Hi guys.I check out a new leica lens today at a shop which i almost buy but hold back because i am still not sure whether is it ok.Its brand new So wanna ask opinion from all the experts here.The lens cosmetical condition is about 10 and the rear part of the lens looks fine to me.Overall its very good and i almost bought it but the front part of the lens which we normally put our filter over it seems to have a spot.The spot is on the lens so i tried to clean with a cloth but somehow it still stays there.The spot can only be seem from certain angle with the back cap close on the other end and have to examine carefully.And when u see directly under light its quite obvious to see a tiny spot there.I tried to feel it with my finger and its not a scratch or ding but i don't know what is it.Tried taking picture with it and i think its ok.And it does't look to be inside the lens too.Does any of the lens collector here encounter same problems before but feel that its normal?
Spot on leica lens or inside leica lens
- Thread starter Enzokoh
- Start date
Spot ?
Black spot or bubble ?
Which Lens is this ?
Black spot I suppose it a no no
But Bubble is fine
Bubble is GOOOD... But doubt they appear in newer lenses these days.
It could be dust and believe me, even lens fresh from the factory will have dust and hair particles in them. As long as there's moving parts, this is unavoidable. You can test the lens with an M8 to check for IQ or shine a torchlight through to see clearer.
gommy
Senior Member
On glass or barrel?
Black dust inside the lens may be due to aperture coating which common on even new Leica lenses. But from your description, I understand it to be on barrel where you mount filter. If it's on glass, I would not have done what you did with your finger to examine, in case you leave some mark on it. :nono:
If it is on barrel & minor, I think it's ok.
But if you want one perfect one, I supposed then it's not ok.
If you look hard enough, most even new lens may have some imperfection.
Black dust inside the lens may be due to aperture coating which common on even new Leica lenses. But from your description, I understand it to be on barrel where you mount filter. If it's on glass, I would not have done what you did with your finger to examine, in case you leave some mark on it. :nono:
If it is on barrel & minor, I think it's ok.
But if you want one perfect one, I supposed then it's not ok.
If you look hard enough, most even new lens may have some imperfection.
Why is bubble good ?? :dunno:
artspraken
New Member
Some general guidelines:
. Dust is acceptable. There is no lens with zero dust.
. Haze/fog is not okay. Haze affects lens performance.
. Singular scratches do not affect performance, BUT are likely to cause problems with resale on secondary market.
. Multiple scratches are not okay. Depend on extent and number, these affect performance.
. Spots really depends on size. Pinhead spots do not affect performance but if obvious may give you resale problems.
You do not have to send to schmidt, for lens cleaning you can visit the Old man at de camera consultant for a price. If you send to solms, you lens will be detained for months
When inspecting, use torchlight to shine through the lens and look from other side.
. Dust is acceptable. There is no lens with zero dust.
. Haze/fog is not okay. Haze affects lens performance.
. Singular scratches do not affect performance, BUT are likely to cause problems with resale on secondary market.
. Multiple scratches are not okay. Depend on extent and number, these affect performance.
. Spots really depends on size. Pinhead spots do not affect performance but if obvious may give you resale problems.
You do not have to send to schmidt, for lens cleaning you can visit the Old man at de camera consultant for a price. If you send to solms, you lens will be detained for months
When inspecting, use torchlight to shine through the lens and look from other side.
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artspraken
New Member
btw enzokoh, may i suggest you go peninsula and look at a few old used lenses through torchlight, and see how much dust there is. This will give you some perspective.
After inspecting old used lenses, go back and re-inspect that brand new lens.
Since you are new, I figure maybe you have mistaken a very clean sample of the new lens having a single speck of dust - as a "spot". If this is true, you are being overly perfectionist lah.
Go and see the used lenses, that gives you a better understanding of the standard to expect. Usually used lenses all have lots of dust showing when under a torchlight wan. Somemore, some dust particles are bigger than others, and some may appear magnified by the lens, and may appear as a "spot".
remember, got no lens don't have dust wan.
After inspecting old used lenses, go back and re-inspect that brand new lens.
Since you are new, I figure maybe you have mistaken a very clean sample of the new lens having a single speck of dust - as a "spot". If this is true, you are being overly perfectionist lah.
Go and see the used lenses, that gives you a better understanding of the standard to expect. Usually used lenses all have lots of dust showing when under a torchlight wan. Somemore, some dust particles are bigger than others, and some may appear magnified by the lens, and may appear as a "spot".
remember, got no lens don't have dust wan.
