Maybe OT, "haze" on front lens element?

[dmr]

Sorry if this is OT, I know this isn't rangefinder.

One thing I've been looking for is a wide-wide angle lens, rectilinear and not fish-eye, for the Pentax K. They are few and far between on "that auction site" but they do pop up every now and then. In every case where I've bid, somebody else wanted it more than I did.

There's one on there now, a Sigma 18mm, which is described as "The overall condition is Exc." (yeah, I know, translates to only run over by a small truck) with the note: "The lens has moderate haze in the front element but is free of fungus, scratches and separation"

I know it's impossible for anybody to advise without seeing it, but I'll ask the collective wisdom here if they thing this would be worth grabbing? I know that haze will decrease contrast and acuity.

I'm wondering if this could be something that could be cleaned or repaired easily.

Any thoughts? Or should I just pass this one up? Thanks, gang. 🙂

 

[Kim Coxon]

Hi,
My gut reaction would be to avoid it. If you are really keen to get it, ask some fairly serious questions first. Does the person really know what fungus is? There is more than one sort. It may appear as tendrils but may also appear as haze. Depending on whether the fungus has attacked the glass, it may be cleanable. The other main reason for "haze" can be a balsam fault with the front group delaminating. At best this is a specialist professional fix and likely to be expensive. I have often come across lenses with dust. The odd one may have a tobacco haze on the outside and I have seen one with condensation. I have never seen one with a "dirt" haze inside, the haze has always been something more serious.

Kim

Sorry if this is OT, I know this isn't rangefinder.

One thing I've been looking for is a wide-wide angle lens, rectilinear and not fish-eye, for the Pentax K. They are few and far between on "that auction site" but they do pop up every now and then. In every case where I've bid, somebody else wanted it more than I did.

There's one on there now, a Sigma 18mm, which is described as "The overall condition is Exc." (yeah, I know, translates to only run over by a small truck) with the note: "The lens has moderate haze in the front element but is free of fungus, scratches and separation"

I know it's impossible for anybody to advise without seeing it, but I'll ask the collective wisdom here if they thing this would be worth grabbing? I know that haze will decrease contrast and acuity.

I'm wondering if this could be something that could be cleaned or repaired easily.

Any thoughts? Or should I just pass this one up? Thanks, gang. 🙂

 

[doubs43]

Would you consider another possibility? I don't know what your budget is but the 20mm f/3.5 MIR-20M sells new for $129 plus shipping from Kiev Camera of Atlanta. It's in M42 mount but would work just fine on your K-mount with an adapter. It comes with a set of three filters that screw into the back of the lens.

Just a thought.

Walker

 

[dmr]

Thanks everybody. I am tending to agree with Kim that I should just pass this one up. Oh well, I'm not really in a hurry.

Would you consider another possibility? I don't know what your budget is but the 20mm f/3.5 MIR-20M sells new for $129 plus shipping from Kiev Camera of Atlanta. It's in M42 mount but would work just fine on your K-mount with an adapter. It comes with a set of three filters that screw into the back of the lens.

I'm hoping for one in the $50-ish range or lower. I was outbid just slightly on a few of these so I'm sure I can get one eventually in that price range.

Stupid question here, do they make a K-mount to M42 adapter that has any auto coupling? I would like it to behave like a K mount lens, meaning focus and expose wide open.

 

[Kim Coxon]

Stupid question here, do they make a K-mount to M42 adapter that has any auto coupling? I would like it to behave like a K mount lens, meaning focus and expose wide open.

Hi,
Fuji did one which kept the auto stop down on the X mount, but as far as I am aware there never has been one for the Pentax.

Kim

 

[Doug]

Stupid question here, do they make a K-mount to M42 adapter that has any auto coupling? I would like it to behave like a K mount lens, meaning focus and expose wide open.

Well, that would be my dumb question too, as I do have the adaptor made by Pentax and it does not include a diaphragm coupling... so all M42 lenses used on my K cameras end up with no auto diaphagm. They can be used like a preset lens though, using the Auto/Manual switch to go from wide open for focusing to stopped down to the previously-set aperture. Not the perfect solution.

Exactly the same for the Olympus-made adaptor that allows M42 lenses to work on the Pen F...

But I believe there are certain adaptors that do feature auto-diaphragm coupling. Not the only one, but I think Pentax's adaptor for 6x7 lenses on the 645 SLR do maintain automation.