Lens Flare - 90 mm Elmar Screw Mount

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Flare is driving me crazy...My 90 Elmar SM with FIKUS is a problem even when turned 60 deg towards light source..Any hints? Most of the photographs are washed out...Thanks

-- Tony Konefal (tony_k_@hotmail.com), December 05, 2001

Answers

Tony, your 90 Elmar SM is no doubt pretty old. Has it been cleaned? Old lenses have a way of being clouded up inside with foreign contaminants, or even with fungus. Does a flashlight shining through the lens reveal any such thing? Because if there is, it can cause poor contrast, with accompanying flare problems. I'm not sure what a FIKUS is; probably the lens hood? If the lens is really old, then is it coated? Let us know what you see inside the lens, we'll go from there.

-- Bob Fleischman (RFXMAIL@prodigy.net), December 05, 2001.

Thanks Bob...the lens is coated, 1950 production and a slight haze is visible around the outside edge of the back element. The haze is covered by the iris when stepped down to 5.6 and the glass appears clear. I used a Hektor/Elmar 3.5,5,9,13.5 adjustable hood. Hope this helps.

-- tony (tony_k_@hotmail.com), December 06, 2001.

Tony,

I have a 90mm Elmar as well. Mine uses A36 filters so I had a custom stepping ring made to use E39 filters. I have 12575 shade but I most often use a very nice Heliopan LONG 39mm shade. I've not had flare problems. I sent my lens to Don Goldberg for a CLA. Sounds like your's could use a cleaning.

Get it cleaned and you should see a big improvement.

Cheers!

-- Tony Oresteen (aoresteen@mindspring.com), December 10, 2001.


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