Canon LTM Canon ltm 50mm f1.8

Canon M39 M39 screw mount bodies/lenses
Lens elements appear to loaded with separated grease. This lens is fairly easy to clean if you have the proper tools such as lens spanner, suction cup and screwdrivers. Hard to say if the lens is any good until it can be taken apart and cleaned. I have a few old Canon lenses that were hazy and cleaned up nicely, but I have never seen one this oily.
 
Thank you. I did wonder if it was oil, so hopefully it will clean up. I'll see what I can do and I'll be sure to post the results, good or bad.
 
Hooeee. Possibly also condensation and fungus. Only hope is to disassemble and clean .. yourself or by a pro (and good luck with it). But the L1 is a keeper :)
 
Thanks! It does have a tiny bit of fungus too, so I'll likely send it to someone and get them to see what's going on. It sounds like it could be a mixture of things! Thankfully the L1 isn't like that and it WILL be staying!!!!
 
Actually, from the size and dispersion pattern of the droplets, it looks to me like water condensation. If it were oil or any other liquid I can't imagine a way for that amount of fluid to make its way inside without getting on everything else. But water vapor in a super saturated environment could easily condense on inner elements and get trapped there just as your photos show.
 
I've seen Canon lenses this bad- the lens is not hard to take apart, but you will need a spanner. Hard to know if the damage is permanent until opening it up. If it is bad- I've had good luck replacing elements, if you can find another lens with good inner glass and a bad front.
 
Interesting thought about condensation. It did arrive on a plane last weekend, so I guess it could be that. I'd happily work on it if it wasn't so mint (other than the obvious problem) so I'll send it away and get it checked. I have thought about finding a doner element, so if it's too far gone, that'll be my next step!!!
 
I read this post shortly after it appeared. I took my own Canon 50mm f/1.8 out of the drawer where it had lain for 4 months, replaced by a red scale Elmar; and lo it had a scattering of transparent dots inside on an element surface. Oh!! shukkins!!!! I thought (or words to that effect). I looked through the lens to-day, 13th. Jun, and all but one or tw of the spots had disappeared. Ahh, perhaps it is water.
Memo to self -- dry out a load of silica-gel and spread it liberally around.
Incidentally, Steve, how is your Canon f/1.8 doing?

D.Lox
 
steve_b said:
Interesting thought about condensation. It did arrive on a plane last weekend, so I guess it could be that. I'd happily work on it if it wasn't so mint (other than the obvious problem) so I'll send it away and get it checked. I have thought about finding a doner element, so if it's too far gone, that'll be my next step!!!
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I'm not sure how different your later black/chrome is in terms of disassembly, but hopefully you'll find my documentation of how I cleaned my early all chrome Canon Serenar 50/1.8 LTM helpful.

5598029368_753120ccb2_o.jpg

Here's a sample picture after CLA, more pics here.
 
Wow!! Sounds like you've been very fortunate for the spots to have all but disappeared!! Are these vintage lenses a lot more sensitive to the conditions they are stored in? Have you had this problem with any of your other lenses?

Thank you so much for providing the link to your excellent work!!! If my lens can be resurrected to give me pictures half as good as that, I'll be delighted. Rather than opening it up myself, I sent it to a repairman who found the spots were droplets of oil. Unfortunately after it was cleaned, the glass was still very hazy so the only option is to try and polish it or find a doner lens in much better shape.

I've been able to find a suitable lens which is on the way to me now and I'm hoping it's haze free. It does appear to be. Hopefully next week I'll have an idea if it's going to be ok, or not!!!
 
steve_b said:
Is it that bad then.. Guess I'll just keep it for the parts!
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Probably try to get it cleaned. If not, keep it and try getting another with a worn/used barrel. Barrel body seems in a great shape so it would be great if glass could be replaced.
 
mpaniagua said:
Probably try to get it cleaned. If not, keep it and try getting another with a worn/used barrel. Barrel body seems in a great shape so it would be great if glass could be replaced.
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Thank you, the lens is beautiful so I'll do all I can to get it fixed! I've managed to find a later lens that's cosmetically not as good on the outside and has some scratches on the glass. The problem element appears to be fine so hopefully once it arrives, it'll be a straight swap!
 
Just a quick update to let you know the element swap was successful and the lens is haze free! The clean parts lens was a Type 7 version and the hazed lens is a Type 5.

The element from the Type 7 fits the 5 but the 5 won't fit in the 7 due to the length of a screw thread inside the housing. So that's something to look out for if you're thinking of doing the same.

I'm looking forward to getting out and using it now!

P7011955 by Steve, on Flickr

P7011956 by Steve, on Flickr

P7011957 by Steve, on Flickr

P7011958 by Steve, on Flickr
 
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