Small fiber inside of enlarging lens

punkzter · Mar 15, 2021

Sorry, this is probably an annoying question. I just received an enlarging lens today. I was checking it out and noticed that it has a small fiber/hair inside the lens. It's inside the rear element.

Here is a picture:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/bh2wNbxXzUkJyD7Q8

Is this anything to be concerned with?

I'm 99% sure it's not fungus. My hunch was no, but the lens wasn't cheap, so I just want to make sure.

punkzter · Mar 15, 2021

If it makes any difference, this lens will be used for camera scans of negatives. So the rear element faces the sensor of the camera

Ian Grant · Mar 16, 2021

Usually the rear elements are easy to unscrew on most enlarger lenses, the image isn't clear but it's likely between the rear cell and the aperture blades not inside the rear cell itself so easy to blow out.

Ian

Bikerider · Mar 16, 2021

I would not worry. I would be annoyed that it was sold like this but it isn't something I would start the 3rd world war over.. For all practical purposes it will not make one jot of difference to the performance of the lens as it is on the very edge of the lens. Try it and see . It will be so far out of focus you will net even see any evidence of it being there.

Down Under · Mar 16, 2021

Or is it a fungus thread...

punkzter · Mar 16, 2021

Well, that's a possibility. But I like to think I've gotten pretty good at identifying fungus. I think it's a small fiber, not fungus

removedacct1 · Mar 16, 2021

punkzter said:
Is this anything to be concerned with?

nope. the lens will function as it should.

punkzter · Mar 16, 2021

Thanks all! Just an update. I spoke with a rep from Rodenstock and they said that I should just unscrew the rear element. So, I did that, and easily puffed out the fiber. It definitely wasn't fungus. So it was that simple.

Small fiber inside of enlarging lens

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