MDM
Member
I am thinking about selling an example of this lens that I own but it needs to be cleaned. It has what appears to be very small droplets of moisture inside of the lens as though it was misted. Otherwise, there are no other issues with the optics. Cosmetically, it is very nice with a little wear around the filter ring. I also have the original lens hood. Should I get this cleaned and then sell it or sell as is?
Heat it almost red hot with a hair dryer until the moisture is gone. Then quickly sell it to some unsuspecting dupe who hopefully, you will never see again.
By the way, lenses don't have "issues". They have problems. Like your lens does.
By the way, lenses don't have "issues". They have problems. Like your lens does.
mfogiel
Veteran
My take is a bit different: this lens deserves to be used. It is a great portrait piece of glass. Just find the right guy who will service it, and continue using it till you pass it on to your nephew. BTW, I paid USD 200 for the hood alone.
Canon 50/1.2 wide open
Canon 50/1.2 wide open
Unless you are willing to sell it as "as is For Parts/Repair", you should get it Cleaned. That moisture is probably oil, fungus, coating damage, or who knows what. "As Is" should bring about $100 for someone willing to take a risk. Of course, you are taking a risk paying for a CLA, finding it is major damage, and getting $100 in the end for it. If it cleans up nicely, the lens is worth $250~$300.
The last Canon 35/2 RF lens I bought was "as is". It was $125 with an M-Mount adapter, filter and hood.
The last Canon 35/2 RF lens I bought was "as is". It was $125 with an M-Mount adapter, filter and hood.
MDM
Member
Oscar - a professional repair service probably known to many of us suggested the hair dryer idea to me this afternoon but I don't think that I have the nerve for that ;-). Any recommendations for getting it cleaned?
ChrisN
Striving
Assuming the worst, the lens probably has the common damage to the doublet element immediately behind the aperture iris. I have had two 50/1.2 lenses with this damage, one very slight and one more serious. For some reason this lens is susceptible to the growth of a fungus on that element, which secretes an acid that eats the lens coating. Both my lenses showed this damage, but had had the fungus removed before they were sold on ebay (where I purchased).
Proper repair requires the doublet lens element to be disassembled, then the damaged element polished and recoated. Focal Point Inc (John van Stelten) is often mentioned as one who can perform this work. Good luck.
Proper repair requires the doublet lens element to be disassembled, then the damaged element polished and recoated. Focal Point Inc (John van Stelten) is often mentioned as one who can perform this work. Good luck.
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35mmdelux
Veni, vidi, vici
sell "as is" with full disclosure. cut your loses now, why bother.
EDIT: once fungi, always fugi. unless you want to shoot that way.
EDIT: once fungi, always fugi. unless you want to shoot that way.
Never Satisfied
Well-known
I've got a 50mm f1.2 that regularily gets a deposit on the rear group from oil mist created by the appeture blades and helix, it's a 5 minute job to clean it once you know how. They are like old cars and need more up keep than new ones to keep tham at their best.
If you want to sell it, PM me, Andrew.
If you want to sell it, PM me, Andrew.
Jeff Fillmore
Member
My thoughts exactly- sell with full disclosure.
What is this? The "full disclosure" morality squad? Ten people have to tell him "full disclosure"??
How about "a little disclosure", or "non disclosure"? Or just make up a story, like "owned by Cartier Bresson"?
How about "a little disclosure", or "non disclosure"? Or just make up a story, like "owned by Cartier Bresson"?
You can get rid of fungus- ammonia based cleaners are good at getting it off. UV light can be used to kill a lot of types of fungus. If left for a long enough amount of time, dead fungus will etch coating and glass. I've had quite a few lenses that it came off quite easily and without damage. But you have to take the lens apart to get to it.
f16sunshine
Moderator
Mine had the same issue. It is a very easy lens to open and clean.
I cleaned it and found damage to the glue betweent the doublet. These came apart without too much trouble and I re-glued them with some Canada balsam. Glueing right into the mounting collar was risky but did center the pair safely.
This lens works perfectly now. Yours may also.
One tip for gentle polish. Use clean cigerette ash mixed with isopropyl alchohol.
Good luck
I cleaned it and found damage to the glue betweent the doublet. These came apart without too much trouble and I re-glued them with some Canada balsam. Glueing right into the mounting collar was risky but did center the pair safely.
This lens works perfectly now. Yours may also.
One tip for gentle polish. Use clean cigerette ash mixed with isopropyl alchohol.
Good luck
hans voralberg
Veteran
I'd said fix it and use it, I once left all my 50s in a downpour and they all got water in them, open them up one by one and hair-dried them. I almost blew up the hair dryer that day lol. But it works!
The 50/1.2 is easy to open, as mentioned above. I got one from ebay and it was opaque. 5 minutes later it was super clear glass.
dagimage2
Member
Where can one find directions for opening the lens and cleaning it?
I have a copy with lots of haze -- I assume it's the same thing everyone else is talking about. I've had it cleaned once but the haze came back and I don't think it's worth paying to clean again, but if I can clean it myself periodically, I can keep using the lens for a while at least...
I have a copy with lots of haze -- I assume it's the same thing everyone else is talking about. I've had it cleaned once but the haze came back and I don't think it's worth paying to clean again, but if I can clean it myself periodically, I can keep using the lens for a while at least...