Strange marks on a lens

[chikne]

Hello all,

I just wanted some advice from some people.

A lens that I have received from ebay seems fine at first glance, but by breathing on the rear element it reveals some sort of coating marks which won't go away. I tried wiping with cleaning fluid which contains isopropyl alcohol but the marks remain.

The strange thing is that the marks can only be seen when breathing on the lens.

The seller has offered to have the lens returned to him but I'm just not sure if I'll be able to find a better lens, they all seem to have some kind of issues....

The lens is a 35mm nikkor.

What would you do?

 

[Pioneer]

Take a picture and see if you can see anything. If so then return it. If not, keep it and enjoy it.

 

[Phil_F_NM]

It's probably just a bit of coating imperfection. It shouldn't affect the image drawing ability of the lens.


Phil Forrest

 

[mfogiel]

At times "natural" coating appears on surfaces of old lenses. This is nothing to be concerned with. When buying an old lens, there are other factors that are far more important:
- fungus inside the lens ( spiderweb like strucrures)
- lens decentering, if the lens has been disassembled by someone
- scratches on the back element
- scratches on the front element
- dust inside the lens
- oil on the aperture blades
- tight or uneven lens movement when focusing
If the lens is OK on the basic requirements, then there is nothing to worry about.

 

[chikne]

At times "natural" coating appears on surfaces of old lenses. This is nothing to be concerned with. When buying an old lens, there are other factors that are far more important:
- fungus inside the lens ( spiderweb like strucrures)
- lens decentering, if the lens has been disassembled by someone
- scratches on the back element
- scratches on the front element
- dust inside the lens
- oil on the aperture blades
- tight or uneven lens movement when focusing
If the lens is OK on the basic requirements, then there is nothing to worry about.

Indeed, except for the marks that I have explained, the lens is as good as new, even the focusing is well dampened and not loose like on the previous lens that was sent back.

Still I had in mind that anything that would show marks on the coating was a no go, but according to all who have commented it's not to be concerned about.

 

[farlymac]

Coating problems are not as bad as scratches and fungus etching. Highly unlikely you will notice anything in the photos.

PF

 

[Boris Stupak]

Don't breathe on the lens. Find something else to concern you.

 

[chikne]

Don't breathe on the lens. Find something else to concern you.

Same for you since you have nothing to contribute 😱