Schneider-itis: The Perennial Problem

[Ari]

It is nice to have good-looking equipment, but I usually don't bother to restore the cosmetics on these as it not being worthwhile. I just live with it.
Of course I'll let the lens designers chime in as to any optical benefit of edge painting, when only the edges visible to the consumer are painted and the rest of them are unpainted.

I don't care about the cosmetics.
I feel that the paint loss is starting to have an effect on image quality.

[Ari]

I think it would be pretty easy to estimate the amount of contrast loss in the lens -- if any -- with a simple comparative "step" test.

Then if there is any worth dealing with, test to see if changes in development, using a lens shade, etc. could remedy the problem.

I may take a couple shots today using the 210XL, a 210 Ysarex and a Fuji 250, if I'm not too busy.
But I know the XL is not at 100%

[xkaes]

It must be my background in research and medicine. It's best to correctly diagnose a problem before initiating any treatment. A surgeon will typically recommend surgery -- even when a pill will do the job.

[Nodda Duma]

I think it would be pretty easy to estimate the amount of contrast loss in the lens -- if any -- with a simple comparative "step" test.

Then if there is any worth dealing with, test to see if changes in development, using a lens shade, etc. could remedy the problem.

Veiling glare is described in ISO 9358. It can be measured according to test in ISO 18844. The principles and practical measurements are described here: https://www.imatest.com/docs/veilingglare/

-Jason

[Daniel Unkefer]

That image circle has got to be humungeous. Could some of it be light bouncing around in the camera interior? If so the excess circle can be reduced quite a bit.

Bellows Mask II 75mm Norma SA barrel auto iris FOBA ALFAO by Nokton48, on Flickr

[Ari]

Daniel, I bought it for the IC and IQ. No way I'm making the IC smaller!

Anyway, I found a solution, someone experienced to handle this repair.
I'll update next month when the job is done.

[ridax]

I found a solution, someone experienced to handle this repair.
I'll update next month when the job is done.

That would be the most useful if you perform accurate tests before and after the repair, with all the conditions exactly the same.
I think a lot of people will appreciate that.

[Ari]

I'll do what I can before sending the lens off next month.
It would be difficult to get the exact same conditions, but I'll make notes.

Here's a different lens with a slightly different issue, but worth noting.
This is a projector lens I have. The inside was not black, it was more of a dull dark gray.
I blackened the inside, and the differences are immediately apparent.
I'm starting to see the same effect on the 210, though it's very minor compared to the projector lens problem shown below.

[ic-racer]

The lens designer chimed in above

Yes, I'm interested on your opinion of the lack of edge blackening on the lens elements only visible when the lens is disassembled? But it does look like he found someone to repaint it so you don't have to answer if there is no good answer.

[xkaes]

That would be the most useful if you perform accurate tests before and after the repair, with all the conditions exactly the same.
I think a lot of people will appreciate that.

An excellent idea. If I were spending a lot on any repair -- photographic or not -- I'd like some proof that it was done right. I can't tell you how many times I've had repairs done by companies with A+ BBB ratings, only to discover that their "repair" just made things WORSE!