Imperfections in the coating of old glass

[A miller]

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What are the negatives of having imperfections in the coating of old glass that are not visible to the naked unlearned eye?

[sblutter]

Print some up - if they print fine, that's all that matters unless you're gathering an audience around your computer

[A miller]

This is in the context of e just purchasing a 75m summilux and being told by Leica that there is some slight imperfections in the coating and having the ability to keep the lens and deal with it or return the lens for a full refund.

 

Just wondering whether this is par for the course for a 22 year old+ lens

[pgk]

If they are difficult to see I would not worry about them in the slightest. Coating damage might increase the lens's propensity to flare, but whether you will notice this on a fast 75/1.4 is highly unlikely I would say. I'd suggest that you simply keep it and enjoy it (or alternatively pm me with its location if you decide not to keep it as I'm after a 'user' copy myself;)!)

[philipus]

Hi Adam

 

Congrats on the 75 Summilux - seems to be an absolutely wonderful lens. I've considered it myself for indoor/darker surroundings film photography.

 

I also can't imagine that there would be a problem. As a bit of an extreme comparison, have a look at the front element of my 90 Elmarit-M which has a pretty deep mark that doesn't affect the images in the slightest.

 

Cheers

Philip

[A miller]

Thanks very much, Paul and Philip. I really appreciate your time and comments.

 

The coating looks ok to me so perhaps Leica has taken a close magnified look and is just hedging themselves as part of the scope of the CLA and 6 but coding that they will be doing. Since the dealer didnt identify the imperfections to me it caused me to pause. But since they have agreed to pay for the CLA and 6 bit coding (in order to bring the lens to the level of "in-sync" focusing adjustment that they represented and in exchange for me to have to wait 6 weeks), i am inclined to accept the imperfections. Your comments have helped me form my view, and i really appreciate it.

 

All the best,

Adam