Cat peed on my lens...HELP!

madgardener · Jan 28, 2013

Woke up yesterday to a strange sound and found out that my cat had peed on my 400mm lens. What are my options for repair/cleaning? Fortunately (for both me and my cat) it's a non electronic lens.

Ed Bray · Jan 28, 2013

Good job it wasn't my lens or I would be working out what to do to the cat.

madgardener · Jan 28, 2013

Ed Bray said:
Good job it wasn't my lens or I would be working out what to do to the cat.

She's 17 and has a UTI. It's partly my fault for not putting the lens away, she didn't know what she was doing.
I just need to know what to do with my lens now.

benjiboy · Jan 28, 2013

Ed Bray said:
Good job it wasn't my lens or I would be working out what to do to the cat.

love it, very funny.

BrianShaw · Jan 28, 2013

I would take it to the local camera repair shop, right away, and have the lens overhauled. Make sure they know it has been wet. I'm sure they can dry out any residual moisture and do the proper lubrication to avoid future problems.

paul_c5x4 · Jan 28, 2013

First, pop it in a sealed container along with some uncooked rice - This will help to draw out the moisture.
Second step, send it out for a real good CLA - Whilst the glass may remain unaffected, it could damge any coatings and will certainly corode the shutter internals if left for any length of time.

Mustafa Umut Sarac · Jan 28, 2013

oh , 400mm lens , very expensive , good luck. I love cats , one cat climbs my 5 story building everynight , she calls me from the door and I love her and go outside together.

Worker 11811 · Jan 28, 2013

You need to consider whether the lens was soaked enough for cat piss to get inside.
If not, any disinfecting household cleaner should do the job for the exterior parts. (Formula 409, etc.) Be careful and keep away from the glass and critical parts. Use lens cleaner on those areas just like you normally would.
If it has been soaked through, it's going to need to be taken apart to be cleaned. In that case, you need to decide whether the cost of having it cleaned is worth it. You might just be able to get a new lens from Ebay, etc., for cheaper than it costs to clean.

You could try to clean it yourself, provided you remember the old saying:

There are two kinds of people who would disassemble an antique pocket watch; watchmakers and fools.

Point being, that you consider the lens lost and the repair attempt to be a learning experiment. If you repair it, good for you! If you can't, nothing lost. You'd still have to buy a new lens.

Finally, I think you also need to consider what to do with the cat. If it is so old and so sick that it has to piss all over the house, maybe it's time for the cat to make a graceful exit from this life.

Terry Christian · Jan 28, 2013

Odo-Ban is a great odor remover. Unfortunately, it's a liquid, just like the source of the problem.

Whiteymorange · Jan 28, 2013

Speaking only of residual odor: wiping equipment with a Fabreeze dryer sheet and then storing the sheet in a box or bag with the equipment is a fairly effective way to minimize residual odors. I have used this in the past on cameras that came from a long-time smoker.

tkamiya · Jan 28, 2013

Does it even need anything done? Most modern professional grade lenses are very well sealed. All you need might be some simple cleaning.... What make? If Nikon, you can send it in and they'll evaluate it for free.

Simon R Galley · Jan 28, 2013

You know I would never promote digital.....but you know the way they hold the camera at arms length to take an image.......you may wish to do that for a while.....

We share our house with two cats and one basset hound, I have come to the conclusion this well known anecdote is true ...dogs have owners...cats have 'staff'.

I remember my wife saying how cute one of our cats looked resting in her handbag....it would appear the cat was not just resting ! I tried to look concerned and a little cross...trying to stop laughing I nearly did it myself.

Simon ILFORD photo / HARMAN technology Limited

Mainecoonmaniac · Jan 28, 2013

I would take it to a lens repair facility ASAP. Cat pee is very corrosive and will rust metal parts. I had a cat and and was an old buddy that sprayed. It's nasty stuff. But for other items like camera bags I'd use this. It's an enzymatic cleaner that breaks down products in cat urine.

http://www.natures-miracle.com/

henry finley · Jan 28, 2013

That ranks right up there with the dog who ate your homework. Wonder what brand of lens it was.

cjbecker · Jan 28, 2013

What lens was it?

flatulent1 · Jan 28, 2013

If urine got inside the lens, the first thing I would do is put it in a bucket of fresh water, just like you would if you'd dropped it in the sea. You want to minimize the damage urine/salt water can do to the insides of the lens. Rinse it out really really good, change the water often. Then take it to a repairman. (Disclaimer: This is pure speculation as I have never done this.)

If urine did NOT get inside the lens, wipe it down with a damp towel or somesuch. I hate febreeze, and I can't stand the smell of some of the gear I get through ebay.

(Note to self: Don't buy 400mm lenses through ebay for a few years.)

nsurit · Jan 28, 2013

Hmm, don't need that Y48 filter anymore, do you? Aren't cats wonderful? Mine are getting older and I don't leave cameras/shoes on their level.

madgardener · Jan 28, 2013

Worker 11811 said:
Finally, I think you also need to consider what to do with the cat. If it is so old and so sick that it has to piss all over the house, maybe it's time for the cat to make a graceful exit from this life.

Word came back from the vet, and she is healthy. She has a urinary tract infection, easily cured with antibiotics, and she has crystals in her urine which means she is getting a new food.

The lens is at the local camera store being evaluated. I will know more about it in 3-4 days. I don't think the urine got into the lens, it was behind a plastic bag, but I wanted to be safe and took it in.

It's a Sigma lens.

Worker 11811 · Jan 28, 2013

madgardener said:
Word came back from the vet, and she is healthy. She has a urinary tract infection, easily cured with antibiotics, and she has crystals in her urine which means she is getting a new food.

Very happy to hear!

Cats don't normally pee in the house. When they do, there is usually something wrong. Either they are upset by something or they are sick. Since your cat is sick, it is understandable.

The only reason I brought it up is because, if I was a cat, I would want my humans to pay me that courtesy when the time comes.

lxdude · Jan 28, 2013

madgardener said:
She's 17 and has a UTI. It's partly my fault for not putting the lens away, she didn't know what she was doing.
I just need to know what to do with my lens now.

Well, as it wasn't deliberate... OK, kitty reprieve.
I thought initially it was one of those things where the cat takes a disliking to something and decides to express its opinion. I like cats, but I had a cat like that once. It became an outdoor cat in a hurry.

lxdude · Jan 28, 2013

paul_c5x4;1453558Whilst the glass may remain unaffected said:
That is, if it can find the shutter...

paul_c5x4 · Jan 28, 2013

lxdude said:
That is, if it can find the shutter...

Phhhttttt Replace shutter with iris then - To be fair, the OP didn't mention camera or lens make/model.

Jeff Kubach · Jan 28, 2013

At least it wasn't a herd of buffalo!

Jeff

lxdude · Jan 28, 2013

paul_c5x4 said:
Phhhttttt Replace shutter with iris then - To be fair, the OP didn't mention camera or lens make/model.

Yeah, but going by which forum this is...

Born2Late · Jan 28, 2013

Sorry to hear about the lens.

I had similar experiences with a cat we had. We found him dead in the basement a week ago at age 18. I was tempted to take him for the last ride to the vets more than once, but glad I didn't. Stuff is cheaper than a divorce.

I just learned to put my stuff up out of harms way.

Everyone has their own attitutes about such matters, but I'm sleeping OK with my decisions.

Cat peed on my lens...HELP!

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