It's the "what's that in my lens?" guessing game!

Eyewanders · 04-24-2022, 07:21 PM

Correct answers will receive eons of credibility and a very slight chance to receive a lifetime supply corndogs.

Seriously. What say you? I have my thoughts, but I haven't torn this one down (and likely will not, but we'll see how this saga goes).

Poor lil Topcor.

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**UncleVanya** · 04-24-2022, 09:07 PM - **1 Like**

I'm going with - stuff you don't want in it. That's all that I can say for sure. Looks like water evaporated and left behind some deposits... but it could be fungus.

Eyewanders · 04-24-2022, 10:14 PM

Originally posted by UncleVanya

I'm going with - stuff you don't want in it. That's all that I can say for sure. Looks like water evaporated and left behind some deposits... but it could be fungus.

For the win! Yeah my thought as well was water deposit, or possible fugus that was cleaned but left a bit of etching exacerbated by some sort of solvent not entirely rinsed, or water in those spots, etc. If it is fungus it looks like ex-fungus wouldn't you say?

35mmfilmfan · 04-25-2022, 12:50 AM - **2 Likes**

Is it possibly element separation due to balsam drying out ?

**UncleVanya** · 04-25-2022, 04:58 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Eyewanders

For the win! Yeah my thought as well was water deposit, or possible fugus that was cleaned but left a bit of etching exacerbated by some sort of solvent not entirely rinsed, or water in those spots, etc. If it is fungus it looks like ex-fungus wouldn't you say?

I am guessing but I agree.

Fogel70 · 04-25-2022, 06:38 AM - **2 Likes**

Is it sunlight that got stuck inside the lens?

Eyewanders · 04-25-2022, 08:50 AM

Originally posted by 35mmfilmfan

Is it possibly element separation due to balsam drying out ?

I have someone how never had one my possession all these years that had that sort of separation but yes, you may be correct actually.

**UncleVanya** · 04-25-2022, 09:02 AM

Originally posted by Eyewanders

I have someone how never had one my possession all these years that had that sort of separation but yes, you may be correct actually.

The only lens I have owned with separation was very uniform. The separation was donut shaped and very regular. That is based on a single lens (F 100 macro)

**ProfessorBuzz** · 04-25-2022, 09:13 AM

Can I answer (d) All of the above?
I'm with @UncleVanya - usually the balsam separation is all the way around, unless maybe the lens got wet (or a solvent) in it.

Some of the specks look like water droplets that dried, and some fungus-looking wiggles, although much of the fungus I've seen usually is a bit more "fractally".

**tonyzoc** · 04-25-2022, 09:19 AM

Its always hard to tell until you get in there and try to clean it. Usually the inner elements front and back if the diaphragm are often where the issue is, but not always. I picked up a 400mm Vivitar TX and it looked like it had bad fungus, but once I cleaned the rear element, it was clear as day.

**ramseybuckeye** · 04-25-2022, 01:50 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by UncleVanya

I'm going with - stuff you don't want in it. That's all that I can say for sure. Looks like water evaporated and left behind some deposits... but it could be fungus.

I agree, although I was going to go with soapy water residue. If not that maple syrup, you'd have to do a taste test.

Eyewanders · 04-25-2022, 03:55 PM

Originally posted by tonyzoc

Its always hard to tell until you get in there and try to clean it. Usually the inner elements front and back if the diaphragm are often where the issue is, but not always. I picked up a 400mm Vivitar TX and it looked like it had bad fungus, but once I cleaned the rear element, it was clear as day.

Very much agreed. Always a mystery at least somewhat til you're in there. I'm not tearing this one down though - the seller would like it back (is not open to partial refunds) and frankly the more I examine this one the more I'd rather he take it back. It was sold as clean and clear, not at a premium but certainly no bargain... Now I have to hope he doesn't resist upon re-receipt.

**tonyzoc** · 04-25-2022, 04:04 PM - **1 Like**

I've had my eye on the 58mm 1.4 Topcon lens because it's one of the fastest lenses you can mount on an Exakta...but they've been running $300+ these days and I can justify getting one. It's just a good Japanese lens, no better than a SMC Takumar or a Nikkor 50mm. It's high value is mostly as a collectible, like the early 5.8cm Nikkor, which sells in that price range.

**TwoUptons** · 04-25-2022, 05:52 PM - **1 Like**

Between this and your Konica, you're not having good luck...

-Eric

35mmfilmfan · 04-25-2022, 06:00 PM - **1 Like**

Maybe it's coagulated pixie dust ?

