Decided to finally open up the 50mm

[DrEntropy]

This AiS 50mm ∱1.4 has been with me a while. A long while. Spent the last couple decades in my leather "big" bag and fungus was one result. Opened it up Sunday, out came all the elements. The "before" photo here shows some of the growth between first and second front elements. The rear group was no better.

To get into the assembly, a judicious application of acetone to wick into the threaded bits to melt adhesive, a 50/50 mix of peroxide and ammonia on Q-Tips to treat and remove the fungus, 99% alcohol for cleaning the glass, along with KimWipes and blowers 'n "camel hair" brushes... well worth the effort. Though it was somewhat unnerving, not unlike a surgeon working on his own family!

 

[DrEntropy]

Ethel with the 50 after the cleaning:

 

[Basil]

I've been lucky to live in a relatively low humidity area. I have some rather old FD mount Canon (and secondary market) lenses from my film shooting days that I can actually use on my R5 with an adaptor (manual focus only). The images are not too bad for such old lenses on such a high resolution camera. So far I've not seen any signs of mold of fungus (knock on wood).

Really great that you have the talent and knowhow (and patience) to tackle such a job. Now you 'll get many more years of use out of that lens.

Are there any other older lenses which await the same procedure?

 

[DrEntropy]

Are there any other older lenses which await the same procedure?

Yes, a 24mm ∱2.8 with a mess inside. As I was doing the disassembly there was evidence someone had been in there before me. And not with finesse. Some sort of thread locker of odd composition, not Nikon factory. A couple "boogered" screw heads internally and scars from inappropriate tools. Fungus was on two elements in the second group, had to get to them from the back, as the "glue" holding the front bezel didn't want to let go no matter how much acetone and time/force was applied! A real PITA!





Our dining table repurposed. Don't laugh!!



And at minimum focal distance after the cleaning. 1/125th @ ∱16. ISO was at 400. EXIF data doesn't know how to "read" the AiS manual lenses, says "100mm" and "ISO 4000".

 

[GregW]

My D610's allow me to manually store the focal length and ap. into memory. When I put a different lens on, I can select that saved info so the camera will meter accurately. I think one of your cameras will do that, but not the 7500.
> Using Manual Focus Lenses on Nikon DSLR Cameras <

 

[DrEntropy]

My D610's allow me to manually store the focal length and ap. into memory. When I put a different lens on, I can select that saved info so the camera will meter accurately. I think one of your cameras will do that, but not the 7500.
> Using Manual Focus Lenses on Nikon DSLR Cameras <

Yes, the 7200's will allow it all, they have the Ai coupling ring. It was ditched on the 7500, but those still have a bit of a "compensation" for MF and focal length. Not a big deal for either one AFAIC. I do wish the 7500 had an allowance for a quick DoF/aperture preview button.

 

[DrEntropy]

Just realized that WAS one of the 7200's, the "non-CPU" lens setting was set for the 90mm Vivitar (close enuff, no "90mm" in the menu) to 100mm. Had yet to enter the 24mm info. DOH!!

 

[DrEntropy]

So with those last two lens cleanings successful, decided to open up a prime 500mm mirror ∱8 lens I got some time ago. It had some haze at the outer perimeter and center where the secondary mirror is attached to the front element. The ammonia/peroxide solution dissolved the "fog" nicely.
Subsequent test shot and comparison image with same camera (complete frames and EXIF data included):

 

[Basil]

Outstanding!

 

[DrEntropy]

Several "test" shots posted in another thread. Very pleased with the result.

 

[fordmstr]

Cats sure love cardboard boxes.
Never tried taking a lens apart before, sent one in to Nikon that was under warranty once.
Mostly use my 28-70 Nikon on a used D700 bought years ago. Love taking pictures.

 

[fordmstr]

Made a mistake, it's a 24-70 2.8 ED lens.

 

[DrEntropy]

Cats sure love cardboard boxes.
Never tried taking a lens apart before, sent one in to Nikon that was under warranty once.
Mostly use my 28-70 Nikon on a used D700 bought years ago. Love taking pictures.

Been doing most of my own repairs from the time I was a kid, mostly from a "$elf-pre$ervation" standpoint. Got to do more of it when in high school, working part-time in a Ma-n-Pa camera store. Customers' Pentax SP's & Spotmatics, mostly. Once I could afford Nikons, I would use N.P.S. if something went sideways back-in-the-day, before they went to the: "Your money or your life!" paradigm. No longer shooting as a pro, mostly for 'therapy' now. So resurrecting the old manual glass is another piece of that.

And the digital photo imaging thing is somewhat new to me as well. AFAIC it "killed" photojournalism. As evidence, just look at AP and UPI records RE: P-Shopped shots that got past 'em.

Been using a DX 17~55 ∱2.8 on the APS-C bodies and lovin' it. Now, since I'll be going to FX, that AF-S 24~70 ∱2.8 looks to be in my near future too!