Results 1 to 4 of 4

Thread: hazy lenses

  1. #1

    Join Date
    Sep 1998
    Posts
    114

    hazy lenses

    Can anyone explain to me what haze in a lens is. I've this lens which seems to p erform well; however, I was looking into it with a magnifying glass, and it is h azy. The haze seems to be on the back side of the front element. If not haze, an d I don't know a lot about lenses, it seems like foam looking through the back o f the lens. From the front, it's hazy looking to me. And I wonder if this, whate ver it is, has the effect of a soft-focus filter. I mean, until I discovered tha t there was something wrong with this lens, I liked its performance, and now I w onder if it's possible the haze was producing somekind of effect on the tonality . If anyone has any experience with this please let me know. Thanks.

  2. #2

    hazy lenses

    I've told this story online several times, but it bears repeating as a partial answer to your question. Last year I purchased a 10" WF Ektar for my Deardorff 8x10. In order to save $200 off the price of one in better condition, I bought one with "polishing marks" on the front element. I was concerned that they would affect the picture quality but I figured what the hell: $200 is $200. Then one day I tried shooting nudes in the studio with this lens, under a big Westcott soft box, and was very pleasantly surprised. The slight diffusion effect was gorgeous, especially when combined with my favorite toner. I now use this lens exclusively with that light. And outdoors it's fine too; the diffusion effect is minimal under normal outdoor conditions, just slightly softening the contrast. Moral of the story: Just because a lens isn't the latest or most expensive doesn't mean you can't take great pictures with it. I own a Leica M2 with a pristine 50mm DR Summicron (the sharpest lens ever tested by Modern Photography) and a very pricey 35mm Summilux. But I wish I had an old Leica III and a hazy screw-mount lens too!

  3. #3

    Join Date
    Feb 1998
    Posts
    287

    hazy lenses

    Sometimes an oily film will diffuse onto the lens elements from lubrication in the shutter mechanism, especially in hot weather. Cleaning the lens elements on a regular basis helps to minimize this source of fogging.

  4. #4

    Join Date
    Mar 1998
    Posts
    1,972

    hazy lenses

    From your description it sounds like you may have the dread Fungi Amungeye.

Similar Threads

  1. Using enlarger lenses as barrel lenses
    By Nitish Kanabar in forum Lenses & Lens Accessories
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 1-Apr-2005, 10:52
  2. quality difference between enlarger lenses and other lenses
    By Stijn in forum Lenses & Lens Accessories
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 14-Dec-2001, 15:45
  3. Replies: 7
    Last Post: 6-Mar-2000, 18:28
  4. Lenses, lenses, lenses...WHAT FITS?
    By David Richhart in forum Lenses & Lens Accessories
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 26-Jan-2000, 22:22

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •