Received Nikkor HC 50mm f2 with a bit of Haze, to keep or not to keep?

[einszwei7]

Hi,
I received a nikkor 5cm f2 in ltm mount with a bit of haze unter the front Element, which can only be seen sideways from the front like in the photo i added. It was ~100$ and i can return it. Is it worth to keep it or not? Focus operates smoothly, aperture clicks at all stops.
It was supposed to be more of a backup for those rare occasions that i actually want to use a 50mm, i think i would've bought a Jupiter 8 otherwise

Thanks in advance

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[Veggies]

It’s an okay price but if it was on eBay then just return it

 

[xayraa33]

See if the seller can refund you a partial discount.

If its haze and not fungus, it is an easy lens to clean.

The front lens element block unscrews as a unit from the front ( use a piece of rubber to get some purchase on that serrated front ring) and the haze is usually on the end element exterior, an easy clean with ammonia or 100% ethyl alcohol and a clean small piece of well washed linen

 

[Beemermark]

For $100 send it to me.

 

[Steve M.]

Just put a hood on it and shoot it. Probably will have zero effect on your images.

 

[peterm1]

If you are adept with tools you could try cleaning it yourself. This article explains how to disassemble this lens.

https://richardhaw.com/2018/03/18/repair-nikkor-h-c-5cm-f-2-ltm/

However cleaning haze is a crapshoot. Some haze will eventually etch the surface of the lens element on which it resides, and thus this problem has to be regarded as permanent in the sense that it cannot be removed without some loss of function. I recently bought a Canon LTM 100mm f3.5 with this problem and careful cleaning could not get rid of the haze. Never the less I was happy to keep it and use it knowing that if I shoot against bright lights I am likely to have problems - that will not show up in other situations.

If the haze if permanent but has only affected the lens coating and not actually etched the glass, then it can perhaps be partly or completely polished out - but of course with the loss of the coating which may be preferable to leaving the haze. There are also some threads on the internet explaining specifically how this polishing is carried out. I believe that it is performed using a compound (readily available) called cerium oxide but other ultra fine polishing compounds should also work. Bear in mind this is risky and if done poorly or overdone will damage the optics. Like I said - crapshoot.

In any event I would try the lens - with a hood as others advise - and see if you can live with the lens. As I understand it what you paid for the lens is quite cheap and I suppose in keeping with its condition though you should have been advised of its condition before purchase. While you say it only has a "bit of haze"........ I think the photo you posted looks worse than "a bit" but this may be a trick of the light.

 

[jonmanjiro]

Received Nikkor HC 50mm f2 with a bit of Haze, to keep or not to keep?

I have cleaned haze out of a few of these with a 100% success rate. Most LTM Nikkors have tough coatings so my guess is that this lens will clean up nicely too.

The Canon 100/3.5 is super prone to haze and, like many other Canon LTM lenses, it is impossible to clean because it's caused by glass corrosion.

 

[einszwei7]

Thank you all for your answers. Out of fear that it will spread and lack of experience and knowledge in repairs i have decided to send it back and spend the money on some more film, as i plan on selling my bessa some time in the next few months.

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