Koni Omega 90mm Super Omegon Lens Damaged Coating

[DiogoD]

Hey guys! Whats up? I'm new to the forum so be nice
I recently bought, in Portugal, a Koni Omega that came with the 90mm lens. 2 days ago I decided to clean the rear element of the lens and at first I panicked since I thought I had scratched the lens The next day I took a better look and realized I had taken some of the coating, hence those marks that looked like scratches (pictured below). What bothers me is that I did everything right: I used the brush first, blew it a bit, and only then used a cleaned cloth free of any chemicals whatsoever. I am not sure why it happened but I am guessing that since it is not a new lens, the coating comes off easily...? I do have like 5 35mm lenses, mostly canon FD's or Zeiss-Ikons, which are also old, even older, and this had never happened to me...
Any thoughts? Thanks a lot!

 

[Dan Daniel]

Try other cleaners? Sometimes a film on a lens is from a material that doesn't get affected by typical cleaners. So try some alcohol, naphtha. If you are in a crazy mnood, try acetone but stay away from the edges and any painted surface.

Looks like it could just be a smear that wasn't removed.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Welcome to Photrio. As @Dan Daniel recommended, use optical lens cleaner from a photo supply seller and it when used following the direction should remove the residual marks. Use a soft cloth and do not rub hard.

 

[DiogoD]

Thanks for the replies. But here's the thing: if I clean the whole thing, the glass will become dull/cloudy, and not "shiny" as the front element is, hence why I think I am taking the coating off.

 

[Dan Fromm]

Thanks for the replies. But here's the thing: if I clean the whole thing, the glass will become dull/cloudy, and not "shiny" as the front element is, hence why I think I am taking the coating off.

Modern coatings -- that's what your lens has -- are quite hard. So hard that removing them is difficult. The lens' condition isn't your fault, it was that way when it was sent to you. Or, a big or, you smeared something on it. As suggested, try cleaning it again with a proper lens cleaning fluid and a clean lens cloth.

 

[koraks]

The stuff you've taken a patch off of might not be the coating. Due to offgassing of nearby materials, an oily coating can be left on smooth surfaces that is iridescent much like what you see here. You might in fact be cleaning the lens, as intended...

Like @Dan Fromm said, modern coatings can't be taken off with a soft cloth. You won't even scratch them. If this really is the coating that's coming off, it was already softened beyond recovery by the time you got it.

 

[DiogoD]

Thanks once more guys. I'm assuming it's the coating because the part that I "cleaned" (that missing patch) is not iridescent anymore, as the rest of the rear is, and once I clean it all, the whole rear element will become "dull", or non-iridescent, and that scares me.

 

[Dan Fromm]

Thanks once more guys. I'm assuming it's the coating because the part that I "cleaned" (that missing patch) is not iridescent anymore, as the rest of the rear is, and once I clean it all, the whole rear element will become "dull", or non-iridescent, and that scares me.

What did you use to clean it? Spell it out. Using only a cloth won't do the job.

 

[ags2mikon]

That looks like some type of oil smear or off gassing from bad camera case foam. I have been very happy with ROR lens cleaning fluid. ROR may or may not be available where you live.

 

[DiogoD]

What did you use to clean it? Spell it out. Using only a cloth won't do the job.

This might be an important update... apparently I've used her cloth, and not mine... (we almost started a fight now ) Anyways, she says the last time she used the eye glass cleaner (apparently is a proper one) on her cloth to clean her glasses was months ago. I mean, the cloth was more than dried and she has used on her glasses which are coated... Do you think it could have been that?

 

[RalphLambrecht]

Modern coatings -- that's what your lens has -- are quite hard. So hard that removing them is difficult. The lens' condition isn't your fault, it was that way when it was sent to you. Or, a big or, you smeared something on it. As suggested, try cleaning it again with a proper lens cleaning fluid and a clean lens cloth.

+1 and don't panic. It's unlikely that any of this will affect image quality, but I understand. Now, that you have seen it, you will always see it. As hard as it may be, try to ignore it!

 

[Dan Daniel]

This might be an important update... apparently I've used her cloth, and not mine... (we almost started a fight now ) Anyways, she says the last time she used the eye glass cleaner (apparently is a proper one) on her cloth to clean her glasses was months ago. I mean, the cloth was more than dried and she has used on her glasses which are coated... Do you think it could have been that?

Do yourself a favor. Go to the store and a get a small bottle of lens cleaner. And a couple of microfiber clothes. Clean your lens with the new items. And then put these items in a small bag and put it in a drawer and use it only for camera lenses. Eyeglass care and camera lens care are very different worlds.

Yes, using an old clothe used to clean eyeglasses will easily spread gunk on a lens.

Step back and start over. New techniques, new materials. It isn't difficult but it does take specific methods. For example-

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/photography/tips-and-solutions/how-to-clean-your-lens-and-filters

In the meantime, do you have any cotton swabs? And some alcohol? Dampen a swab (not dripping!) and wipe a small area of your lens. Then dry a bit with the dry side of the swab. Breathe on the glass and dry that up. See if it gets better.