• Members 3 posts
    Aug. 9, 2023, 3:50 a.m.

    I have a Laowa 100m 2x Ultra Macro zoom lens. It came with a UV filter on the end. The camera slipped and the filter glass smashed in. I cleaned it out the best I could, but when I move the zoom I can hear the grinding noise of sand-like glass wedged in between. The lens itself seems to be functioning as normal. I am just concerned about that sand making its way into the deeper and more essential part of the lens. Should I be worried? Is there any way that I can get that glass "sand" out from between the zoom barrels? Is there any way to separate the two without disassembling the lens? There is a chance someone might be able to take it apart to clean it but he wants $200, and I am not sure it is worth it - as long as there is no way the glass grit can migrate further into the lens, that is.

  • Members 196 posts
    Aug. 9, 2023, 10:46 p.m.

    Do you mean the focus ring is gritty when you turn it as I don't believe that Laowa has a zoom macro either way I am sorry to hear about your accident. I have heard of some people using those small keyboard vacuum cleaners on the focus ring to try and remove the grit, I have never tried it and not sure it would work. Have you checked with your local Laowa dealer to see what they say

    www.venuslens.net/dealer-2/

  • Members 3 posts
    Aug. 10, 2023, 10 a.m.

    Thanks for replying, Jim. This is the lens:
    www.venuslens.net/product/laowa-100mm-f-2-8-2x-macro-apo/

    I am in Canada and there is no dealer in my city. I did look into that. I'd have to ship it halfway across the country at my own expense, just to have it looked at, unfortunately. The fine glass is wedged right inbetween the extending/retracting barrels, which slide as you twist, but they are tightly against each other, so I doubt I could slip anything inbetween them that is thicker than a piece of paper. Hmmm... I wonder if the sticky part of a Post-it note would catch some of it, while not being sticky enough to leave residue? I am just concerned that sticking anything inbetween might actually push it further into the lens; I don't know the inner design of a camera lens enough to know if it's enclosed on the end near the camera body, or if there are any openings which lead to the actual glass lens (through which the glass grit could migrate).

  • Members 510 posts
    Aug. 10, 2023, 11:11 a.m.

    Try mailing Venus. I have the corresponding lens for MFT, 50mm 2x Macro. I bought it used in as new condition from MPB. When I was changing lenses a tiny screw fell on my desk. I was lucky it stayed there and that I saw it fall. I wasn't sure where it come from though, could have been from either lens of from the camera. At last I found hole lacking a head in the Loawa. But I was uncertain, especially since I couldn't drive the screw all the way in and when asking at DPR other's lenses weren't exactly the same.

    I didn't want to go through the bother with international shipping to MPB and maybe a long wait, so I took a chance and hoped Venus would support even a second hand lens. They did. I got a fast answer and we exchanged several emails and the guy walked me through the "repair".

    It should be said that I've read that others have had a less satisfying result from contacting their support. Maybe I was just lucky and got hold of the right guy, but it's well worth a try.

  • Members 162 posts
    Aug. 11, 2023, 4:21 a.m.

    If you can hear a "grinding noise" when focusing, the lens is NOT functioning normally! I think it's highly unlikely that the filter glass would be so extremely finely pulverized as to get inside the lens. Sounds like the blow the lens sustained caused internal damage. If it were mine, I would have a professional technician look at it.

  • Members 3 posts
    Aug. 14, 2023, 6:45 a.m.

    I was surprised it could be that fine too.

    I really doubt the glass "sand" could get behind the actual glass optical though (which is shaped like a dome). The grit is only in the focusing barrel, which is all in front of the glass lens. Without the clear filter, the inside of the focusing barrel is open to the air and the glass optical lens is exposed at the base. However, it (at least appears as if) that domed glass is airtight to the rest of the lens. To put it a very silly way, if I laid my camera on its back with the lens attached and pointing skward, if someone poured a cup of water into the lens I fully expect it would just fill up like a cup and stay full, even while seeping a little inbetween the focusing barrels through the 4 small "holes" on the inner barrel.

    Also, it would cost me a minimum of $60 just to have it examined, plus likely several hundred more to have them disassemble/try to "fix" it, whatever that entails. The lens itself is only worth $700, so it might not be worth sending it away.