M-Rokkor 28/2.8: Spots, Schneideritis, Haze - How can I decide, what's what?

krötenblender · 02-06-2011

Hello

I've read the threads about that lens and now got one included in a full CLE equipment (CLE, 90, 40, 28, Flash, some Filters, Bag...) in a good condition for a very reasonable price.

However, the 28 M-Rokkor has at least two different kinds of white spots. I guess, the bigger ones at the edge of the lens is what is called Schneideritis and only a cosmetic problem. But the smaller spots in the center I can not relate to either haze or the "famous" white-spot-problem of the 28mm.

Has anyone here experience with these spots and knows what's what?

I like to give the lens to a repair-service and like to know in advance with what I'm dealing here. I like to use it on my R-D1 (and on my CL and my new CLE, of course) and have not seen any problems with the images so far. But since the R-D1 has not that much of resolution and high dynamic output, it might be acceptable there, but simply unusable on a film-camera.

Thanks for any input.

Vobluda · 02-06-2011

Yours lens have already been opened - there are two cuts on the front ring in order to unscrew the front element. And the spots are still there so I guess that it is not possible to remove them:/

rollerbraun · 02-08-2011

Hello,
my M-Rokkor 28 mm f/2,8 also two cuts in the ring holding the front lens but there is not a sign of white spots on the inside of the lens. However there is a kind of stitched collar around the inside of the front lens. I think this lens has been refurbished at Minolta, USA some time ago. I bought it from a dealer in the US a year ago. Some years ago I had another such lens but it was full of white spots, all of them in different sizes. That lens had no collar inside. I had to sell it to a very reduced prize.

krötenblender · 02-08-2011

Until now, I can't really tell the difference, but I'm pretty sure, that the big spots at the border are coming from Schneideritis. I don't care about that, since it's only a cosmetical problem, and I do not want to sell the lens, but use it. - For now, it doesn't seem cause any visible artifacts on my R-D1.

But I do care about the small spots in the center. I will try to find a camera-repair-service who knows, if this can be fixed. I wrote a mail to a service in the Netherlands and got a quick reply, but they are closed from next week for some weeks. If I find one here in Germany and get it fixed, I will show the results here.

Anyway, if someone can tell, what the spots in the center are, I would appreciate that.

errorlogin · 02-09-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by krötenblender

If I find one here in Germany and get it fixed, I will show the results here.

Hallo,

that would be very kind. I have a 28mm Rokkor here as well, which is starting to develop these white spots....when i bought it like 3 years ago, there was no single spot.

I would like to bring it so service, before the spots are goinig in the middle destroying the coating.

In the last repair shop, I had this lens, they told me, that this is unrepairable, because the elements are cemented together. But I don't believe them. I think it can be fixed.

Thanks and kind regards,

Jan.

hexiplex · 02-24-2011

In another thread, there is a link to Will Van Manen camera service in The Netherlands, it seems he performs cleaning of Schneideritis/Haze for relatively reasonable prices, I am sending the 28 Rokkor I bought for 170 EUR to him when I get the money, I think he charges 75 EUR excluding postage, that to me makes it worth it even though it's just a cosmetic problem.

http://www.kamera-service.info/

krötenblender · 02-24-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by hexiplex

In another thread, there is a link to Will Van Manen camera service in The Netherlands, it seems he performs cleaning of Schneideritis/Haze for relatively reasonable prices, I am sending the 28 Rokkor I bought for 170 EUR to him when I get the money, I think he charges 75 EUR excluding postage, that to me makes it worth it even though it's just a cosmetic problem.

http://www.kamera-service.info/

Yes, I found them in the other thread, too. I'm already in contact with them and will send them mine, too.

goodtimes · 02-24-2011

Since it's been opened anyway and is willing to be opened a second time, why don't you open it yourself ? I would with no hesitation, when I observe this condition.

jsrockit · 02-24-2011

Before you do anything, I'd use it as is and see what you get...

krötenblender · 02-24-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsrockit

Before you do anything, I'd use it as is and see what you get...

Well, I do use it and I like it despite it's condition. It's very nice on the R-D1 and on film. But on the E-P2 it seems to give odd results.

I send it in, because I have enough other lenses I like, so I can live without it for some time. And if they can really fix it, it's worth the money.

I also opened it, but the backside of the front lens is unreachable nevertheless. It' glued into some kind of tube with some other lenses. I guess, with my tools I cannot reach the spotted side without breaking the thing.

hexiplex · 02-24-2011

When you get it back, please share the results!

krötenblender · 02-24-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by hexiplex

When you get it back, please share the results!

Promised .

m.galimathias · 03-13-2011

Are there some news?

krötenblender · 03-16-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by m.galimathias

Are there some news?

Not yet. I was very busy... I hope to send the lens on friday or saturday.

Update 20/3/2011: The lens is on it's way to www.kamera-service.info.

Update 25/3/2011: It's there... Now I'm getting nervous...

krötenblender · 03-28-2011

It's back:

I'm impressed... Decide yourself, if it's worth the money, I have to pay 200 Euros. But for me it's worth it, since I really like the lens. The dust in the picture is not in the lens, but on the lens... My fault.

Kavenzmann · 03-28-2011

Same lens, same problem - same repair-service, same money

I'm also impressed. Looks like new!

krötenblender · 03-28-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kavenzmann

Same lens, same problem - same repair-service, same money

...and same day.

- I hope, they did not switch our lenses...

First Images with R-D1 and E-P2 look very promising. No faults to see. I really love that lens, especially on my CLE. I'm really looking forward to the first roll with the 28 and Ektar 100.

jsrockit · 03-28-2011

Is there a huge difference from before?

raid · 03-28-2011

This is very impressive. I may do the same.

krötenblender · 03-28-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by raid

This is very impressive. I may do the same.

Yes, and it also a very nice lens on your new toy, the E-P2.

raid · 03-28-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by krötenblender

Yes, and it also a very nice lens on your new toy, the E-P2.

This is also my thought. It would be a sharp 56mm 2.8 lens.

raid · 03-28-2011

I need someone located in the USA to do the cleaning.

krötenblender · 03-28-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsrockit

Is there a huge difference from before?

Not sure, if the difference is 200 Euros big, but there is a difference. I think, I will try to make some tests on the weekend to see, how contrast improved.

At least a visible foggy spot in the center of images is gone. I don't know, if this is simply caused by cleaning the lens or by the spot-repair.

I was happy with the image-quality of the lens before, though, but a little bit unsure.

hexiplex · 04-03-2011

That looks great, I haven't seen any ill effects in the rolls I've shot with the lens thus far, except maybe some strange smudgelike flares in the bottom when shooting against the light. And ofcourse some pretty low contrast. But I will be sending in my lens as soon as I get the money to do it, very nice results from the service. Do you know if the white spots have a tendency to return after service?

Thank you for remembering to share your experiences by the way!

back alley · 04-03-2011

big difference in the looks of the lens...very curious to see what the difference in images might be like.