Pentax 100mm 4.0 SMC Macro Lens Haze Cleaning

**W.j.christy** · 01-14-2016, 08:19 AM

I just won a Pentax 100mm 4.0 SMC Macro Lens from ebay for 45 bucks shipped. It was cheap since it has haze on the inside of the front element. I have been looking around the inter webs for videos on how to take this thing apart and clean it, and thought I would post here to see if anyone had an exploded parts diagram or advice on what to do.

From what I can gather, I need to remove the front name plate, under which there is a lock ring to take out and that should release the front element. Is that correct?

I also heard that I should use Methyl Alcohol for cleaning the haze if normal lens cleaning solution doesn't work. Any thoughts here as well?

Any help would be appreciated!

**marcusBMG** · 01-14-2016, 08:40 AM

I use a piece of suitable diameter plastic pipe with double sided sticky tape folded over one end to unscrew a nameplate. A rubber bung can also work. You may need to improvise a lens spanner for a locking ring. Acetone (nail varnish remover) to clean haze - stronger solvent than an alcohol.

More general info:
Basic techniques to repair lenses (and cameras)
(unfortunately pics lost)

**grahame** · 01-14-2016, 08:55 AM

100mm macro is known to have separation problem. the first two elements are glued together and many of them have cement (resin）decay after so many years.
If the haze you see is right under the front glass, it is very likely the separation and there is no easy to to clean it.

**W.j.christy** · 01-14-2016, 09:09 AM

well that sucks if separation is the issue. any ideas what to do about it? can I some how dissolve the adhesive and then reapply?

**grahame** · 01-14-2016, 09:15 AM

Originally posted by W.j.christy

any ideas what to do about it? can I some how dissolve the adhesive and then reapply?

You might, but it is very difficult to polish the lens, re-glue and align them accurately.

I have one same lens has same problem. If the haze is not too bad, you can still get wonderful pictures from it. Just forget the issue and use it. If the haze is very bad and affect the IQ obviously in your test, you might want to return the lens if you can.

**W.j.christy** · 01-14-2016, 09:33 AM

this is a pic of the front of the lens. thoughts? I may be able to cancel the order no harm no foul.

bassek · 01-14-2016, 09:47 AM

Most likely lens separation. However you still might get quite sharp pics with it.

Seb

chmance · 01-14-2016, 09:58 AM

I bought mine a year and a half ago and right away I noticed that the front element was sort of hazy. The seller told me that it wasn't fungus but the deterioration of the balsam/cement used to glue the first two front glass elements. Apparently this is a common problem to this macro. The good news is ... it does not seem to affect image quality as far as I can tell. In fact, it has produced some wonderful macro images under different lighting condition. One thing I have noticed though is its tendency to flare inordinately when used for landscape shots with the sun in the frame or close to the frame. Perhaps that is related to the haze. Nevertheless, I love this lens given its razor-sharp resolution, high colour contrast, and pleasing bokeh.

**jatrax** · 01-14-2016, 10:13 AM

I bought one in similar condition except the seller listed it as "like new"

And of course the seller promptly vanished from the face of the earth when I complained and ebay was no help at all for some reason.

Anyway, I sent it to Eric who was able to separate the elements, polish and reglue. It came back it great shape and I gifted it to my daughter in law. Based on Eric's description of the repair this is not something that I would suggest the average person attempt. The haze does not look too bad, so either use it as is or get a quote from a repair shop (or Eric). You might also check with @Dcshooter who is a member here, he does some repairs though I've no idea if he would do this.

chmance · 01-14-2016, 10:25 AM

Originally posted by jatrax

I bought one in similar condition except the seller listed it as "like new"

And of course the seller promptly vanished from the face of the earth when I complained and ebay was no help at all for some reason.

Anyway, I sent it to Eric who was able to separate the elements, polish and reglue. It came back it great shape and I gifted it to my daughter in law. Based on Eric's description of the repair this is not something that I would suggest the average person attempt. The haze does not look too bad, so either use it as is or get a quote from a repair shop (or Eric). You might also check with @Dcshooter who is a member here, he does some repairs though I've no idea if he would do this.

Hi Jatrax,

Do you recall how much you paid Eric to get yours repaired? I might consider sending mine since I love this macro very much.

Thanks.

Cheers!

Charlie

**W.j.christy** · 01-14-2016, 10:33 AM

Hi
Jatrax,

Could you send Eric's info and if you do recall, what the pricing was. If it's not much I may have him do the work.

