subtlelikeatrex
Member
Hi folks. Can someone help identify what these spots are in my enlarger lens? It doesn't look like fungus.
For context:
I bought this 80mm El-Nikkor 5.6 lens on ebay to print from my 6x4.5 and 6x6 120mm negatives. I just received it in the mail. First thing I did was hold it up to the light and this is what I see:
Lots of little speckled spots (dust maybe?) and a pronounced swirl mark that appears to be a scratch (or a "cleaning mark" if you're a seller).
This is all internal too...closer to the rear element.
The listing for this lens said it was "NOS" New Old Stock. I messaged the seller before buying, just to be on the safe side, and they replied saying the lens was "in excellent condition. [...]no fungus or haze."
Should I return this lens? Is that dust or a lens coating coming apart? It looks like someone opened the lens up and tried to clean an internal portion of glass and scratched it (which...why would they do that if it was NOS?).
My gut says yes, return it... but I thought I'd ask here.
I haven't attempted to make any prints with it yet because I am still figuring out how to print in my newly set-up darkroom.
If it matters, I'm attaching it to a Super Chromega C Dichroic enlarger but will only be making B&W prints. I am using Ilford chemistry for paper developing.
Thanks for the help!
José

For context:
I bought this 80mm El-Nikkor 5.6 lens on ebay to print from my 6x4.5 and 6x6 120mm negatives. I just received it in the mail. First thing I did was hold it up to the light and this is what I see:
Lots of little speckled spots (dust maybe?) and a pronounced swirl mark that appears to be a scratch (or a "cleaning mark" if you're a seller).
This is all internal too...closer to the rear element.
The listing for this lens said it was "NOS" New Old Stock. I messaged the seller before buying, just to be on the safe side, and they replied saying the lens was "in excellent condition. [...]no fungus or haze."
Should I return this lens? Is that dust or a lens coating coming apart? It looks like someone opened the lens up and tried to clean an internal portion of glass and scratched it (which...why would they do that if it was NOS?).
My gut says yes, return it... but I thought I'd ask here.
I haven't attempted to make any prints with it yet because I am still figuring out how to print in my newly set-up darkroom.
If it matters, I'm attaching it to a Super Chromega C Dichroic enlarger but will only be making B&W prints. I am using Ilford chemistry for paper developing.
Thanks for the help!
José

