you can try car products as well.


GMAN

[maswu]

Originally Posted by kiwi2 I was just wondering if any of u experience this.... I didn't use one of my lenses for some time. When I took it out of the dry cabinet today, I was surprised to see slight "powderish" white coating on the black zoom and manual focus rings. The glass and other parts of the lens are in perfect condition. Not sure what causes this. Is it affected by the low humidity? I set the cabinet to within 40-50% RH which is normal. Please share. Thanks.

it may also be the start of fungus growth on the exterior of the lens...

[Snoweagle]

Dream Merchant's right, all my lenses have this white coating on the zoom/focusing rings after some time due to factors as stated by him which is normal.

[lightning]

Woo...if you looked closely, they are fungus. Result of poorly maintianed lens.

[fatigue]

Remove the rubber, wash with soap and water, let it dry then fit it back.

Don't apply any solution which may become "food" for fungus

Unlike optics, rubber needs a little bit of humidity.
If only the lens does not contain grease and rubber, we can set the dry cab humidity at a very low setting.

[Snoweagle]

Originally Posted by fatigue Remove the rubber, wash with soap and water, let it dry then fit it back. Don't apply any solution which may become "food" for fungus Unlike optics, rubber needs a little bit of humidity. If only the lens does not contain grease and rubber, we can set the dry cab humidity at a very low setting.

Ermm..not everyone knows how to properly remove it.

[fatigue]

Most of the time the rubber can be removed easily. It's just wrapped around the zoom barrel.
No need to remove any screws

[Snoweagle]

Originally Posted by fatigue Most of the time the rubber can be removed easily. It's just wrapped around the zoom barrel. No need to remove any screws

Still i dunno how to do it. I just wipe directly.

[Russ]

Pretty normal, somehow it seems to affect my L's more than the non-L's.... strange.

[fatigue]

Originally Posted by Snoweagle Still i dunno how to do it. I just wipe directly.

How to remove? It's like removing a wrist band from your arm but dont stretch too much
How to clean? Use a soft toothbrush, just follow the grooves
What solution to use? Soap and water
What brand? Use those "kill germs" soap or hand wash

Remember to rinse well and dry before putting it back

[Snoweagle]

Originally Posted by fatigue How to remove? It's like removing a wrist band from your arm but dont stretch too much How to clean? Use a soft toothbrush, just follow the grooves What solution to use? Soap and water What brand? Use those "kill germs" soap or hand wash Remember to rinse well and dry before putting it back

Nah, when it comes to lenses. I better not 'kay kiang', unless i really know how to do it.

[mlcy85]

i actually tot brand new lenses are powdery, like extra smooth surfaces. but after using longer then it becomes normal...

[Snoweagle]

Originally Posted by mlcy85 i actually tot brand new lenses are powdery, like extra smooth surfaces. but after using longer then it becomes normal...

It's not the texture we're referring to, but after some time of usage there are white residues on them, formed by dried perspiration which might be salt crystals.