Help identify lens spots

dynamist

Member

Joined

Dec 1, 2015

Messages

4

Format

35mm

• May 4, 2016

• #1

Hi, just got an old LTM Canon 50mm lens - and its back element have these weird spots on the inside surface; see the picture attached. I opened the back element, cleaned it with windex and filter, but the spots are still there. Can anyone help me identify what it is and how to get rid of it? Thanks in advance.

 

Attachments

• FullSizeRender 2.jpg

  767.1 KB · Views: 145

paul ron

Member

Joined

Jan 22, 2004

Messages

2,709

Location

NYC

Format

Medium Format

• May 4, 2016

• #2

fungus

 

Sirius Glass

Subscriber

Joined

Jan 18, 2007

Messages

50,417

Location

Southern California

Format

Multi Format

• May 4, 2016

• #3

fungus

 

02Pilot

Member

Joined

Feb 9, 2011

Messages

321

Format

Multi Format

• May 5, 2016

• #4

Could be fungus, but I don't think it's active if it is (was); if the glass is etched, there's not much to do about it. The pattern of the marks make me wonder if it isn't mechanical, i.e., overly-aggressive cleaning. Fungus usually starts around the edges, not randomly scattered around the center of the lens (though it's possible, of course). In any case, the scratches make it clear someone's been in there before you.

 

OP

OP

dynamist

Member

Joined

Dec 1, 2015

Messages

4

Format

35mm

• May 5, 2016

• #5

thanks guys, looks like the lens is FUBAR, though sold as "cosmetically 9.5/10" condition on ebay will try to get it returned.

btw, i the flaws in the lens become apparent only with the flash pic. I will be asking sellers in the future to send me pics of the lens using the flash.