Canon 50mm 1.8 LTM - oil on blades
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bmattock
Veteran
It should be possible, but I do not know what it would cost. Bear in mind that on a rangefinder lens, although the oil on the blades is not a good thing, as long as the aperture works correctly and isn't sticking, the oil affects the image only slightly (in my experience). If it gets on the inside of the lens surfaces, that's another matter. But I have found that I am capable (with a lens spanner) of removing and cleaning lens elements myself. You'll want to get it corrected of course, but you may find you can live with it for awhile.
Mackinaw
Think Different
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I've had oil on the aperture blades of an old LTM Canon 35/2.8 since I bought it back in 1977 (worse than shown in your pic). Never had it cleaned and it works just fine. No impact on image quality either, best I can tell.
But, most Canon LTM lenses are easy to disassemble and clean, if you're so inclined. Lot of stuff on the web on how to do this. Or you can send it to a technician to be cleaned. No idea what that would cost though.
JIm B.
But, most Canon LTM lenses are easy to disassemble and clean, if you're so inclined. Lot of stuff on the web on how to do this. Or you can send it to a technician to be cleaned. No idea what that would cost though.
JIm B.
MIkhail
Well-known
I have a lens that looks exactly as pictured... come to think of it, it may be also Canon 50mm. Anyway, no issues with that whatsoever, no effect on image quality. The only issue you would have if the oil get thick and sticky. Did not happen to me for the last 10 years anyway, so I am not worrying about it.
Not relevant for the most part on RF lenses unless it gets on the glass. Oil can affect SLR lens stop down action, which can mess with exposure. If the lens is not hazy already it probably can be left alone.
Huss
Veteran
How cheap is cheap? It'll give us an idea if it is worth dealing with. Oil on blades can evaporate and coat the inner glass surfaces.
MIkhail
Well-known
Dante_Stella
Rex canum cattorumque
Usually about a $60-75 repair. The oil is coming from the grease under the aperture ring, which can be replaced with a more modern, less-migrating version. But unless the oil is interfering with your pictures, it's not worth fixing on that lens. It's probably also not worth the 2-3 month wait to have it addressed.
Dante
Dante
Huss
Veteran
Some don't realize it has happened, as the degradation is lens contrast will be slow and subtle.
There was a thread a while back about someone's old Summicron lens. The pics were really hazy, and some said that that was the gorgeous Summicron look, inherent to the design. Then the owner got it cleaned, and the images were sharp and contrasty again.
daveleo
what?
I can't comment on how bad the oil issue may be, but Youxin Ye CLA'd a zeiss jena 50mm for me for about $80. I forgot the exact amount. Send him an email with the picture and ask him.
But I would personally follow the advice above and leave it alone for now.
But I would personally follow the advice above and leave it alone for now.
MIkhail
Well-known
Huss
Veteran
If you're happy with the lens, yes!
aoresteen
Well-known
I *think* Don Goldberg charges about $75 to CLA a Canon lens. IMHO you should get the lens and have it serviced. It will last you a lifetime. Don will also check the focus & collimate it if needed.
DAG Camera 608-835-3342.
DAG Camera 608-835-3342.
xayraa33
rangefinder user and fancier
Canon RF lenses are a little more tolerant of jamming up as a result of thickening oil on the aperture blades than Nikkor RF lenses in my personal experience.
It is best to have that lens serviced for longevity of use.
It is best to have that lens serviced for longevity of use.
m6h2e
Newbie
Well, the lens was offered to me for about 120euro, which is about 130usd, so its not really expensive compared to the prices here in europe I've seen so far. Its too bad that there are not any other canons in good condition available right now and there are no real alternatives in that price range (100-200€) I'd rather prefer shooting immediatly. So I might buy that lens and live with its "flaw" the first few months.
goamules
Well-known
Oil on the blades does not cause any problems. Leave it.
If the iris works, it works. If the glass is clean, what is there to worry about? If the iris is sticky, or stuck, that's the problem. Oil can help that, or old oil can hurt. If the oil outgasses and fogs the lens glass, that can be a problem. But it usually doesn't. Don't make a mountain out of a molehill, just look through the lens and work the iris. If clear and smooth, it's good to go.
If the iris works, it works. If the glass is clean, what is there to worry about? If the iris is sticky, or stuck, that's the problem. Oil can help that, or old oil can hurt. If the oil outgasses and fogs the lens glass, that can be a problem. But it usually doesn't. Don't make a mountain out of a molehill, just look through the lens and work the iris. If clear and smooth, it's good to go.
jaapv
RFF Sponsoring Member.
I would keep searching. I paid 100 Euro for an as-new one. 120 for a lens with an (albeit minor) issue that will cost you 75 Euro or so to have rectified is a bit expensive imo.
Should you decide for it, Will van Manen is a vintage Canon lens expert.
Having said that, these lenses are hidden gems. On B&W they easily outperform the Summicron of the same era, in colour they are fine but produce a slightly pastel palette compared to Leica.
Fixcinater
Never enough smoky peat
More important than the oil on the blades (seeing as this is a RF lens not SLR where quick stop down action is necessary), is if the glass is free of etching/hazing.
The 50/1.8 amongst other Canon RF lenses are quite easy to open and clean up, but sometimes the glass gets hazed in a way that will not clean up or polish out.
The 50/1.8 amongst other Canon RF lenses are quite easy to open and clean up, but sometimes the glass gets hazed in a way that will not clean up or polish out.
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