Focus Ring Sticks

[TinglyCourier]

I have a Pentax istDL digital SLR camera with a 18-55mm lens and a 50-200mm lens, that my wife and I got for a wedding present last year. We both love the camera and use it quite frequently. Unfortunately we broke a couple ot the cardinal rules of photography, the first being that neither of the lenses have skylight filters to protect the lens surfaces yet, so both need a cleaning as soon as possable. the other being that we had the camera bag open in the front of our vehicle while drinking juice in the car. Which brings me to my REAL problem, I (my wife says it was me anyway) splashed juice over the camera and 18-55mm lens. The camera got away unschathed, just some surface cleaning was required, but the lens was not so fortunate. Some of the juice must have seeped into the inner workings of the lens body near the focus ring, because now it jams when trying to focus. Using autofocus with this lens is out of the question and when I try manual focus, sometimes it is stuck pretty good, after a bit of working it frees and works pretty good till the next time I need it. Any ideas on what I can use to clean inside there/ I've thought about rubbing alcohol, methyl hydrate or isopropyl alcohol but am afraid to damage it further. There are no reputable camera shops in the area or I would have considered that.

[another view]

Unfortunately we broke a couple ot the cardinal rules of photography, the first being that neither of the lenses have skylight filters to protect the lens surfaces yet, so both need a cleaning as soon as possable.

Some people use Skylight (which has a pinkish tint) or UV (clear) filters in front of their lenses at all times as protection for the lens, but it's not a cardinal rule. I rarely use them, only when there's a good chance the lens will get water spots or dirt on it. I rarely don't use a lens hood which not only provides protection but will reduce the chance of lens flare - filters can increase that chance.

As far as the repair goes, contact Pentax directly. I wouldn't try to do it myself.

[freygr]

Some people use Skylight (which has a pinkish tint) or UV (clear) filters in front of their lenses at all times as protection for the lens, but it's not a cardinal rule. I rarely use them, only when there's a good chance the lens will get water spots or dirt on it. I rarely don't use a lens hood which not only provides protection but will reduce the chance of lens flare - filters can increase that chance.

As far as the repair goes, contact Pentax directly. I wouldn't try to do it myself.

I have a lens that I use all the time but it is very susceptible to flare, as on a general rule for taking snap shoots a UV(clear) filter and hood lives on that lense, but all my lenses have the UV(clear) filters on them. I've had critters type to eat the lens, and if I damage the filter cleaning, it's not a costly thing.

But the problem is the juice it contains acid. The acid will damage the lens if not cleaned ASAP. Check your phone book for camera repair, but you could already have to just purchase a new lens