Well I'm not sure how its happened but I have managed to get dust inside my Z1. I was half expecting it because I film World Rally events but the dust that's inside looks like normal household dust and not anything from outside.

I've had a estimate repair cost @ £1200/2000$ and I was told the lens if a sealed unit so they wont repair it just replace it.

Not sure what to do as I can't afford that cost at the moment.

Anyone stripped it down to remove the dust?

It seems it might be my only option now as the dust is in the centre of the screen.

These diagrams might come in handy for you. Not the Z1 but probably similar.

http://www.searspartsdirect.com/partsdirect/part-model/Sony-Parts/Camcorder-Parts/Model-HDRFX1/0996/0331400?pathTaken=&prst=0&shdMod=HDR-FX1

Thanks I've actually contacted Nico from the below link


Do not try this at home!

SONY HDR-FX1 Camcorder Service (http://www.camcorderservice.nl/sony_fx1.htm)



He said he can remove the dust!

The lens isn't really a sealed unit - it breathes in and out every time you zoom the internal elements (there's not a vacuum inside), and it's this that draws in atmospheric dust.

Generally little harm's done simply because all the dust and debris is way out of focus. The lens loses speed,and contrast (dust spoils the surface multi-coating's efficiency), so I'm surprised you're seeing it in your image 'in the centre of the screen'.

tom.

The dust has been moving around but it can be seen on the image

‪Lexus LFA - UK Exclusive [HD]‬‏ - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8z-IKZGXKN4)

1:07 and you can really notice it.

Doesn't look like dust to me David. Looks to me like you've got a filter over the front element, and maybe a wide-angle converter? Pretty sure it's flare we're seeing. Is your front element spotless? Is the filter multi-coated? I'd say never use filters with tiny Z1 chips. And I hope the vignetting is intentional.

tom.

I assure you it's a dust particle

You mean you can see it as you look down into your Z1's lens David? If you've got a movie light shine it across the front element perpendicular to the lens's axis - that should show up any internal dustiness.

So - were you using a filter or a conversion lens on those shots? You had the Z1's hood in place?

tom.

Sorry for the delay, I only just the UV filter and yeah I use the lens hood as well

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/25830232/2011-08-07%2023.13.54.jpg
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/25830232/2011-08-07%2023.14.23.jpg



http://dl.dropbox.com/u/25830232/2011-08-07%2023.13.54%20-%20edit.jpg
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/25830232/2011-08-07%2023.14.23%20-%20edit.jpg

I know its hard to see but there is a mark of dust there.

Yes, dust clinging to the inner surface of the zoom's front element. It moves around you say? I can't see any way of removing that front element for a clean so it looks to be a professional tear-down job, otherwise all your scenes will be shadowed in this way.

Yeah when I say it moves, Its been in there since December 2010 and its moved from the lower corner of the screen to the middle position that's its in now. So it's not a quick mover, no matter how much force I try.

I'm taking the camera to Amsterdam on Wednesday for a repair so I will report back.

David

I've just thought - I've had reports that in some Z1s and FX1s a tolerance buildup has allowed internal elements of that Zeiss lens to actually come in contact with one another at full wide-angle, so leaving marks in the multi-coated surfaces. But your 'moving' marks made me discount this in your case. Even so - worth reporting it to the repair technician as I'm sure he'll be familliar with it.

I've been mega busy but I'm happy to report that Nico from camcorderservice.nl (http://www.camcorderservice.nl/index.htm) has removed the dust from inside the lens and its back to full working condition.

I'll post a full report and pictures in a new thread shortly.

Nico is a camera god!

David, do you mind me asking how much that service cost? This is a subject close to my heart, as I had to live with an annoying speck of dust inside the lens of my Z1P for a few months while working in Fiji and Tonga, and then had to pay an awful lot of money to have the lens unit exchanged by Sony Service here in Bangkok.

David, do you mind me asking how much that service cost? This is a subject close to my heart, as I had to live with an annoying speck of dust inside the lens of my Z1P for a few months while working in Fiji and Tonga, and then had to pay an awful lot of money to have the lens unit exchanged by Sony Service here in Bangkok.


Sorry for the mega late reply! It was €240 to get the lens cleaned and serviced on the same day.