Slight Haze

**hjoseph7** · 05-22-2015, 12:52 PM

I sometimes see listing for used lenses that state "Slight Haze". What do they mean by slight haze ? do they mean on the outside or inside of the lens ? and does this affect picture quality ?

**Kerrowdown** · 05-22-2015, 01:09 PM

Originally posted by hjoseph7

What do they mean by slight haze

I means that the lens is not optically perfect and that the glass elements are not clear... usually inside the lens and yes it may well alter the image quality, but this would be reflected in the cheaper price.

waterfall · 05-22-2015, 01:16 PM

It is analogous to "slightly pregnant." Either the lens is hazy or not. Degrees of optical occlusion have no standard.

**jatrax** · 05-22-2015, 01:19 PM

Could be outside or inside but usually inside.

Haze could be oil, deposited moisture, element separation or something else.

Always means the lens is not perfect but how much it affects image quality varies.

**hjoseph7** · 05-22-2015, 01:21 PM

Thank you...

**ramseybuckeye** · 05-22-2015, 04:02 PM - **1 Like**

It means "stay away" to me.

Mothballs · 05-22-2015, 04:18 PM

If it's an older prime (f my phone) it means a gamble that you can clean it.

If it's a newer prime, it means a $150 CLA charge.

If it's a zoom, unless it's amazingly expensive and listed very cheap, it means run.

I just had my macro in because of oil haze. Totally messed with The contrast. $100 CLA, and he fixed the not quite round aperture while he was in there. Seeing that the lens was free, and worth around $120 used, i consider this acceptable.

Last edited by Mothballs; 05-22-2015 at 04:23 PM.

05-22-2015, 12:52 PM	#1
hjoseph7 Site Supporter Join Date: May 2014 Location: Minnesota Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,047	Slight Haze I sometimes see listing for used lenses that state "Slight Haze". What do they mean by slight haze ? do they mean on the outside or inside of the lens ? and does this affect picture quality ?

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
slight movement between camera and lens	rednax	Troubleshooting and Beginner Help	2	04-24-2015 01:12 PM
DA* 300mm - slight rattle - is that normal?	HenrikDK	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	8	07-31-2014 07:16 AM
Embracing slight over exposure?	6BQ5	Photographic Technique	13	12-16-2013 09:58 PM
Straight OOC JPEGs, 100% crop (plus comparison with slight OOF)	Cannikin	Pentax K-3 & K-3 II	7	12-08-2013 05:07 AM
People Slight Grimace, Slight Smile	jzietman	Photo Critique	11	04-20-2010 11:52 AM

05-22-2015, 01:09 PM	#2
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,835	Originally posted by hjoseph7 What do they mean by slight haze I means that the lens is not optically perfect and that the glass elements are not clear... usually inside the lens and yes it may well alter the image quality, but this would be reflected in the cheaper price.

05-22-2015, 01:16 PM	#3
waterfall Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Northern Minnesota Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,812	It is analogous to "slightly pregnant." Either the lens is hazy or not. Degrees of optical occlusion have no standard.

05-22-2015, 01:19 PM	#4
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	Could be outside or inside but usually inside. Haze could be oil, deposited moisture, element separation or something else. Always means the lens is not perfect but how much it affects image quality varies.

05-22-2015, 01:21 PM	#5
hjoseph7 Site Supporter Join Date: May 2014 Location: Minnesota Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,047 Original Poster	Thank you...

05-22-2015, 04:02 PM - 1 Like	#6
ramseybuckeye Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Hampstead, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 17,294	It means "stay away" to me.

05-22-2015, 04:18 PM	#7
Mothballs Senior Member Join Date: May 2015 Posts: 275	If it's an older prime (f my phone) it means a gamble that you can clean it. If it's a newer prime, it means a $150 CLA charge. If it's a zoom, unless it's amazingly expensive and listed very cheap, it means run. I just had my macro in because of oil haze. Totally messed with The contrast. $100 CLA, and he fixed the not quite round aperture while he was in there. Seeing that the lens was free, and worth around $120 used, i consider this acceptable. Last edited by Mothballs; 05-22-2015 at 04:23 PM.