Veiling Flare with Alpa Kern Macro Switar 1:1,9/50mm

[_sgb_]

I have found some old RFF posts in 2008 that some members had some work done by Radu Lesaru of 3R Cameras and dealt with Alpa lenses and cameras?

http://www.3rcamera.com/lenses_clasic.htm

Has anyone had some CLA or repair work done by him this year? Cos the post was 2008, I don't know if this repair service is still around.

I would prefer someone who has experience dealing with Alpas or specifically the Kern-macro-switar 1.9

 

[splitimageview]

Yes I have sent gear to Radu. He's reliable and good. He has some gear of mine now actually.

 

[_sgb_]

Cool thanks mate!

I'll email Radu and see if he takes repair service mailed-in all the way from HK!

 

[_sgb_]

Perks of having a Dr's certificate for the whole day, I took the Switar out again but this time leaving the UV filter at home. The following are SOOC without adding any flavours. The weather today in Hong Kong was pretty dismal, overcast very grey skies so lighting isn't great.

1)

L1000411 by Billy W, on Flickr

2)

L1000416 by Billy W, on Flickr

3)

L1000419 by Billy W, on Flickr

So what do you guys think? Can you still see a bit of veiling flare?

 

[splitimageview]

I don't see anything like the first pics.

They look reasonably contrasty even though the light was not optimal at that time.

 

[agfa100]

I think they look fine, I just find it hard to believe that the filter was the cause. But if I was so smart I would be rich.....🙂 🙂

wbill

 

[brbo]

Perks of having a Dr's certificate for the whole day, I took the Switar out again but this time leaving the UV filter at home.

Why?!

Wouldn't taking the same picture with and without filter give you a straight answer if the veiling comes from filter?

 

[_sgb_]

I don't see anything like the first pics.

They look reasonably contrasty even though the light was not optimal at that time.

I think they look fine, I just find it hard to believe that the filter was the cause. But if I was so smart I would be rich.....🙂 🙂

wbill

Thanks guys! I needed that 2nd or 3rd set of eyes to tell. May be it is psychological thing cos I think the veiling flare is still there just less pronounced.

Why?!

Wouldn't taking the same picture with and without filter give you a straight answer if the veiling comes from filter?

You are absolutely right! I don't know why I made a concious decision of taking the filter off and leaving at home ....maybe this is called "stupidity" lol

Will try some filter-ON and filter-off this weekend

 

[_sgb_]

Better natural light today in HK but tbh I don't think there is much improvement with the filter OFF and filter ON.

I tried to torture test the lens be shooting into the light. I also tried to keep the shutter speed between filter ON and filter OFF the same.

What I noticed was that the veiling flare generally occurs if I allow the brightest parts of the photo to overexposed but if I keep the brights, not much flare occurs. (See Photo 10)

1) Filter ON, Hood OFF

L1000430.jpg by Billy W, on Flickr

2) Filter OFF, Hood OFF

L1000431.jpg by Billy W, on Flickr

3) Filter ON, hood ON

L1000432.jpg by Billy W, on Flickr

4) Filter OFF, hood ON

L1000433.jpg by Billy W, on Flickr

5) Filter ON, hood ON

L1000435.jpg by Billy W, on Flickr

6) Filter OFF, hood ON

L1000436.jpg by Billy W, on Flickr

7)Filter ON, hood ON

L1000443.jpg by Billy W, on Flickr

8) Filter OFF, hood ON

L1000446.jpg by Billy W, on Flickr

9) Under general shooting condition with filter ON and sunlight coming from the left. A slight veiling flare just above the left hand side hedge

L1000427.jpg by Billy W, on Flickr

10) Exposing for the bright parts. (Filter ON, hood ON)

L1000442.jpg by Billy W, on Flickr

So what do you guys think? Still worth the effort for a CLA? Or just shoot knowing the shortcomings of this particular macro-switar?😱

Many thanks

PS. Mods, please let me know if the linked photos are too big and I will re-link them with a smaller pic.

 

[mcfingon]

I'd say shoot some more with hood on and filter off to get a larger amount of pics before going off for a CLA. The shots look very good to me. Use a lens cap when not shooting to keep crap off the lens front element.

 

[_sgb_]

I'd say shoot some more with hood on and filter off to get a larger amount of pics before going off for a CLA. The shots look very good to me. Use a lens cap when not shooting to keep crap off the lens front element.

Thanks mate. Will shoot with the lens sans filter and gather more photos with this lens before deciding whether a CLA is worth the while.

 

[splitimageview]

I am not sure it needs a CLA, per se, but I do think it needs some work to reduce internal reflections.

Did you contact Radu and refer him to this thread?

 

[_sgb_]

I am not sure it needs a CLA, per se, but I do think it needs some work to reduce internal reflections.

Did you contact Radu and refer him to this thread?

I haven't emailed Radu yet...was planning to take some more photos to show him the behaviour of the lens under different lighting conditions.

How to reduce internal reflections when it arrives at the repair shop?