Possible fungus 90/2.8 Elmarit M

[E__WOK]

I've have several lenses with dust and/or scratches but no fungus until possibly now.

Can someone confirm this? I looked at it with a loupe and flashlight. In normal light it looks like a cleaning mark but it looks like tiny dotted specks along the edges under magnification.

As this lens is no longer produced, how difficult would this to clean and what is an estimated price to fix?

Should I just use the lens as is or have the fungus removed before it causes damage beyond repair?

I will use this lens for film and digital but I am unable to see any blemishes on the files at this time.

 

[Drago]

it looks like a coating damage to me

 

[Kate-the-Great]

Is that on an inside surface? It does look like fungus, but I agree with Drago that it could be coating damage if it's on the front element.

If the mark only appeared recently, I would have it checked and cleaned as soon as possible.

 

[Fuchs]

Depending on the element or elements it could also be some initial cement detachment

 

[Bille]

Not fungus, lens separation.
http://s197.photobucket.com/user/kirkwoodpix/media/DSCF1100.jpg.html

 

[rfaspen]

If we're talking about the blotchy areas around the center of the lens, that's separation. I have it in my elmarit 90 (earlier version) too. I hate separation.

Sometimes its relatively easy to repair, sometimes not. Mine is not (nearly impossible). John Van Stelton (Focal Point) is a suggestion. Email him (include the photo of the issue) and he'll give you the straight talk about your options. Of course, Leica can service the lens as well. Sometimes not as up-front with the options though.

 

[Kate-the-Great]

I was thinking that looked like separation too, but if this is the newest (1990-2008) 90 2.8, there aren't any cemented elements AFAIK- it's a 4/4 design with air gaps. I believe the previous one was also air-gapped, a 5/5.

John with Focal Point is great, he's always responded to my questions promptly and thoroughly.

 

[E__WOK]

If we're talking about the blotchy areas around the center of the lens, that's separation. I have it in my elmarit 90 (earlier version) too. I hate separation.

Sometimes its relatively easy to repair, sometimes not. Mine is not (nearly impossible). John Van Stelton (Focal Point) is a suggestion. Email him (include the photo of the issue) and he'll give you the straight talk about your options. Of course, Leica can service the lens as well. Sometimes not as up-front with the options though.

It appears to be on the inside and not external coating damage.

The unspecific blemish was stated before the the purchase.

I will contact Focal Point. If the repair price is too high, I will send it back for a refund.

Thanks.

 

[E__WOK]

I was thinking that looked like separation too, but if this is the newest (1990-2008) 90 2.8, there aren't any cemented elements AFAIK- it's a 4/4 design with air gaps. I believe the previous one was also air-gapped, a 5/5.

John with Focal Point is great, he's always responded to my questions promptly and thoroughly.

This is the newest version.

Looking at it again, heck it may be on the outside. Maybe I should stop by the Leica store to get their opinion or even one of the many local RFFers.

 

[rfaspen]

Well, if there's no cemented elements in the new elmarit, it can't be separation😱.

So, if that's coating loss (maybe smudges from contact with some kind of solvent), what's the possible effect on IQ? I have/had some lenses with coating loss on the front element and the effect was basically no effect. However, these weren't high-performance lenses.

 

[E__WOK]

I went to the Leica store and they said it is coating loss, rather than lens separation, the outcome which makes me happy.