Separation or haze - that's the question

[Walter Ulreich]

for a little project of mine I have the choice of two fitting lenses, one with "very faint cleaning mark, slight separation on rear" and the other "some haze inside rear glueded group". So which sample does affect photo quality more and which would be easier to clear/repair?

With many thanks for your help in advance,
Walter

 

[kzphoto]

Sounds like both are going to need serious work, if the rear group is glued. I had a Rollei that needed some de-cementing and it isn't cheap.

 

[Walter Ulreich]

thought the same, but separation is probably easier to clean without much affect to quality. There is a third option with only scratched front lens, I could buy this one and the one with the haze and change front elements. But that doubles the prize ;-)

 

[Rayt]

Some haze can't be cleaned off. If it is in the cemented group then it may be decementing. You need to have it looked at first. Slight cleaning marks and minor edge separation shouldn't affect image quality but you should see for yourself just how bad it is.

 

[Walter Ulreich]

is separation something, that can be cleaned off?

 

[Walter Ulreich]

Seems the best solution is to go for front element swap. I hope that is easier.

Many thanks for your help and suggestions.

 

[Rayt]

Is it a vintage Leica lens? If so then swapping lens elements may not work because they are not standardized but are matched to each lens.

 

[Walter Ulreich]

No early Hasselblad lenses from Carl Zeiss, hope it works there.

 

[Rayt]

Yes it should work. Good luck and have fun.

 

[Walter Ulreich]

Many thanks to all, great help 🙂))))

 

[ferider]

Just buy the lens with the scratch(es) on the front and don't worry about changing the front element.

Haze is much worse than scratches wrt final results. Replacing the front mechanically might be trivial, but you will have to recollimate the lens afterwards.