Lens Fogging

[justins7]

I pulled out my trusty Summitar lens after a few years of non-use only to discover, to my horror, that there is fogging starting to appear inside, between lens elements.
I realize that storing it in a basement (albeit a cool, relatively dry one) is not the best plan. Can this be fixed? Is there anything that can be done to prevent this? What about keeping lenses in plastic baggies?

I am going to have to find a storage facility in space, since everwhere I keep my things (in New York) is damp and hot. My cameras and comic books and paintings are rotting away... :angel: :bang:

 

[phototone]

Of course the lens can be taken apart and cleaned. The Summitar has a front element that is a cemented pair, and if this cement breaks down, and that is the cause of your "fogginess" then it may not be cost-effective to repair it, as the un-cementing, cleaning, new coating and re-cementing is quite pricy, but if the lens just needs a good clean on all the air to glass surfaces, then it is a relatively easy job, and if you are handy, one you could actually do yourself. These lenses are not holy relics. You can, with patience and care, do the cleaning yourself, or there are many qualified people to do it.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

Essex has cleaned severe haze from my two Summarits and 13.5cm Hektor. I would not store them in a baggy, best to let them air. The oils used will outgas, and the glass is in line for it to condense on.

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

Can this be fixed? Is there anything that can be done to prevent this? What about keeping lenses in plastic baggies?

Keeping your lenses in plastic bags is what you don't want to do if you don't want this to happen to you! That's also a ripe environment for fungus growth.

Give your lenses plenty of air; give them plenty of sun, at least once every other week, to keep them healthy.

Per the fogging, you can either risk doing a weekend job yourself, or send it to Don Goldberg @ DAG: http://www.dagcamera.com/ He can take a bit long (3-4 weeks), but he's very good; he CLA'd my Summar, dented filter ring, serious fog, rusty base; all fixed for $85 (I think, or $70, I can't remember anymore).