When Is A Lens Worth Cleaning?

rormeister · 01-26-2009, 08:08 AM

This weekend I picked up a Vivitar Series 1 100-500mm 1:5.6 - 8 MC Macro lens. While I noticed some smudginess on the rear element I though it was on the outside. Alas it's a light fungus, spider veins, on the inside glass. Overall, the lens is in amazing shape, no lens creep, everything functions great. Image quality is okay, but a tad soft perhaps from it's local residents.
Here's a pic.

Is this lens worth saving, and if so does anyone know of a good (yet affordable) service for this?

TIA

rdrum76 · 01-26-2009, 09:28 AM

email this person

Pentax27@aol.com

i have had positive communication with him, but passed on a lens that I was going to send to him

other members are happy with his work

gl

rormeister · 01-26-2009, 09:42 AM

Thanks. I'll ping him and get back to everyone. The lens to me is definitely a keeper....

awo425 · 01-26-2009, 01:14 PM

Originally posted by rormeister

Thanks. I'll ping him and get back to everyone. The lens to me is definitely a keeper....

I cleaned fungus like this on a back element of SMC 55/1.8 with vinegar.
the back element was very easy to unscrew though on this lens. not sure if this is the case for your VS1.

rormeister · 01-26-2009, 01:19 PM

That's encouraging. I've seen where this lens sold for $800+ new back in the 80's.

ll_coffee_lP · 01-26-2009, 05:32 PM

Damn...that lens is huge!

c[_]

Sila · 01-27-2009, 01:12 AM

Originally posted by rormeister

This weekend I picked up a Vivitar Series 1 100-500mm 1:5.6 - 8 MC Macro lens. While I noticed some smudginess on the rear element I though it was on the outside. Alas it's a light fungus, spider veins, on the inside glass. Overall, the lens is in amazing shape, no lens creep, everything functions great. Image quality is okay, but a tad soft perhaps from it's local residents.
Here's a pic.

Is this lens worth saving, and if so does anyone know of a good (yet affordable) service for this?

TIA

Had one of those baby`es in a cosina version....

But mine did`t have a "A" setting, so i almost never used it.

Mine was not sharp enought to me.......

Good luck with yours....

01-26-2009, 08:08 AM	#1
rormeister Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 626	When Is A Lens Worth Cleaning? This weekend I picked up a Vivitar Series 1 100-500mm 1:5.6 - 8 MC Macro lens. While I noticed some smudginess on the rear element I though it was on the outside. Alas it's a light fungus, spider veins, on the inside glass. Overall, the lens is in amazing shape, no lens creep, everything functions great. Image quality is okay, but a tad soft perhaps from it's local residents. Here's a pic. Is this lens worth saving, and if so does anyone know of a good (yet affordable) service for this? TIA

01-26-2009, 09:28 AM	#2
rdrum76 Inactive Account Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 221	email email this person Pentax27@aol.com i have had positive communication with him, but passed on a lens that I was going to send to him other members are happy with his work gl

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Is it worth fixing/cleaning on this Tamron 55BB 500mm f/8.0 mirror	hinman	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	26	10-09-2017 07:04 AM
Lens cleaning	oldphil	Troubleshooting and Beginner Help	5	05-16-2010 03:58 PM
Lens Cleaning	Fl_Gulfer	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	9	09-17-2008 02:22 AM
lens cleaning	enrod666	Photographic Technique	5	06-14-2008 02:14 AM
lens cleaning	Bob83	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	5	01-17-2008 08:50 AM

01-26-2009, 09:42 AM	#3
rormeister Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 626 Original Poster	Thanks. I'll ping him and get back to everyone. The lens to me is definitely a keeper....

01-26-2009, 01:14 PM	#4
awo425 Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: NYC, USA Posts: 481	Originally posted by rormeister Thanks. I'll ping him and get back to everyone. The lens to me is definitely a keeper.... I cleaned fungus like this on a back element of SMC 55/1.8 with vinegar. the back element was very easy to unscrew though on this lens. not sure if this is the case for your VS1.

01-26-2009, 01:19 PM	#5
rormeister Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 626 Original Poster	That's encouraging. I've seen where this lens sold for $800+ new back in the 80's.

01-26-2009, 05:32 PM	#6
ll_coffee_lP Inactive Account Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,972	Damn...that lens is huge! c[_]

01-27-2009, 01:12 AM	#7
Sila Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Denmark Photos: Gallery Posts: 97	Originally posted by rormeister This weekend I picked up a Vivitar Series 1 100-500mm 1:5.6 - 8 MC Macro lens. While I noticed some smudginess on the rear element I though it was on the outside. Alas it's a light fungus, spider veins, on the inside glass. Overall, the lens is in amazing shape, no lens creep, everything functions great. Image quality is okay, but a tad soft perhaps from it's local residents. Here's a pic. Is this lens worth saving, and if so does anyone know of a good (yet affordable) service for this? TIA Had one of those baby`es in a cosina version.... But mine did`t have a "A" setting, so i almost never used it. Mine was not sharp enought to me....... Good luck with yours....

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
	Search this Thread: Advanced Search