Joe Jesus
shaggy nurse
I certainly hope it isn't. Pardon the large image. Thanks!
Is this fungus in my Summitar?
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DNG
Film Friendly
looks like one type....
a simple clean for a repair shop, as long it is not between elements that are cemented. The sooner you get it cleaned, the better for any coatings.
a simple clean for a repair shop, as long it is not between elements that are cemented. The sooner you get it cleaned, the better for any coatings.
Joe Jesus
shaggy nurse
Darn. Thanks for the help!
x-ray
Veteran
Its separation starting. I've seen exactly this several times.
Joe Jesus
shaggy nurse
Whoa, that sounds bad. What can I do to prevent this?
maddoc
... likes film again.
I second this, mine looked the same when separation started.
There is nothing to prevent this, only a good repair shop can help and it might cost more than another lens.
x-ray
Veteran
Google lens fungus pictures and you'll see what fungus is. Fungus is like cotton candy almost. It has filaments. The snow flake pattern is separation. Generally it's not a big deal. It may not get any more advanced.
DNG
Film Friendly
Separation is just cause of the age, cement used, storage conditions......
The only way to fix, is to have it torn down, the old cement cleaned of, and redone. Not cheap..
Being on the rear block, it will effect the image at small f/stops... like f/16, f/11 and many show up at f/8
I hope it is fungus, an under $125 at most fix.
The only way to fix, is to have it torn down, the old cement cleaned of, and redone. Not cheap..
Being on the rear block, it will effect the image at small f/stops... like f/16, f/11 and many show up at f/8
I hope it is fungus, an under $125 at most fix.
x-ray
Veteran
Age is the main factor in separation but excessive heat an be a contributor too. Most of the time it's just related to the type of balsam used to glue the elements and age.
It may not get any worse. Try shooting it and wIt and see. At this point it's probably not a problem.
Recently I bought a Nikkor LTM 35 f1.8 from an eBay seller. His photos were deceptive and the lens had about a dozen small patches like this. Fortunately I was able to return it.
I think focal point is the only ace re cementing. If it gets bad te cost to repair will be more than a good used one. On the large format forum several members have repaired their own. They remove the grouping and soak it for several days in acetone ( I think this is the solvent ) and it eventually disves the balsam. They beforehand mark the edges of the elements so they can precisely reposition them and then re cement and align the elements. They generally use a cement for this purpose that sets with uv light. If it's unusable eventually you have nothing to lose.
It may not get any worse. Try shooting it and wIt and see. At this point it's probably not a problem.
Recently I bought a Nikkor LTM 35 f1.8 from an eBay seller. His photos were deceptive and the lens had about a dozen small patches like this. Fortunately I was able to return it.
I think focal point is the only ace re cementing. If it gets bad te cost to repair will be more than a good used one. On the large format forum several members have repaired their own. They remove the grouping and soak it for several days in acetone ( I think this is the solvent ) and it eventually disves the balsam. They beforehand mark the edges of the elements so they can precisely reposition them and then re cement and align the elements. They generally use a cement for this purpose that sets with uv light. If it's unusable eventually you have nothing to lose.
kuzano
Veteran
Call and talk to Jon (John?) at Focalpoint.com
Call and talk to Jon (John?) at Focalpoint.com
I think that's the name and site. They did three surfaces for me on a Mamiya 75 Press lens. Not cheap but excellent work. I hear they have all the tools and a collimation bench..... whatever that means. Re-cemented two, cleaned three, if I recall correctiy. Lens pretty worthless before the work
Fast turn around. I spoke with him before sending the lens. Happy with the work.
Call and talk to Jon (John?) at Focalpoint.com
I think that's the name and site. They did three surfaces for me on a Mamiya 75 Press lens. Not cheap but excellent work. I hear they have all the tools and a collimation bench..... whatever that means. Re-cemented two, cleaned three, if I recall correctiy. Lens pretty worthless before the work
Fast turn around. I spoke with him before sending the lens. Happy with the work.
Luddite Frank
Well-known
I always thought these little "stars" or "snowflakes" were fungus...
I guess I'm used to the yellowish, crystalline edge-separation of circa 1900 lenses... 😱
How is the general condition of the lens otherwise, cleaning marks, scratches ? If the glass is good, it might be worth having re-cemented.
Since it it towards the edge, it might not affect image quality when stopped-down a bit ?
I guess I'm used to the yellowish, crystalline edge-separation of circa 1900 lenses... 😱
How is the general condition of the lens otherwise, cleaning marks, scratches ? If the glass is good, it might be worth having re-cemented.
Since it it towards the edge, it might not affect image quality when stopped-down a bit ?
Highway 61
Revisited
It's actually separation but the one due to a thermic shock having made the balsam melt, then come back to normal temperature by making that typical "snowflake" thing beween the two cemented elements.
It's not the kind of separation which may increase over time, and which starts in a different way, and looks different.
IMO it won't have any effect on the photos. Just leave the Summitar as is and use it to death.
Here are some pics of something identical I once got in a 1936 Sonnar which performed extremely well otherwise.
It's not the kind of separation which may increase over time, and which starts in a different way, and looks different.
IMO it won't have any effect on the photos. Just leave the Summitar as is and use it to death.
Here are some pics of something identical I once got in a 1936 Sonnar which performed extremely well otherwise.
pixelated
Established
A repair may well cost as much as a replacement, but you'll have a lens that is as close to new condition (assuming Focal Point does the work) as possible. Much better, IMHO than a random used lens.
Joe Jesus
shaggy nurse
So I should just roll with it? I probably can't swing the cost of having it re-cemented, might have to pass it on to someone who wants to give it the attention it needs.
Luddite Frank
Well-known
Try it out and see how it works first...
Highway 61
Revisited
Yes. The balsam failure spot is small and lonely. It won't affect the pics.
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