Is this dust, debris or fungus on my enlarging lens?

Drewdoo · Mar 26, 2017

Hi all,
Picked up a leitz v35 for 'cheap' but finding out I didn't know enough to properly assess the enlarger before purchase...one of my recent discoveries was that the 40 mm wa-focotar has...something in the lens.

Can you take a peek at the pics and let me know what it is and if it can be cleaned?

Also, who can cla an enlarging lens??

Hatchetman · Mar 26, 2017

I definitely think it can be cleaned...will it be 100% I don't know. I bet you will not be able to tell the difference on the prints. I've had lenses way worse than that clean up pretty well. I think anyone that works on Leica lenses could do it. Probably anyone that works on lenses at all.

Helios 1984 · Mar 26, 2017

Doesn't look like fungus to me more like dust and debris.

Michael Guzzi · Mar 26, 2017

A Steinheil lens that came on my Valoy II looked nearly the same. It was all dust and debris, and a couple glass bubbles which looked like dust; all was fine with it.

Drewdoo · Mar 26, 2017

So, you guys think it's worth checking with Youxin for a cla?

~andi · Mar 26, 2017

Mine looked similar. Had it serviced by Leica. Came back like new including a free felt pouch. However, set me back 230 Euros... that was in 2006. It was worth it (how many EL lenses does one need anyways... so having those few in ship shape pays off for me). Still looks like new. Using it all the time. I'd do it again - actually I'm going to (just got a nice Focotar-2 50 with stuff in it).

Andi

tedr1 · Mar 26, 2017

If the dirt is on the exterior glass faces you can do CLA on an enlarging lens All it needs is a fine soft dry brush, or blower, to clean off the dirt, followed by a light cleaning with a cotton bud dipped in isopropyl alcohol from your local pharmacy. If the dirt is inside things are more complicated :-(

John Koehrer · Mar 26, 2017

It's simple if the glass isn't physically damaged.
I'd give Youxin Yee a shout.

Drewdoo · Mar 26, 2017

Thanks all! Reached out to Youxin and he confirmed he has worked on these before. Off she goes! I also nabbed a quasi-rare el nikkor 40 mm f4. Can't find out much about that enlarging lens but wanted a backup in case I ever need another enlarging lens that would preserve autofocus on the v35

Is this dust, debris or fungus on my enlarging lens?

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