Bubbles and haze? 40/1.4

[glchua]

I've recently bought a used 40/1.4 Nokton from another user. It is a huge mistake on my part not to check the glass properly.

I found that the rear element has quite a number of bubbles covering an irregular area of maybe 3-5 mm square. Tilting the lens and inspecting the glass, I saw sort of like fine water marks in the internal elements.

Mechanics are okay with smooth and firm clicks for the aperture ring. Focussing is just a little stiff initially but loosened up after 1 roll. I believe that this lens was only very lightly used.

I wonder if these are causes for concern. Would the distributor still warranty it? The owner said it was less than a year old.

Thanks in advance for any opinion or advice.

 

[back alley]

bubbles used to common even in good glass.
i doubt it will have much impact.

haze is kinda strange on new glass though.
maybe the humidity has started something?

 

[Dougg]

Just as one rather bad possibility... If the lens got too hot for some reason, bubbles can form in the adhesive between elements, and if that forced that cemented pair slightly apart, you might see an interference pattern. But if the bubbles appear to be *within* a glass element, that might be very unsual these days but perhaps not cause for alarm.

 

[jan normandale]

surprisingly lenses with 'flaws' often perform as they should. Strange as it seems, so I would run a roll of fine film say 50 or 100 ISO BW and have some GLOSSY prints made. If there is a problem it will show. It could save a lot of time and besides if it is showing then you have 'demonstrated' it with the prints.

 

[hiwatt]

I had a similar problem with my 40/1.4 MC, bought from another user:
It's got one or two minuscule air bubbles in the center of the rear element.

Even though the bubble(s) are right in the middle of the element, I couldn't notice any effect on negs, even on EFKE25 scanned at 4800DPI...

I'd probably be more concerned about some widespread haze.

 

[ChrisN]

I've got several lenses with bubbles, and even chips in the glass (front element) that have no apparent effect on the images. As Hiwatt has indicated haze can be bad, causing flare when shooting into the light. I'd shoot some test shots,and if it is otherwise good maybe have it serviced to have the haze cleaned off.

 

[glchua]

Thanks for all the reply.

After scanning my first roll of T400CN, the resolution seems okay. Have a shot with backlighting and it has the "glow"!

I kind of like that shot, reminds me of the "well-cleaned" 50 collapsible cron I used to have. Guess that must be due to the haze. I think I'll send it in for cleaning.

The point about bubbles separating 2 elements is new to me. Many thanks!

 

[haagen_dazs]

how do the bubbles come about?
its a a manufacturing defect or something to do with the uneven coating?
😕 😕

 

[bobomoon]

my favorite lenses have bubbles so now i prefer lenses with bubbles. Real scientific, huh?

😀

 

[rich815]

how do the bubbles come about?
its a a manufacturing defect or something to do with the uneven coating?
😕 😕

http://www.us.schott.com/optics_devices/english/download/tie-28_bubbles_and_inclusions_us.pdf