?water in my camera lens

[mark smyth]

There is a liquid of some sort in my camera lens. Is there oil in a lens? I dont know where it has come from. How can I get it out if it isnt supposed to be there?

The camera works perfectly until I use the zoom. The liquid blurrs the image

[David King]

Is this your new camera?  You haven't got it wet by any chance have you?  If not take it back.  It shouldn't be like that. 

[mark smyth]

Yes it's the new one. Havent let it get wet

[mark smyth]

The moisture is almost away but it's left a smudge on the front of the lens. Can it be cleaned? By me or someone else or should I buy a new one?

Thinking of how it got wet I was in an underground site on Thursday night and water was dripping off the roof

[David King]

The moisture is almost away but it's left a smudge on the front of the lens. Can it be cleaned? By me or someone else or should I buy a new one?

Thinking of how it got wet I was in an underground site on Thursday night and water was dripping off the roof

If the smudge is inside the lens I would think you would need that done by a camera repairer.  If water dripped off the roof onto the camera it sounds as though it has got inside.  I think you will find you only get sealing on more expensive cameras, particularly SLR's and even then not many are.  The Canon 7D I now use is partially sealed but even so I still make sure I keep it covered if damp is around. 

[Brenda Worsley]

My son had water in a 500mm lens. It took about a week of the lens being in a warm place e.g. sunny window / airing cupboard before it did dry out and smudges disappeared. Give it a couple more days before you panic.

[Maggi Young]

Welcome, Brenda!

I agree with Brenda - time enough to wait a bit before panic sets in - I put a compact film camera through the washing machine once and it survived...... 

[mark smyth]

Thanks Brenda and Maggi.

I contacted a camera repairer - is that a word? An estimate of £50 to clean it.

[mark smyth]

Brenda now that the smudge has dried out my lens doesnt see it anymore

[Brenda Worsley]

So pleased to hear your lens has recovered. Nice when something works.