I'm considering a lens that is on Ebay (yeah, I know) which has no marks on the glass, but is somewhat hazy. No fungus, just not clear. The seller thinks the owner was a heavy smoker, and that's what is all over the glass.
I have no problem opening lenses (it's a prime) and cleaning elements using standard methods, but, assuming he is correct, is this something that will likely come off?
Can cigarrette smoke chemically bond with the coatings, or require a cleaning with some kind of chemical that would also remove the coatings? This lens is from around 1990.
(note: The seller has a perfect rating an is offering a no-questions return policy.)
huh, depends on what the price you can get it for I think. you could ask the guy to just use some lens cleaner on the thing and get back to you after he tries that
I think it's more likely the haze is due to cemented internal elements delaminating (such as the haze that formed on many 35-70/2.8's, which is irreparable). I wouldn't touch it unless I was prepared to write off the entire investment.
When I was working at a gas station many years ago, a woman who lived in her car and came in about three times weeks ( and got like $2.00 of gas each time) was a smoker, big time smoker.
The car was filthy and the windows were caked with nicotine. We were a full station station, the owner at one time tried to clean the inside of her window for her to see out better. The cleaner (some like Windex) that we used to keep in little spray bottles wouldn't work.
I don't think the lens could be as bad, but if there's a change that nicotine is on the lens, look for another one.
soupcxan wrote:
I think it's more likely the haze is due to cemented internal elements delaminating (such as the haze that formed on many 35-70/2.8's, which is irreparable). .
Yeah, that's a good point, and quite possible.
What else typically causes heavy haze? I'm thinking moisture, without any spores around, but hmmm.....
monochrome wrote:
When I was working at a gas station many years ago, a woman who lived in her car and came in about three times weeks ( and got like $2.00 of gas each time) was a smoker, big time smoker.
The car was filthy and the windows were caked with nicotine. We were a full station station, the owner at one time tried to clean the inside of her window for her to see out better. The cleaner (some like Windex) that we used to keep in little spray bottles wouldn't work.
I don't think the lens could be as bad, but if there's a change that nicotine is on the lens, look for another one. ...Show more →
I think it is the tar and combustion products. Nicotine itself should clean off easily, what is left that is.
Judging from my gas fireplace and its glass (boron glass) front, combustion creates acids that will etch the glass. No way that it will ever be clear again.
