Is this fungus in my Summilux? Help pls.

[alan.y]

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I bought a Summilux-R in outwardly and optically excellent condition, but when I shone a bright light through it last night I saw a wide patch of thin lines strewn loosely across one half of an interior element. I'm attaching a few photos, shot from opposite sides of the lens. Can anyone tell me if this looks like fungus? And how difficult and costly it may be to clean? Thank you.

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[pico]

Most likely it is not fungus. It could be something trapped during the original assembly process. Leica did not use real clean-room technique. It probably will not show up in photos except maybe, just maybe when there is a pinpoint backlight.

 

Anyone who examines his lenses properly will likely find some stuff inside.

[alan.y]

Thank you Pico. I'm not usually one to look at a lens like this (in fact I only discovered this stuff by accident), and I'm not really concerned about it from an optical standpoint, but am worried about its resale value. I just don't want to lose a lot of money because of it.

 

May I ask if you have any idea what it is if not fungus? I'm attaching some more, hopefully clearer photos. Don't have a macro lens right now unfortunately.

 

This an E60 from 1997. not that old.

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[k-hawinkler]

Why not have a CLA done?

[alan.y]

I'd like to have a CLA done. I just want to get a better idea of the problem and potential cost because I need make a decision about a return or partial refund, as the seller reported clean optics to me before my purchase.

[CalArts 99]

I believe it is fungus.... at least from my experience when I worked in a camera store in a region that had very high humidity; I've seen it a lot. Apparently what we see is not the fungus itself but the etchings in coatings that the fungus has left behind when it consumes the material on the lenses (oil, dirt, etc..) Those little dots in the lines of the excretions look exactly like the fungus damage that I have seen.

 

fyi, here's a detailed explanation of lens fungus: Lens Fungus

[pico]

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If it is fungus, removing it will not reduce its effect because the glass or coating has been compromised and inspection will show etching. It is entirely not cost effective to polish the effected lens.

 

It would be interesting if many here would examine their lenses properly using an approximate of dark-field microscopy. (Look it up or I can elucidate). There are likely artifacts in any lens that has been used often, and even some which have been in a glass covered display cases (gawd forbid).

[Jeff S]

Give DAG (Don Goldberg) a call and send him your pics. Or Sherry Krauter.

 

Jeff

[alan.y]

I have emailed Don and Sherry. Seems like they can't give me a quote just based on the photos.

 

Since the deadline for filing a claim is looming, I am wondering if I should take the lens straight to Leica in NJ and see what they can do. Does anyone know if they allow for walk-ins like that? (There's an exhibition I'd like to see at the Met so it wouldn't be a total waste of time.)

 

If it is fungus, removing it will not reduce its effect because the glass or coating has been compromised and inspection will show etching. It is entirely not cost effective to polish the effected lens.

Is this always the case, or sometimes the case? If the former then I'm a bit screwed.

 

Many thanks again for sharing your experiences everyone.

[pico]

[...] I am wondering if I should take the lens straight to Leica in NJ and see what they can do.

 

 

I write this with respect. Leica can do nothing to improve the lens with cleaning if is fungus or not. If it is fungus then removing its appearance has no effect on its performance and if there is glass etching it will still be observable after cleaning. Use the lens in confidence. You are good to go.

[k-hawinkler]

Some older lenses can be recoated at a reasonable price.

I have had done that for one of my lenses.

However that process is not available for modern coatings.

My suggestion, return your lens for a refund and try to buy a good one.

[christoph_d]

Like k-hawinkler I would return the lens.

 

Fungus is rumored to be infective (and you don't want any of your other gear to get fungus), is very difficult to get rid off, and can leave marks that are between impossible and difficult to remove. Why take the risk?

 

Regards

 

C.

[250swb]

It also looks like fungus to me. The lens can be cleaned and made to look better, but it won't remove the surface damage. On the up side just using the lens helps as UV light will kill the fungus, leaving it with the aperture wide open on a windowsill is ideal. The lens resolution won't be affected by the current damage and I'd guess there will only be a miniscule drop in contrast, if any.

 

Steve

[pgk]

On the up side just using the lens helps as UV light will kill the fungus, leaving it with the aperture wide open on a windowsill is ideal.

Out of interest I jbought a Leica lens (V.4 35mm Summicron) very cheaply as it had seperation of the rear doublet. To cut a long story short I have had this re-cemented using UV cured cement and the comment which came back from the cementer was interesting "During setting up and curing we found 1 or both lenses don’t transfer UV very well."! I am told that this is because of the glass (lanthanum?) types used in the lens at that time.

 

On the subject of fungus, as everyone has said, it needs to be stopped and then cleaned out but any etching from the fungus will be permanent. If it is still active fungus then it should be dealt with as soon as possible and then stored in as dry as possible conditions. On the positive side the only likely effect of minor etching will be marginally enhanced flare which you are unlikely to notice in all but a few exceptional conditions. However if the value worries you then it will almost certainly devalue the lens relative to an unmarked one.