How problematic is oil on aperture blades?

[maclaine]

I've had the luxury of mostly having new and newish lenses for all of my cameras with little to no problems, but I just picked up a 50mm DR Summicron, and while it is free from scratches and haze on the lens elements, there is a fair amount of oil on the aperture blades. However, the aperture ring and focus ring both move very smoothly.

So, wise RFF members, please educate me on how big of a problem this is. I would like to begin using the lens, but will that just exacerbate any issues it might have? Should I just suck it up and get it cleaned before using it?

Thanks!

 

[david.elliott]

Are you sure it is oil and not just wear on the blades?

It isn't as big a problem as on a SLR - since with a SLR oil can lead to sticky blades which will affect exposure.

So long as the oil doesn't get on the lens elements, I wouldn't worry about it much.

 

[bmattock]

I've had the luxury of mostly having new and newish lenses for all of my cameras with little to no problems, but I just picked up a 50mm DR Summicron, and while it is free from scratches and haze on the lens elements, there is a fair amount of oil on the aperture blades. However, the aperture ring and focus ring both move very smoothly.

So, wise RFF members, please educate me on how big of a problem this is. I would like to begin using the lens, but will that just exacerbate any issues it might have? Should I just suck it up and get it cleaned before using it?

Thanks!

The oil is shiny and can cause internal reflections, which could serve to lower contrast. It may also (or may not) drip onto the surface of the glass itself, causing distortion.

I have a few lenses which are oil-coated. I have not found them to be intolerable to me. Others feel differently. Sorry, no easy answer for this - it depends upon your expectations and what particular effects this lens' oil-coated blades might cause.

 

[Roger Hicks]

Small amounts (enough for a shiny finish): irrelevant.

Lots (as from a bad CLA): needs a good CLA.

Cheers,

R.

 

[ferider]

Hi Maclaine,

assuming this is the lens that I shipped to you last week, I would have appreciated you contacting me directly on this.

This might not be oil but wear on the blades, typical for older Summicrons. I sold it to you clean and inspected it carefully.

If you do not like the lens I will take it back, of course.

Roland.

 

[Tim Gray]

I've heard that the oil can eventually condense on the element surfaces and cause some problems. But if it's just a bit and the aperture is still working smoothly, probably not an immediate concern.

 

[maclaine]

It seems as if I may have overreacted a bit (not the first time) and that it's just normal wear. I'm lucky enough to live very close to Youxin Ye, so I'm going to see what he has to say before doing any unnecessary repair work or causing anyone any grief (sorry, Roland). Thanks for your replies, everyone.

 

[ferider]

No problem and thanks for clarifying, Maclaine.

 

[David Murphy]

Eventually you should have it serviced and cleaned, but if the oil is not outgasing and causing haze (very common), then you can use it with good results. I think the reflection issue is exaggerated (like most baffling concepts its theoretical, not always easy to demonstrate). I had one camera tech tell me that he likes to find vintage lenses with oil since in many cases the aperture blades would otherwise be rusted shut.

SLR lenses are another story of course, if auto iris action is contemplated (as it usually is these days). The oil will usually force one to use them as a preset lens with the usual restrictions this implies on metering, composing, etc.

 

[cataxsmi]

I laughed so hard my daughter walked in the room and asked what was so funny!!
Thank you for the smile and for being such a great PM friend to me!! I'm so grateful for all your support and friendship...

 

[Mackinaw]

I bought an old Canon 35mm F2.8 lens back in 1978 that had oil on the aperture blades. It's still there today with no ill effects to the lens or images taken with it during the past 31 years.

Jim B.

 

[Hacker]

I rather have oil than wear and tear on the aperture blades. Oil can be cleaned.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

A little oil is not going to hurt things on a Manual aperture mechanism. On an Automatic (most SLR's) aperture mechanism, it causes sluggish response and improper exposure.

Left for long periods of time, it will cause haze on the adjacent surfaces. On some lenses, especially later Canon RF lenses, it will destroy the glass.