Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1999/03/15
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]On 15 Mar 99 at 13:16, George Hartzell wrote: > > 2) Not that I want to put a filter on the front of it, but I > noticed > that either it's not threaded, or it has something screwed in. > There's what looks like a glass-less filter as the last thing > on the lens, it says VII on one side and 14161 Canada on the > other side. > > Actually, now that I apply some force, it spins off like a > filter too, but no glass. Hmmmm. A device to Prevent One From > Using a Filter? How Leica-ish... This is a retaining ring to hold Series 7 in place. They are essentially disks of glass surrrounded by a metal band, without threading. > > 3) If I shine a flashlight through the lens from the front, and > carefully (boy, is it bright when you look straight into it) > look at the elements, there's a small blotch of white on what > seems to be the inside of the rear element. > > It doesn't seem to come off w/ lens cleaning paper and fluid, > so I *think* it's on the inner surface of the element. > > My guess is that this is the dreaded fungus that I've heard so > much about. > That's what it sounds like, especially if it looks a little like a small tuft of cotton. I've got the same thing inside a Nikon 75mm enlarging lens which, in truth, did not affect performance as far as I could see, and I used the lens regularly for 5x7 35 mm prints. However, I've put that particular optic aside. > Will is get bigger? > > Am I more likely for my other lenses to develop fungus if I > store them w/ this "infected" lens? > > I'm assuming that if I make some test shots, and don't see have > any trouble, that the blotch must be small enough to not be an > issue. Is there anything in particular (e.g. flary > situations?) that I should test? > > The lens was rated Ex, and no mention was made of the blotch. > Should I feel misled? IMHO, the fungus is a valid reason for a return. Roy