amaynard Posted March 13, 2007 Share #1 Posted March 13, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) Seeking advice: I've just purchased a 90mm tele-elmarit circa 1974 on Ebay. The lens body is in incredible condition - it looks unused. However, shining a bright light through the glass indicates some clouding/fogging. This appears as a slight patterning on inner elements towards the front and back of the lens under strong illumination. The only reference I have is a fourth gen. 35 mm summicron, which looks as clear as day on the torch-test. I know that the tele-elmarit is prone to fogging/etching of the rear element, and am paranoid that I have bought a dodgy lens. However, the lens looks fine under normal light, and I wonder whether what I am seeing is within the bounds of what is to be expected of a lens of this age. The comparisons I've been able to run against the 35 mm 'cron look OK (see below - and sincere apologies for posting M8 images here - but it is the lens I'm interested in, not the camera ) - but the subjects I've had to hand so far are hardly revealing. So, have I been duped, should I dump the lens, is this likely to be something that servicing can deal with, or should I just use it and accept a possible reduction in quality?? Any advice would be more than welcome Example 1: 35mm Summicron, ~f/5.6 Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Example 2: 90mm Tele-elmarit, ~f/11 Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Example 2: 90mm Tele-elmarit, ~f/11 ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/18643-90mm-tele-elmarit-and-element-etchingfogging/?do=findComment&comment=198882'>More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted March 13, 2007 Posted March 13, 2007 Hi amaynard, Take a look here 90mm tele-elmarit and element etching/fogging. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
telewatt Posted March 13, 2007 Share #2 Posted March 13, 2007 the two pictures are looking o.k. ... ...if you don't put a strong light trought your lens.. ..I do pictures with older lenses and with the new ASPH. lenses....the new one are great but the old one are great too, you have to handle the "Problems"..with Photoshop to get more contrast is not the problem... ..you get a cheap lens and it looks sharp... regards, Jan there are fantastic pictures are made by well known Photographer with the older lenses and you would not talk about it.....with the 60th to now lenses from Leitz/Leica you have good performer lenses. P.S. sorry for my bad english... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
amaynard Posted March 13, 2007 Author Share #3 Posted March 13, 2007 Thanks Jan, and the English is great. This makes me feel better, and you're right - the lens may not be perfect, but Photoshop is a big help. I would be interested to know how much improvement (if any) having the lens serviced would make. Cheers, Andrew Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
telewatt Posted March 13, 2007 Share #4 Posted March 13, 2007 this is a Picture I took with my old Super-Angulon 3,4/21mm. (1965) It has a little foggy too... but I do pictures and don't think about it... Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! regards, Jan Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! regards, Jan ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/18643-90mm-tele-elmarit-and-element-etchingfogging/?do=findComment&comment=198907'>More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted March 13, 2007 Share #5 Posted March 13, 2007 Compliments to You... and my beloved SA 21 3,4 deserves some praise too... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gberger Posted March 13, 2007 Share #6 Posted March 13, 2007 Just use the hood and don't point the lens too near the sun. It does have a tendency to flare without the hood. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
peter_n Posted March 14, 2007 Share #7 Posted March 14, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) Andrew assuming it's a "thin" Tele-Elmarit it sounds like it has TE disease which is an etching that affects the rear elements which are a cemented pair. It apparently can't be fixed. I would return it unless you bought it on the understanding that the lens had less than totally clear glass. What happens if you want to sell it down the road? You're probably looking at a loss (that is if you can sell it). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
amaynard Posted March 14, 2007 Author Share #8 Posted March 14, 2007 Andrew assuming it's a "thin" Tele-Elmarit it sounds like it has TE disease which is an etching that affects the rear elements which are a cemented pair. It apparently can't be fixed. ... Do you know how visible TE disease is to the eye? This lens looks clear when looking through it - the apparent fogging is just visible when shining a bright light through. Andrew Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
peter_n Posted March 15, 2007 Share #9 Posted March 15, 2007 Indeed. Some do need careful inspection with a penlight. There are many threads on photo.net about this issue and it's progression and some include photographs. Regardless of whether the rear elements are exhibiting etching or not, given the reputation of a small percentage of lenses of the vintage of yours, I would think it prudent to return the lens, period. I personally do not buy lenses to sell, but to keep, and you probably do the same. But you never know... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
telewatt Posted March 15, 2007 Share #10 Posted March 15, 2007 Peter, you are right..the most interesting is the price you have payed...in the pictures you will not see the "big" difference...they mostly look the same... ... I use a lot of the older lenses in professional use, and I like them for the "fingerprint".. the new ASPH. lenses are top for unsing wide open, but at 8 or 11 the older win the game.. regards, Jan Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
amaynard Posted March 15, 2007 Author Share #11 Posted March 15, 2007 Indeed. Some do need careful inspection with a penlight. There are many threads on photo.net about this issue and it's progression and some include photographs. Regardless of whether the rear elements are exhibiting etching or not, given the reputation of a small percentage of lenses of the vintage of yours, I would think it prudent to return the lens, period. I personally do not buy lenses to sell, but to keep, and you probably do the same. But you never know... Thanks for the pointer towards photo.net, Peter. As the lens didn't cost a great deal and I like the pictures it is producing, I will probably stick with it - even if it is a little compromised. Cheers, Andrew Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
peter_n Posted March 16, 2007 Share #12 Posted March 16, 2007 I understand Andrew. I like mine too, and the pictures it produces. I also us an APO 90/2 ASPH and to be honest I prefer the images I get from from the TE. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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