Warning: IAF cover glass at DVinfo.net

Poppe Johansson · May 11th, 2007, 07:20 AM

This is a warning for those who may try to clean IAF sensor's cover "glass". I had some dirt on the glass and tried to clean it with microfiber cloth. After cleaning (quite light pressing) I found that the cover has now couple of scratches. So the cover is made of some kind of (pretty soft) plastic material. Be very gently when cleaning it.

Chris Soucy · May 11th, 2007, 02:42 PM

The IAF cover glass on my A1 was scratched straight out of the box, not badly, but enough to be noticeable. As you say, it seems to be extremely soft material, way too soft for such an important optical component. I can't prove it, but I'm sure this minor damage has contributed to my A1's rather dissapointing AF performance.

Then again, to be fair, most of my shooting is outside, at extreme zooms, in open countryside (landscapes, wildlife etc) which doesn't give much (if anything) for an AF system to work with.

I have been tempted to take to it with the old toothpaste trick, but the thought of stuffing it completely (and the corresponding monstrous bill from Canon) has slowed my hand.

Has anyone managed to polish minor scratched off their IAF cover glass? Does anyone know what it's made of?

May 11th, 2007, 07:20 AM	#1
Poppe Johansson Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Finland Posts: 77	Warning: IAF cover glass This is a warning for those who may try to clean IAF sensor's cover "glass". I had some dirt on the glass and tried to clean it with microfiber cloth. After cleaning (quite light pressing) I found that the cover has now couple of scratches. So the cover is made of some kind of (pretty soft) plastic material. Be very gently when cleaning it.

May 11th, 2007, 02:42 PM	#2
Chris Soucy Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Fairfield, Dunedin, New Zealand Posts: 3,682 Images: 18	I concur whole heartedly...... The IAF cover glass on my A1 was scratched straight out of the box, not badly, but enough to be noticeable. As you say, it seems to be extremely soft material, way too soft for such an important optical component. I can't prove it, but I'm sure this minor damage has contributed to my A1's rather dissapointing AF performance. Then again, to be fair, most of my shooting is outside, at extreme zooms, in open countryside (landscapes, wildlife etc) which doesn't give much (if anything) for an AF system to work with. I have been tempted to take to it with the old toothpaste trick, but the thought of stuffing it completely (and the corresponding monstrous bill from Canon) has slowed my hand. Has anyone managed to polish minor scratched off their IAF cover glass? Does anyone know what it's made of?