Success rate for cleaning haze on Canon 50/1.8?

[lbenac]

Hello,

I just purchased a Canon 50/1.8 Black/chrome from KEH. The lens is BNG and fankly the glass and cosmetics are great except...there is haze in one of the internal element.
I requested a RMA number or a price discount to have it cleaned, as according to their definition BGN should not have haze.
That said lately these puppies are difficult to come around and the rest of the lens is in great condition.
Should I even tried to have it clean or it is too dicey..provided of course that KEH get back to me with a return Number otherwise it is a moot point I guess.

Cheers,

Luc

 

[PMCC]

Search for the thread about DIY cleaning of Canon LTM lenses, that shows how to do it. It doesn't look too difficult if you are handy and have the right tools. But I'm not and I don't, and am too much of a wuss to take lenses apart, so I asked an RFF friend who was kind enough to do the job for me. Removing the haze was not a problem, and the lens is now bright, clean and clear. Mine is a chrome 50/1.8 -- nice lens, does not take a back seat to a Summicron of comparable vintage.

Assuming it's just simple haze, I think this would be a simple, low risk job for a professional camera tech. I'm sure KEH could do it.

 

[lbenac]

You and me both. I would probably screw it up once, then get the general idea but too late. SO factor in buying the spanners and I am probably better off with a CLA...
This is quite encouraging info.

Cheers,

Luc

 

[mooge]

whereabouts in Canada are you? I 've done this before, and could fix it for you.

 

[mooge]

... but it is actually really simple to do yourself. you can make a spanner out of a pair of pliers with the tips ground down. you can get cheap pliers at the dollar store...

there's a ring, an element, and a group you'll need to undo. then you're right at the aperture blades, very likley where your lens has fogged up. you can clean it up with your breath and a microfiber cloth, lighterfluid if it's stubborn.
it's pretty easy.

 

[lbenac]

Hello dragunov,

Thanks for your replies. Emboldened by your statement, I made a spanner out of small scissors and took the lens apart.
No way to clean the haze, it is inside the first lens from the back in the rear element that is sealed with two lenses. Short of unsealing that, there is no way to clean it.

Hopefully it is back to KEH then...

Cheers,

Luc

 

[mooge]

good luck!

 

[raid]

I have such a lens with haze too. I have no clue how to clean it.

 

[lbenac]

I have such a lens with haze too. I have no clue how to clean it.

Hello Raid,

I did not really took the time to try it out as I was so disappointed and was shooting MF this week-end anyway.
I am assuming that this is a mess on contrast and such even in B&W?

There is quite a bit of haze. You do not see it until you open the diaphragm and look at a light source but it looks really thick to me.

Cheers,

Luc

 

[Joe AC]

I just cleaned one that I bought off of ebay that was supposed to be fungus and haze free. As it turned out the seller ment that he was throwing it in at no extra charge. anyway....I took it apart and and was able to clean it with lighter fluid but you can still see a faint haze type mark that wouldn't come off.

 

[Bingley]

I can describe how to clean haze from a Canon 50/1.8 in just two words: Sherry Krauter. She did a great job on mine.🙂

 

[Sonnar Brian]

I would not have opened the lens if it was under warranty or within the return period.

Return it to KEH and have them either clean the haze off or refund your money. The black lenses often get coating damage and etched glass. If it simple haze, it will come off. Over half of the Black Canon lenses I have handled have damage to the coating, cement, or glass. KEH runs a good repair department, and should be able to handle simple disassembly and cleaning.

 

[lbenac]

Well I just called KEH and receive authorization to return the lens from them.

Thanks all.

Luc

 

[tennis-joe]

I took a Nikkor 50f2.0 LTm To Professional Camera Repair that had haze behind the back element and both the owner and I were pleasantly suprised how it turned out. Give Mike Hakim a call if he thinks he can clean it. He does beautiful work and quickly.
Joe
Professional Camera RepairProfessional Camera Repairs=9673944267019735503

Place page

4410 Richmond Avenue
Houston, TX 77027
(713) 621-3627

 

[ellisson]

I have bought several KEH "BGN" lenses at very good prices and most have been much better than I had expected - on par with other sellers' excellent ratings. On the one occasion that a return was necessary (for a nikon rf with faded RF patch), the process was easy and painless. I'm not surprised they've worked with OP to make things right.