The durability of Nikon lens

[j_w13]

<p>I accidentally left my 24mm AIS on my balcony. When I found it (approx 70 hrs later) it was soaked in rain. We had .65 inch the previous day.<br>

<img src="http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc152/asusenior/Photography/zDB1_6160.jpg" alt="" /><br>

I let the lens dry for about an hour. There was still water leaking from between the barrel ring and barrel. Luckily no rust though.<br>

I shot the same picture below with that lens on a D300. It's as if nothing happened to it.<br>

<img src="http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc152/asusenior/Photography/zDB1_6177.jpg" alt="" /></p>

[Rene11664880918]

<p>Is it a MF lens? I would think that if it was an AF with VR would be a different story.<br>

I guess some times people are just lucky. I know I was when I dropped my 17-55 from a hight of 1 to 1.5 M on concrete floor. Nothing happened. Not even a scratch. Just the rear cap was broken. then again I heard stories of people dropping the same lens inside a car on the carpeted floor and it broke.... </p>

[dave_wilson1]

<p>I don't know how many football games I shot in the rain/pouring rain with my F3 and the 100-300 Nikkor. I used to use a plastic bag sometimes, but those things really got soaked and never a groan. I would bring them home and gently go over with a small warm heater fan. I think you're good to go. Now the new stuff, no way, those af lenses are too fussy.</p>

[ShunCheung]

<p>Paul, you might have gotten lucky, but I wouldn't make the "no rust" claim, at least not yet.</p>

<p>Have you shine a flashlight through the lens elements to make sure that it is all clear? I hope there is no water mark on the elements.</p>

[Two23]

<p>I would set the lens in front of a heater duct for a couple of days and let warm dry air blow over it. That should dry out any lingering internal moisture. Fungus loves dampness.</p>

<p>Kent in SD</p>

[j_w13]

<p>Appears that all is good. I did not see any marks or anything when shining a light through it.</p>

[heimbrandt]

<p>I for one am not the least bit surprised of the ruggedness of your old AIS lens.</p>

<p>Is it not really interesting how much abuse our gear can handle? We do pamper with our equipment quite much more than necessary. We pay extra for ruggedness and tell our friends about the robustness and weather seals but how many actually dare take a photo in the rain? I got a Canon 80-200/2.8L back in the 1990s with a professional warranty/insurance on it. I actually held it for about ten seconds under a broken roof drain pipe in pouring rain. Why, well I was curious if it would give me any problems in the rain...<br>

While it is not a thing to recommend, nothing happened. I only wiped it off with my hand and let it stay outside the camera bag the rest of that afternoon. And yes, once home, always let damp gear dry thoroughly. If not, rust and/or fungus will thrive.</p>

<p>Since then I have never deliberately tested a lens against the elements, but neither have I missed a shot because I have not wanted to risk my camera in the rain or snow. Not even with the consumer grade stuff.</p>

<p>The same holds true for when you choose a camera bag. Most opt for overly padded bags that are more suited for shipping than carrying around all day. Needles to say I am an avid fan of Jim Domke's bags. Not that much padding, but still enough. And no, to date, I have not broken anything apart from a plastic hot shoe foot off an old Canon 420EZ and that was nearly 15 years ago.</p>

[andy a.]

I wouldn't leave that lens mounted on your d300 for any length of time until you know it's thoroughly dry. Perhaps try

putting it in a ziplock bag with dessicant? As others have said, it could be a while before your moisture problems crop up.

 

Fwiw I've had minor impacts on both the 17-55 and 24-70 that rendered them inoperable and required major repair. I've

also hit my 70-200 hard and it has come out fine. All solidly-built, pro glass, so I think it's pretty much luck of the draw.

[walterh]

<p>A well preserved 24mm AIS is always worth a cleaning job.<br>

These lenses are good for decades if used moderately.<br>

The sooner you get the lens serviced the better.</p>

[alan_huett]

<p>Don't waste money on dessicant - stick some white rice in your oven on a low heat for half an hour (maybe whilst you cook a nice casserole or some short ribs). This will make it nice and dry, or if you are in a cold, dry climate, just use it as it comes from the cupboard. Put it in a baggy and "immerse" your lens in the dry, cooled rice. Leave it for as long as you can spare it. The rice will soak up residual moisture quite effectively. This will even work for electronics, allegedly. Obviously the greater the volume of rice to lens, the more water it can absorb.<br>

Alternatively I have also heard that the heat from an old CRT monitor or TV is too low to hurt most components, but sufficient to dry out residual moisture. Obviously, take care not to drip water into the back of the unit.</p>

[andre_noble5]

<p>I would stick it in a small, closed room with a de-humidfier going full blast for a few days. I do not like the idea some people mention about heat. </p>

[j_w13]

<p>I think people are more concerned about maintaining the resale value of their equipment than actually using them. Therefore a lot of equipment just sit around in their cabinets with UV filters stuck on at all times.</p>