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artspraken
New Member
1. Dust inside a lens cannot be blown or wiped away. Yes, usually dust is present inside the lens. When we refer to dust, we are referring to dust being INSIDE the lens, not outside. aiyoh, if dust is outside, of course can easily wipe away lar. Again, I repeat. Got no lens without dust INSIDE wan. All lens got dust inside.
2. No need torchlight. Just point lens to ceiling lamp and look through the light. You will see ALOT of dust. Just say you interested in lens, and want to check condition.
2. No need torchlight. Just point lens to ceiling lamp and look through the light. You will see ALOT of dust. Just say you interested in lens, and want to check condition.
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Is the spot like a dried up watermark?
artspraken
New Member
dust inside lens cannot be DIY cleaned. need to pay visit to Legendary Old Man and ask him to CLA service. Need to open up lens and clean. Legendary Old Man got this very long wooden cotton bud, magic cleaning liquid and this spinning tabletop vice that hold the lens in place whilst he use his cleaning Leica certified gongfu...got service charge must pay hah. There are other shops with people that also got cleaning Leica certified gongfu, but I usually visit Legendary Old Man, coz his gongfu is very very power. can feel it wan. sometime his mood is good, you can limp kopi with him and he teach you gongfu also.
dust outside lens can use microfibre and wipe wipe lor.
dust outside lens can use microfibre and wipe wipe lor.
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Lens surface dirt marks can be cleaned off using a light soft lens cloth but make sure that all dirt/dust is first blown off and the lens cloth is clean without any trapped dirt as this will scratch the lens coating. Do not rub, use gentle long circular movements.
For more stubborn stains with oil traces including fingermarks you will need a liquid lens cleaner but used very sparingly. For a final good finish use an original animal skin chamois (available from chiifei). Use a clear filter to protect and minimise lens surface cleaning.
hookonclassic
Senior Member
Bobby, look like you really need some C R A S H course....:bsmilie:
artspraken
New Member
I dun think Zoomp was referring to any special gongfu when he talk abt M8.
I think Zoomp mean that M8 got LCD show preview of picture, so roughly you can zoom/magnify and immediately see the picture.
But hor, the M8/9 LCD only got 260k pixel quite lousy for pixel-peeping. If you really need pixel peeping, its better to bring a laptop and immediately pass SDcard into the laptop and pixel peep in the post processed pic there. Note that you only need to do this if the lens got some big time mark. Small pinhead size dust will not affect image wan...no need to check image if only got dust particle lar. wait the shopkeeper cough blood lol.
I'm sure all the ppl here will impart you their skill, but beware leica gongfu very easy to 走火入魔。 Bad for wallet and wife.
I think Zoomp mean that M8 got LCD show preview of picture, so roughly you can zoom/magnify and immediately see the picture.
But hor, the M8/9 LCD only got 260k pixel quite lousy for pixel-peeping. If you really need pixel peeping, its better to bring a laptop and immediately pass SDcard into the laptop and pixel peep in the post processed pic there. Note that you only need to do this if the lens got some big time mark. Small pinhead size dust will not affect image wan...no need to check image if only got dust particle lar. wait the shopkeeper cough blood lol.
I'm sure all the ppl here will impart you their skill, but beware leica gongfu very easy to 走火入魔。 Bad for wallet and wife.
wife-i want to buy chanel bag ley.
me-for what,so ex.
wife-you dont think i duno yr leica also very ex lor.
me-no lah,mine 2nd hand 1 cheap cheap only.
wife-dont think i stupid.i did a google about yr camera last night.
me-hmm,i buy camera can take nice picture of you and baby mah.
wife-pls lor u dun even know how to use.let alone take good pic of us.
me-staring blanking at her,nothing to say.
Guys,u tell me how to answer or find excuse for myself
.....
me-for what,so ex.
wife-you dont think i duno yr leica also very ex lor.
me-no lah,mine 2nd hand 1 cheap cheap only.
wife-dont think i stupid.i did a google about yr camera last night.
me-hmm,i buy camera can take nice picture of you and baby mah.
wife-pls lor u dun even know how to use.let alone take good pic of us.
me-staring blanking at her,nothing to say.
Guys,u tell me how to answer or find excuse for myself
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