Is my Inon Macrol Lens busted (UCL 165)?

[erik.p]

Hi,

Got myself a new fancy Inon macro lens, the UCL 165, and mounted it on my oly housing.

Went to Zanzibar, Tanzania to try it out.

After the first dive I noticed that water was caught between the two lenses.
This led to some rather strange pics.

After having stared a bit at the lens I noticed that the two slits on the outer and inner ring aren't aligned. Should they be? Is that was is causing water to leak in?
Can I tighten the inner ring myself?

Do you have they same lens as I, and how are your slits aligned?

The dive I did was to 17 meters (less than 60 feet), so that shouldn't be the problem.

I'm going to the Philippines in June, so I'd like to solve this fast, without having to send it back to the seller or Inon.

Pics here (er, or check my profile if the link doesn't work);
http://www.scubaboard.com/gallery/showgallery.php/cat/996

Thanks in advance,

Erik

 

[BrantD]

If I am understanding you correctly, you are getting water between the port and the back side of the lens, this IS supposed to happen. The slits in the ring are there to allow water to enter and escape. Do make sure there are no bubbles on either of these surfaces. Shaking the camera or removing the lens and shaking it will usually remove these bubbles.
With your lens being new, you may have grease still on the lens from where it was manufactured, not uncommon. The grease will make for some wild pics. Use a mild soap diluted with water to clean the lens, or 4 parts water to 1 part white vinegar will work well also.

 

[erik.p]

If I am understanding you correctly, you are getting water between the port and the back side of the lens, this IS supposed to happen. The slits in the ring are there to allow water to enter and escape. Do make sure there are no bubbles on either of these surfaces. Shaking the camera or removing the lens and shaking it will usually remove these bubbles.
With your lens being new, you may have grease still on the lens from where it was manufactured, not uncommon. The grease will make for some wild pics. Use a mild soap diluted with water to clean the lens, or 4 parts water to 1 part white vinegar will work well also.

errr...the water is caught inside the actual lens, not between the housing and the lens. No grease visable on the lens either. Check out my gallery for pics, which shows the problem far more accuratly than what I have written.

 

[bpzdiver]

errr...the water is caught inside the actual lens, not between the housing and the lens. No grease visable on the lens either. Check out my gallery for pics, which shows the problem far more accuratly than what I have written.

Erik:

I checked your pictures and looked at my 165. The two slits are not aligned on mine, but it does appear yours are in a different place than mine. If you put the Outside ring slit at 12 o'clock, the inner ring slit on mine is at about 10:30. Yours looks to be at about 12:30, so I think your outer ring has been turned and is letting water inside. I don't know if your seller will replace it or if you have to send it to Inon for mainenance, but it shouldn't be too much trouble to have cleaned and resealed.

 

[erik.p]

Erik:

I checked your pictures and looked at my 165. The two slits are not aligned on mine, but it does appear yours are in a different place than mine. If you put the Outside ring slit at 12 o'clock, the inner ring slit on mine is at about 10:30. Yours looks to be at about 12:30, so I think your outer ring has been turned and is letting water inside. I don't know if your seller will replace it or if you have to send it to Inon for mainenance, but it shouldn't be too much trouble to have cleaned and resealed.

True, if I set the outer ring to 12/6 o'clock the inner ring will be at ~ roughly ~ 12:30 / 6:30. As your syaing, it shouldn't be a problem getting it fixed, it's just I want it fixed before the end of May, so I was thinking of tightening the inner lens myself. Just curious if it can be easily done or if some kind of special tool is required (that a dive shop or camera shop might have)?

 

[jlyle]

Return the lens to Inon! I had condensation problems between the lenses in my 165 adapater. I sent it back to Inon and they fixed it under warranty. It's not supposed to leak!

 

[BrantD]

errr...the water is caught inside the actual lens, not between the housing and the lens. No grease visable on the lens either. Check out my gallery for pics, which shows the problem far more accuratly than what I have written.

Sorry for my misunderstanding the problem, I would send it back to INon also.

 

[gert7to3]

Those slits you're referring to are contact points on the lens retaining rings. This is where a spanner wrench is applied to tighten down retaining rings against discreet lens elements. Camera stores, camera repair stores or a photo savy LDS would most likely have such a spanner.

It appears that your lens has a manufacturing defect and should be sent for repair. There are probably "O" rings separating and sealing the lens elements. I can't imagine the lens being designed to let water into a closed space which is impossible to clean.

Lens spanner wrenches are available at

www.edmondoptics.com

 

[erik.p]

Those slits you're referring to are contact points on the lens retaining rings. This is where a spanner wrench is applied to tighten down retaining rings against discreet lens elements. Camera stores, camera repair stores or a photo savy LDS would most likely have such a spanner.

It appears that your lens has a manufacturing defect and should be sent for repair. There are probably "O" rings separating and sealing the lens elements. I can't imagine the lens being designed to let water into a closed space which is impossible to clean.

Lens spanner wrenches are available at

www.edmondoptics.com

Thanks for all the input.

I have indeed sent it back to the retailer, we'll see what happens next.