Lens coating on Schneider Super Angulon

[brianentz]

Just bought a lens on ebay out of Japan. Seller noted some of coating is coming off but added it would not affect performance. Now I’m looking at the item photo and worrying. At first I thought I was just seeing a light reflection in the photo. Is this a problem and can anything be done?

I have not taken possession yet.

 

[BrianShaw]

That’s quite ugly looking. You can do much better than that. It’s a common lens.

If you can’t get out of the deal, use a lens shade and maybe it will be okay. I really hope you paid a bargain basement price.

 

[ic-racer]

Nothing can be done. If the price is right use the heck out of it out in the field without being afraid of dust, rain, snow, bird droppings, etc.

 

[randyB]

I agree, that is not pretty but you might be surprised at how well it will preform. I once bought a 90 SA in very poor shape just for the shutter, missing coating on both front and back surfaces and on a whim I made a few exposures of the back yard. The camera/lens were in the shade so no direct sunlight on the lens, the images looked normal. I intentionally did not use a hood. I will, when it warms up some, compare it against my 90SA multicoated version. You won't know how bad it is until you actually expose a few sheets. If you use a proper hood and stay away from specular/bright light it could be quite useful.

 

[brianentz]

Ken Rockwell, in his review of this lens, said it was excellent and not to worry much about if it had coating or not if you're careful and especially shooting BW, which I am. So I am thinking that the loss of some of the coating might not be such a big deal. I think I will shoot with it and see how it goes.

Question: If it does ill affect image quality what would that look like?

 

[MarkS]

Photograph a back-lit scene at several different f/stops. Don't shade the front element from the sun. That's the toughest test I can think of, and you'll have used maybe four sheets of film.

 

[ic-racer]

Yes, higher levels of flare. But , since all the other surfaces are ok (yes?) it still likely will perform better than an uncoated lens or a lens with fungus.

 

[Ian Grant]

I have many pre \MC coated Super Angulons, Angulons, Xenats etc, in fact none are MC. That in itself is not an issue Schneider's coatings were excellent but I would be concerned about what caused that coating issue it is severe.

Unless the lens was extremely cheap I'd send it back for a refund.

Ian

 

[brianentz]

I think I will play around with it and if unhappy sell it discounted. Return shipping to Japan too much $$