Panasonic 14-140 ii Blowing Air Through Viewfinder

georgievv wrote:

hindesite wrote:

All my zooms breathe air through the G7 viewfinder, this is completely normal.

The air has to leave the lens somehow, and since the rear of the lens is open, the air transfers to the camera body.

It has never been a problem for me, the ultrasonic cleaning seems to work fine; maybe the air being sucked back into the lens helps clean the sensor as it goes past

Thanks for the reply. Which other zoom lenses do that on your G7?

45-150, 100-300, 100-400, 70-210, Tamron 90/2.8...

I've been using my G7 with primes, the kit lens and 9-18mm so I never noticed that. I don't think it is normal for a lens to blow the air at the back when contracting. There is a glass element at the very back of the lens - it is not open to the innards.

It is - all my zooms including the 45-150 have an element at the back, with a circular shroud that is spaced very slightly off the glass around the periphery, the air enters and leaves through there. It may be intended to make the air sweep the rear element clean.

Hold the rear of your lens close to your face, zoom and see for yourself.

The air is sucked mostly through the barrel, it should escape from there as well. It cannot be good for the camera to get blasted with so much air coming through the lens, especially outdoors with dust flying around.

I've used my G7 extensively in a maritime environment and also in desert conditions, and while the air might be a bit disconcerting, it has never been a problem.

The main control wheel of the camera was very stiff to the point of almost getting jammed. That was probably related to the dust sucking as well.

I doubt it - if you mean the mode dial, it is more likely to be heavier dirt or grit getting into the dial from the outside, might not even be in the camera.

The camera and lens looked brand new on the outside but who knows the amount of dust inside.

I have a Sony SLT-A57 with several high zoom lenses that does not blow air into my eye. Neither the lenses, nor camera are weather sealed. No dust spots anywhere for the past 6 years.

So, are you actually seeing dust spots?