Dipsoid · 01-14-2016, 11:35 AM

Originally posted by chmance

I bought mine a year and a half ago and right away I noticed that the front element was sort of hazy. The seller told me that it wasn't fungus but the deterioration of the balsam/cement used to glue the first two front glass elements. Apparently this is a common problem to this macro. The good news is ... it does not seem to affect image quality as far as I can tell. In fact, it has produced some wonderful macro images under different lighting condition. One thing I have noticed though is its tendency to flare inordinately when used for landscape shots with the sun in the frame or close to the frame. Perhaps that is related to the haze. Nevertheless, I love this lens given its razor-sharp resolution, high colour contrast, and pleasing bokeh.

I bought mine from a flea market, I was so excited to get it for 5$, quickly realized the front element is hazy.

The haze definitely effects image quality on mine, pictures are sharp but the contrast is wrecked, everything looks like I'm shooting into the sun unless stopped down quite a bit.

bertwert · 01-14-2016, 11:36 AM

Originally posted by chmance

Hi Jatrax,

Do you recall how much you paid Eric to get yours repaired? I might consider sending mine since I love this macro very much.

Thanks.

Cheers!

Charlie

Originally posted by W.j.christy

Hi
Jatrax,

Could you send Eric's info and if you do recall, what the pricing was. If it's not much I may have him do the work.

Home

**jatrax** · 01-14-2016, 11:55 AM

Originally posted by chmance

Do you recall how much you paid Eric to get yours repaired? I might consider sending mine since I love this macro very much.

Originally posted by W.j.christy

Could you send Eric's info and if you do recall, what the pricing was. If it's not much I may have him do the work.

Home
(Thank you Bertwert

)
I believe the cost was around $100 - 125. I remember thinking that with the cost of the repair, the cost of the lens and all the shipping I should have just bought a good one from KEH. The cost total was just about the same.
But you would have to ask Eric about an actual quote, my memory is fallible . He told me at the time he had to source the glue from Pentax and it took a month or so. Whether that would be true now or not I don't know.

chmance · 01-14-2016, 12:07 PM

Originally posted by jatrax

Home
(Thank you Bertwert

)
I believe the cost was around $100 - 125. I remember thinking that with the cost of the repair, the cost of the lens and all the shipping I should have just bought a good one from KEH. The cost total was just about the same.
But you would have to ask Eric about an actual quote, my memory is fallible . He told me at the time he had to source the glue from Pentax and it took a month or so. Whether that would be true now or not I don't know.

Thanks for the quick reply : )

01-14-2016, 08:19 AM	#1
W.j.christy Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Texas Photos: Albums Posts: 558	Pentax 100mm 4.0 SMC Macro Lens Haze Cleaning I just won a Pentax 100mm 4.0 SMC Macro Lens from ebay for 45 bucks shipped. It was cheap since it has haze on the inside of the front element. I have been looking around the inter webs for videos on how to take this thing apart and clean it, and thought I would post here to see if anyone had an exploded parts diagram or advice on what to do. From what I can gather, I need to remove the front name plate, under which there is a lock ring to take out and that should release the front element. Is that correct? I also heard that I should use Methyl Alcohol for cleaning the haze if normal lens cleaning solution doesn't work. Any thoughts here as well? Any help would be appreciated!

01-14-2016, 09:33 AM	#6
W.j.christy Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Texas Photos: Albums Posts: 558 Original Poster	this is a pic of the front of the lens. thoughts? I may be able to cancel the order no harm no foul. Attached Images

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01-14-2016, 08:40 AM	#2
marcusBMG Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: North Wales Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,869	I use a piece of suitable diameter plastic pipe with double sided sticky tape folded over one end to unscrew a nameplate. A rubber bung can also work. You may need to improvise a lens spanner for a locking ring. Acetone (nail varnish remover) to clean haze - stronger solvent than an alcohol. More general info: Basic techniques to repair lenses (and cameras) (unfortunately pics lost)

01-14-2016, 08:55 AM	#3
grahame Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2011 Photos: Albums Posts: 2,041	100mm macro is known to have separation problem. the first two elements are glued together and many of them have cement (resin）decay after so many years. If the haze you see is right under the front glass, it is very likely the separation and there is no easy to to clean it.

01-14-2016, 09:09 AM	#4
W.j.christy Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Texas Photos: Albums Posts: 558 Original Poster	well that sucks if separation is the issue. any ideas what to do about it? can I some how dissolve the adhesive and then reapply?

01-14-2016, 09:15 AM	#5
grahame Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2011 Photos: Albums Posts: 2,041	Originally posted by W.j.christy any ideas what to do about it? can I some how dissolve the adhesive and then reapply? You might, but it is very difficult to polish the lens, re-glue and align them accurately. I have one same lens has same problem. If the haze is not too bad, you can still get wonderful pictures from it. Just forget the issue and use it. If the haze is very bad and affect the IQ obviously in your test, you might want to return the lens if you can.

