How to strip a Panasonic DMC-ZS3 (TZ7) lens to remove dust?

[Tommygunn]

I'm looking for help that will allow me to get into the lens of a Panasonic DMC-ZS3 (TZ7) to remove dust.
So far I have stripped the camera down to where I have removed the lens/sensor module from the camera and I'm able to remove the sensor from the module but I don't know how to get into the lens to fix the problem.
Below is a link to a photo of the problem I need to fix.
Any experts?

Cheers,
Tom.

http://i686.photobucket.com/albums/v...utjpegDust.jpg

[Alex1994]

Do those dust specks affect the image? Lenses aren't designed to be taken apart, in fact most of the damage and dirt in broken lenses comes from people taking them apart. You're likely to introduce a lot more dust than you remove, unless you have access to a clean room or something. Your best bet, if it really is a problem, is to get it cleaned professionally.

[Tommygunn]

Yeah, I'm going to leave it after reading this article, it'll be a lot less hassle.

Cheers,
Tom.

[miketoll]

Gosh what a fascinating link. I saw your picture of your dust and knew that that amount of dust would not be a problem optically and was going to advice to leave well alone but I had no idea you could mangle a lens as much as the guy in the link did and still get excellent shots so thanks for posting. Just hope you can get everything back together again properly!

[Tommygunn]

Yep, no sweat, all back together and working just fine.

Tom.

[Tommygunn]

Just to wrap this up, I found a superb guide on Youtube that will no doubt help those with my camera or those with similar models.
I now have a perfectly clean camera front to back.

Lens strip & clean:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YOCL6JBolM

CCD cleaning:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nmwt0frZns

Tom.

[miketoll]

Very good guide but not for me! Not that I need it anyway thank goodness.