This is a Symmar 135mm. I think this is separation, probably caused by an impact, but I am looking for confirmation. I was also wondering if it is fixable and what kind of cement Schneider used to cement it. Balsam? Something else? Any info you guys could give would be welcome. Here's a pic of the offending part. It looks to be between the two last elements.
Patrick
Hmm, I have seen this 'snowflake pattern' on lenses with fungus...bad examples can have lots of them.
That's fungus alright.
Greg Lockrey
Wealth is a state of mind.
Money is just a tool.
Happiness is pedaling +25mph on a smooth road.
Looks like separation to me - a devitrification of the cement. fungus would be on the surface of the glass, separation and cement failure between the cemented components.
it's kinda pretty though
Focal Point can recement it but it would cost $180 or so. Just buy another 135 on eBay and keep the best shutter, eBay the other shutter. You might even break even!
Patrick
I have a 360 Componon with the same issues on both front and rear elements, it's seperation, shoot with it, you really won't see it in the final image. The only time I see it (and only from the rear element) is if I have an out of focus point of light, it shows in the blurred disk, you'd have to know it's there to ever see it, in fact.
erie patsellis
Squash blossom. Renders your lens worthless for anything except taking pictures. It won't affect your pictures at all.
Does anyone know about the cement type? I know you can cook balsam in the oven to help with the separation, and I have balsam to replace it. I have done this before. I am just wondering if the cement is synthetic. It is a Symmar convertible if that helps with the age of it. According to Schneider's lens list it is from 1963. Any opinions?
Patrick
Patrick,
seriously, unless you bought it strictly to sell it, go shoot it, the only thing it really affects is price on the used market.
erie
Trying to take one of those apart and get it cemented back properly is a risky business. You could wind up with something totally unusable. If you do decide to persue this, I would soak it apart in acetone or lacquer thinner. If it has balsam cement, it will slide apart after a lengthy soak.
Heating it could break it. I say, just use it, as is.
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