01-14-2016, 09:47 AM	#7
bassek Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2011 Photos: Gallery Posts: 706	Most likely lens separation. However you still might get quite sharp pics with it. Seb

01-14-2016, 09:58 AM	#8
chmance Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Vancouver Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 484	I bought mine a year and a half ago and right away I noticed that the front element was sort of hazy. The seller told me that it wasn't fungus but the deterioration of the balsam/cement used to glue the first two front glass elements. Apparently this is a common problem to this macro. The good news is ... it does not seem to affect image quality as far as I can tell. In fact, it has produced some wonderful macro images under different lighting condition. One thing I have noticed though is its tendency to flare inordinately when used for landscape shots with the sun in the frame or close to the frame. Perhaps that is related to the haze. Nevertheless, I love this lens given its razor-sharp resolution, high colour contrast, and pleasing bokeh.

01-14-2016, 10:13 AM	#9
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	I bought one in similar condition except the seller listed it as "like new" And of course the seller promptly vanished from the face of the earth when I complained and ebay was no help at all for some reason. Anyway, I sent it to Eric who was able to separate the elements, polish and reglue. It came back it great shape and I gifted it to my daughter in law. Based on Eric's description of the repair this is not something that I would suggest the average person attempt. The haze does not look too bad, so either use it as is or get a quote from a repair shop (or Eric). You might also check with @Dcshooter who is a member here, he does some repairs though I've no idea if he would do this.

01-14-2016, 10:25 AM	#10
chmance Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Vancouver Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 484	Originally posted by jatrax I bought one in similar condition except the seller listed it as "like new" And of course the seller promptly vanished from the face of the earth when I complained and ebay was no help at all for some reason. Anyway, I sent it to Eric who was able to separate the elements, polish and reglue. It came back it great shape and I gifted it to my daughter in law. Based on Eric's description of the repair this is not something that I would suggest the average person attempt. The haze does not look too bad, so either use it as is or get a quote from a repair shop (or Eric). You might also check with @Dcshooter who is a member here, he does some repairs though I've no idea if he would do this. Hi Jatrax, Do you recall how much you paid Eric to get yours repaired? I might consider sending mine since I love this macro very much. Thanks. Cheers! Charlie

01-14-2016, 10:33 AM	#11
W.j.christy Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Texas Photos: Albums Posts: 558 Original Poster	Hi Jatrax, Could you send Eric's info and if you do recall, what the pricing was. If it's not much I may have him do the work.

01-14-2016, 11:35 AM	#12
Dipsoid Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Posts: 241	Originally posted by chmance I bought mine a year and a half ago and right away I noticed that the front element was sort of hazy. The seller told me that it wasn't fungus but the deterioration of the balsam/cement used to glue the first two front glass elements. Apparently this is a common problem to this macro. The good news is ... it does not seem to affect image quality as far as I can tell. In fact, it has produced some wonderful macro images under different lighting condition. One thing I have noticed though is its tendency to flare inordinately when used for landscape shots with the sun in the frame or close to the frame. Perhaps that is related to the haze. Nevertheless, I love this lens given its razor-sharp resolution, high colour contrast, and pleasing bokeh. I bought mine from a flea market, I was so excited to get it for 5$, quickly realized the front element is hazy. The haze definitely effects image quality on mine, pictures are sharp but the contrast is wrecked, everything looks like I'm shooting into the sun unless stopped down quite a bit.

01-14-2016, 11:36 AM	#13
bertwert Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Golden, BC Posts: 15,173	Originally posted by chmance Hi Jatrax, Do you recall how much you paid Eric to get yours repaired? I might consider sending mine since I love this macro very much. Thanks. Cheers! Charlie Originally posted by W.j.christy Hi Jatrax, Could you send Eric's info and if you do recall, what the pricing was. If it's not much I may have him do the work. Home

01-14-2016, 11:55 AM	#14
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	Originally posted by chmance Do you recall how much you paid Eric to get yours repaired? I might consider sending mine since I love this macro very much. Originally posted by W.j.christy Could you send Eric's info and if you do recall, what the pricing was. If it's not much I may have him do the work. Home (Thank you Bertwert ) I believe the cost was around $100 - 125. I remember thinking that with the cost of the repair, the cost of the lens and all the shipping I should have just bought a good one from KEH. The cost total was just about the same. But you would have to ask Eric about an actual quote, my memory is fallible . He told me at the time he had to source the glue from Pentax and it took a month or so. Whether that would be true now or not I don't know.

01-14-2016, 12:07 PM	#15
chmance Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Vancouver Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 484	Originally posted by jatrax Home (Thank you Bertwert ) I believe the cost was around $100 - 125. I remember thinking that with the cost of the repair, the cost of the lens and all the shipping I should have just bought a good one from KEH. The cost total was just about the same. But you would have to ask Eric about an actual quote, my memory is fallible . He told me at the time he had to source the glue from Pentax and it took a month or so. Whether that would be true now or not I don't know. Thanks for the quick reply : )