taemo
eat sleep shoot
I'm interested on aquiring a 50mm 1.5 Sonnar and saw this Canon 50mm 1.5 LTM for sale.
The seller description is "a tiny scratch on the front element" however it does not look like a scratch to me.
Any idea what could it be and is it common with old Canon lenses?
The seller description is "a tiny scratch on the front element" however it does not look like a scratch to me.
Any idea what could it be and is it common with old Canon lenses?
Mackinaw
Think Different
It's not a scratch. Could be a flaw in the coating or the beginnings of fungus.
These type of flaws are not unusual in any lens that is 50+ years old. Time takes its toll.
Jim B.
These type of flaws are not unusual in any lens that is 50+ years old. Time takes its toll.
Jim B.
Roger Hicks
Veteran
Looks like separation or fungus (more like the latter, though it's hard to tell from the photo). I wouldn't touch it.
Cheers,
R.
Cheers,
R.
FrankS
Registered User
Can separation happen in the middle of 2 lens elements?
Or must it start from an edge?
I really don't know, just asking.
Or must it start from an edge?
I really don't know, just asking.
Roger Hicks
Veteran
johannielscom
Snorting silver salts
Coating discoloration.
Likely that lens has been stored with a filter attached for a long time.
The Canon lenses always had very little clearance between center of front lens element and filter. If you leave a filter on for a very long time and fungus starts to build up, the most 'cozy' spot for it is the middle of the front element.
I had a 1.2/50mm with a coating spot too and once I mounted a filter, I could see it was dead center.
It might impact contrast a bit, but not too much. It ain't pretty either though...
Likely that lens has been stored with a filter attached for a long time.
The Canon lenses always had very little clearance between center of front lens element and filter. If you leave a filter on for a very long time and fungus starts to build up, the most 'cozy' spot for it is the middle of the front element.
I had a 1.2/50mm with a coating spot too and once I mounted a filter, I could see it was dead center.
It might impact contrast a bit, but not too much. It ain't pretty either though...
taemo
eat sleep shoot
thanks all for sharing your expertise regarding this lens.
so this means that it might just be a fault on the lens element (separation/discoloration) BUT it might lead to fungus down the road?
so this means that it might just be a fault on the lens element (separation/discoloration) BUT it might lead to fungus down the road?
farlymac
PF McFarland
It's on an external surface if it's what Johan suggests. The only things that leads to fungus is moisture, and darkness. Use it regularly, and you shouldn't have a problem with it.
PF
PF
xayraa33
rangefinder user and fancier
It can be separation if the lens has had a good rap on its centre front.
That multi colour oil-on- water looking blotch looks to be separation from a bad hit.
That multi colour oil-on- water looking blotch looks to be separation from a bad hit.
taemo
eat sleep shoot
thanks everyone, i might give it a try, take some test shots and see if I can get a bargain price on it.
goamules
Well-known
Checking ebay, I see these sell for half or less what they sold for 6 or 8 years ago. It probably already is a bargain price.
BLKRCAT
75% Film
I wouldnt do it. Buying "fixer upper" gear never works for me.
You can ask my rigid summicron I bought in a similar state and had the front element overhauled by focal point. After that talk to my wallet.
My wallet and camera gear don't like each other so much...
You can ask my rigid summicron I bought in a similar state and had the front element overhauled by focal point. After that talk to my wallet.
My wallet and camera gear don't like each other so much...
xayraa33
rangefinder user and fancier
It probably is a good photo making lens for a low price.
The Canon/Serenar 50mm f1.5 is one of my favourite lenses, although I found out that the Nikkor 50mm f1.4 is a little sharper at close to full bore, regardless of the occasional veiling flare wide open.
The Canon/Serenar 50mm f1.5 is one of my favourite lenses, although I found out that the Nikkor 50mm f1.4 is a little sharper at close to full bore, regardless of the occasional veiling flare wide open.
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iphoenix
Well-known
My Canon 50/1.5 s/no. 24714's front element centre is at least 2mm from the Canon UV filter attached to it. On that basis I don't think a filter (if Canon) is the problem.
The picture of the problem seems to me to be "blooming" between the lens elements, which may get worse but if you use a hood, shouldn't effect the pictures.
David
The picture of the problem seems to me to be "blooming" between the lens elements, which may get worse but if you use a hood, shouldn't effect the pictures.
David