Nikon Lens Haze

[twvancamp]

I got a Nikon 35mm f2D which arrived incredibly hazy. Thought I might be able to salvage it, so I removed front element to find:

This, and another angle.

Is this separation of the element? Just fungus? I tried dish soap then dipped it in some Ammonia/Hydrogen Peroxide. This seemed to help a little, but the bulk is still there.

Any thoughts on what this is exactly, and if it is removable. Thanks in advance!

 

[CharlesDAMorgan]

A lot of haze, some fungus and possibly some separation.

Can you return it? That's in shocking condition!

 

[B-9]

Yeah ouch looks like a little of everything in there.

If it was cheap enough you might be surprised at how well it still performs with the separation. Lol

 

[Huss]

Is this separation of the element? Just fungus?

I think it has ebola. I would not let that thing near my other gear.
Return it, or toss it.

 

[richardHaw]

this is NOT haze. 😱😱😱

i deal with haze very often and they can come in different types from condensed oil, dirt, crusty deposits, scratches, etc. this is totally different. looks more like terrible surface damage than anything from the tiny photo

 

[Timmyjoe]

Had the same lens, in the same condition, and even though I used hydrogen peroxide to clean up and kill all the fungus, the fungus had eaten/destroyed the coating on the surfaces between the lens elements, and there was nothing I could do (short of having all the surfaces stripped down, polished, and then recoated) so the lens went into the garbage.

Sorry.

Best,
-Tim

 

[farlymac]

I have one with separation, and it doesn't affect it at all. But that's a lot of fungus thrown in with it, so the coatings will be damaged too. As mentioned above, once that stuff gets between the elements, the lens is usually a goner now that hardly anyone does the corrective work anymore. Hope you can get a refund.


PF

 

[twvancamp]

Thank you for the candid responses 😀

Return is possible so I'll be sending it back, though like B-9 said it is incredible what the lens can still pick up despite the damage. Search for a bargain on this lens continues...

 

[TenEleven]

Agreeing with Rich, this is not haze. It's either surface damage or, I assume the lens was left in some hot environment and the cement partially came loose melting and bubbling up.

I'd have to check the lens diagram first though, to see whether these elements are actually cemented at all. Otherwise, yeah surface damage.