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04-24-2022, 09:07 PM - 1 Like	#2
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,459	I'm going with - stuff you don't want in it. That's all that I can say for sure. Looks like water evaporated and left behind some deposits... but it could be fungus.

04-24-2022, 10:14 PM	#3
Eyewanders Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Land of the Salish Sea Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,343 Original Poster	Originally posted by UncleVanya I'm going with - stuff you don't want in it. That's all that I can say for sure. Looks like water evaporated and left behind some deposits... but it could be fungus. For the win! Yeah my thought as well was water deposit, or possible fugus that was cleaned but left a bit of etching exacerbated by some sort of solvent not entirely rinsed, or water in those spots, etc. If it is fungus it looks like ex-fungus wouldn't you say?

04-25-2022, 12:50 AM - 2 Likes	#4
35mmfilmfan Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Norfolk, UK Posts: 4,339	Is it possibly element separation due to balsam drying out ?

04-25-2022, 04:58 AM - 1 Like	#5
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,459	Originally posted by Eyewanders For the win! Yeah my thought as well was water deposit, or possible fugus that was cleaned but left a bit of etching exacerbated by some sort of solvent not entirely rinsed, or water in those spots, etc. If it is fungus it looks like ex-fungus wouldn't you say? I am guessing but I agree.

04-25-2022, 06:38 AM - 2 Likes	#6
Fogel70 Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Stockholm, Sweden Photos: Albums Posts: 3,062	Is it sunlight that got stuck inside the lens?

04-25-2022, 08:50 AM	#7
Eyewanders Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Land of the Salish Sea Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,343 Original Poster	Originally posted by 35mmfilmfan Is it possibly element separation due to balsam drying out ? I have someone how never had one my possession all these years that had that sort of separation but yes, you may be correct actually.

04-25-2022, 09:02 AM	#8
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,459	Originally posted by Eyewanders I have someone how never had one my possession all these years that had that sort of separation but yes, you may be correct actually. The only lens I have owned with separation was very uniform. The separation was donut shaped and very regular. That is based on a single lens (F 100 macro)

04-25-2022, 09:13 AM	#9
ProfessorBuzz Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2018 Posts: 1,903	Can I answer (d) All of the above? I'm with @UncleVanya - usually the balsam separation is all the way around, unless maybe the lens got wet (or a solvent) in it. Some of the specks look like water droplets that dried, and some fungus-looking wiggles, although much of the fungus I've seen usually is a bit more "fractally".

04-25-2022, 09:19 AM	#10
tonyzoc Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2018 Posts: 992	Its always hard to tell until you get in there and try to clean it. Usually the inner elements front and back if the diaphragm are often where the issue is, but not always. I picked up a 400mm Vivitar TX and it looked like it had bad fungus, but once I cleaned the rear element, it was clear as day.

04-25-2022, 01:50 PM - 1 Like	#11
ramseybuckeye Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Hampstead, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 17,295	Originally posted by UncleVanya I'm going with - stuff you don't want in it. That's all that I can say for sure. Looks like water evaporated and left behind some deposits... but it could be fungus. I agree, although I was going to go with soapy water residue. If not that maple syrup, you'd have to do a taste test.

04-25-2022, 03:55 PM	#12
Eyewanders Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Land of the Salish Sea Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,343 Original Poster	Originally posted by tonyzoc Its always hard to tell until you get in there and try to clean it. Usually the inner elements front and back if the diaphragm are often where the issue is, but not always. I picked up a 400mm Vivitar TX and it looked like it had bad fungus, but once I cleaned the rear element, it was clear as day. Very much agreed. Always a mystery at least somewhat til you're in there. I'm not tearing this one down though - the seller would like it back (is not open to partial refunds) and frankly the more I examine this one the more I'd rather he take it back. It was sold as clean and clear, not at a premium but certainly no bargain... Now I have to hope he doesn't resist upon re-receipt.

04-25-2022, 04:04 PM - 1 Like	#13
tonyzoc Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2018 Posts: 992	I've had my eye on the 58mm 1.4 Topcon lens because it's one of the fastest lenses you can mount on an Exakta...but they've been running $300+ these days and I can justify getting one. It's just a good Japanese lens, no better than a SMC Takumar or a Nikkor 50mm. It's high value is mostly as a collectible, like the early 5.8cm Nikkor, which sells in that price range.

04-25-2022, 05:52 PM - 1 Like	#14
TwoUptons Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2015 Photos: Albums Posts: 4,225	Between this and your Konica, you're not having good luck... -Eric

04-25-2022, 06:00 PM - 1 Like	#15
35mmfilmfan Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Norfolk, UK Posts: 4,339	Maybe it's coagulated pixie dust ?