Question about 50/1.5

[flip]

I recently obtained a less-than perfect 1.5. The glass looks fine, but internally, there is 1-2mm of black surrounding one of the elements - looks like the internal paint migrated. In any case, I wasn't expecting perfection. Wide-open, the lens is quite soft and flarey. I wonder if this is a result of the defect or the design. If defect, who's the best to send it to?

Thank you,
Phil

 

[kermaier]

Doesn't sound right -- better send it for an overhaul.
I don't know who's the best in Japan. In the USA, the usual suspects are Don Goldberg (DAG Camera), Essex Camera, Sherry Krauter (Golden Touch), Eddy Smolov, et al.

 

[Bingley]

Agreed. Sounds like the lens needs to be cleaned.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

Be sure to check the surfaces on each side of the aperture for damage. Most lenses tend to develop Haze on them, and the glass used on the Canon lenses tends towards having the coating and glass becoming "etched". The earlier Canons tend to resist the etching.

The Black Paint is likely from the portion of the optics that are painted to reduce reflections. It comes loose from the glass and floats around. This happened with my Canon 85/2.

A Canon 50/1.5 is quite good wide-open. Sounds like yours needs a good cleaning.

 

[flip]

Thanks for the info. I will look into repair.