Old SLR film camera and lenses given to me
Jul 25, 2020 11:43:17 #
CHG_CANON wrote:
Take a penlight and shine it through the lens with both caps removed. Look at every glass surface of the various lens elements inside the lens. Fungus will be obvious and different than any interior dust. Interior dust doesn't impact image quality, although the less interior dust the better. Look into the interior from both ends of the lens.
A 'penlight' like the pocket sized MagLight you can get at Home Depot or similar.
A 'penlight' like the pocket sized MagLight you can get at Home Depot or similar.
Thank you. You always give great advice (I have a very good mini flash light)
Jul 25, 2020 12:15:42 #
Jul 25, 2020 13:14:30 #
Lens mould is detectable as described by CGH CANON. That method will also reveal excessive dust, haze caused by other issues besides mould, and damage or erosion to the lens coating. Weh assessing used gear other problems to look for are sluggish shutters, especially noticeable in the slow speeds, sticking diaphragm blades, and deposit on shutter blades or parts of the aperture blades caused my migrating lubricants, and stubborn helical focusing mechanisms or detecting a kinda crunchy sound or feeling when operating theses mechanisms.
Mould smells like a musty basement or old seedy mattress. Mould will form on and attach more easily to organic materials like genuine leather bellows or body coverings. In some older cameras, the coverings adhered with animal glues. Problem is, even if the camera is operational, that odour is almost impossible to remove. Old press and view cameras with wooden bodies are very problematic as to mould removal.
I can't understand the logic or usefulness of calling Minolta equipment "garbage or junk", etc. For many years the company made many decent moderately priced cameras and lenses. The company has a long storied history- check it out- http://camera-wiki.org/wiki/Minolta#Autofocus_SLR_.2835mm.29
Models like the SRT 101 and the Maxxum line were manufactured in the era when cameras did not "expire" or considered to be disposable with built-in obsolescence. Some of them are still alive and kicking in the hands of those who care to use film. They ain't Leicas, Nikons or anything exotic but they are decent enough and there are some outstanding models and lenses.
The problem with restoring just about any old film camera is that the old-time repair folks who can actually fix old stuff, disassemble, clean reassemble lenses at a reasonable cost, have become as rare as all the vintage gear itself. There are some enthusiasts that restore old Graflex gear- the have a Facebook group and some of the restorations are awesome.
Unless you are a collector or a serious camera restoration person, investing in mouldy old stuff is impractical and uneconomical.
Mould smells like a musty basement or old seedy mattress. Mould will form on and attach more easily to organic materials like genuine leather bellows or body coverings. In some older cameras, the coverings adhered with animal glues. Problem is, even if the camera is operational, that odour is almost impossible to remove. Old press and view cameras with wooden bodies are very problematic as to mould removal.
I can't understand the logic or usefulness of calling Minolta equipment "garbage or junk", etc. For many years the company made many decent moderately priced cameras and lenses. The company has a long storied history- check it out- http://camera-wiki.org/wiki/Minolta#Autofocus_SLR_.2835mm.29
Models like the SRT 101 and the Maxxum line were manufactured in the era when cameras did not "expire" or considered to be disposable with built-in obsolescence. Some of them are still alive and kicking in the hands of those who care to use film. They ain't Leicas, Nikons or anything exotic but they are decent enough and there are some outstanding models and lenses.
The problem with restoring just about any old film camera is that the old-time repair folks who can actually fix old stuff, disassemble, clean reassemble lenses at a reasonable cost, have become as rare as all the vintage gear itself. There are some enthusiasts that restore old Graflex gear- the have a Facebook group and some of the restorations are awesome.
Unless you are a collector or a serious camera restoration person, investing in mouldy old stuff is impractical and uneconomical.
Jul 25, 2020 13:21:27 #
Hsch39 wrote:
Goodwill will take them. Yesterday I "donated" 2 lenses from the '60. Not my Leica lenses.
Hope you ... nor anyone ... delivers such crap to our local goodwill. Although these days nearly everyone wears gloves and a mask working with trash assumed to be contagious anywho .
Jul 25, 2020 16:06:56 #
Vintage lenses can be cleaned internally. Take a cheap lens and learn how to take apart a lens. This is if you want to save on professional service provider. If it were me , I would want to save a vintage lens that can be saved.
Jul 25, 2020 18:05:43 #
MichaelMcGrath
Loc: Ireland
Some rare and valuable old Minolta gear such as the XD7 - XD11 in the States. A lot of people too prefer Black and White out of a top film camera than digital Black and White, I know I do and I develop it too. I hated to read here about 'trash' with regard to some fab old cameras and lenses. Sorry.
Jul 25, 2020 18:25:09 #
KEH & MPB will not buy any used lens with mold...they will rapidly ship it back to you
Jul 25, 2020 18:27:57 #
MichaelMcGrath
Loc: Ireland
Advertise them on FB but honestly state their bad condition, describing the mold etc, start at O.99, you'll be amazed at how they could sell!
Jul 25, 2020 19:01:38 #
murphle wrote:
Hello, br My sister allowed her old Minolta film c... (show quote)
HAH! Send them to me, I live in Arizona and will place them in an environment that will kill the mold and dry out the lenses. If I'm successful, I can send them back to you.., maybe even locate an adapter for your Olympus camera?
Jul 25, 2020 19:43:48 #
MichaelMcGrath wrote:
Some rare and valuable old Minolta gear such as the XD7 - XD11 in the States. A lot of people too prefer Black and White out of a top film camera than digital Black and White, I know I do and I develop it too. I hated to read here about 'trash' with regard to some fab old cameras and lenses. Sorry.
They are trash. This is well established.
Jul 25, 2020 21:02:48 #
Jul 25, 2020 21:23:10 #
MichaelMcGrath wrote:
Send them to ARIZONA, give them a chance to live on.
Ahh ... the uhh version of common sense.
Are you going to donate $$ for round trip shipping from the iron range to the desert southwest and back ? Are you ?
We do NOT know of a certainty that the desert will heal these lowly items, but we DO know of a certainty that those same items in originally clean condition are, altogether, worth LESS than the cost of round trip shipping.
And acoarst in their current condition they’re worth INFINITELY less than only one-way shipping. It’s a lose-lose deal.
If you won’t donate shipping $$ you could at least donate trash bags.
Jul 25, 2020 22:17:45 #
murphle wrote:
Hello, br My sister allowed her old Minolta film c... (show quote)
You could find replacement equipment on ebay for a very small investment. I think this is your best option if you are intending to use a film camera.
Jul 25, 2020 23:41:02 #
murphle wrote:
Hello, br My sister allowed her old Minolta film c... (show quote)
These are the kinds of things I like to learn more about. Such as
How to take it apart and how’s it made and could I really clean it all and get it back together.
Then somewhere in that process.....
Just toss it.
Jul 26, 2020 01:19:09 #
murphle wrote:
Hello, br My sister allowed her old Minolta film c... (show quote)
Many others say trash them.
I would salvage some screws and parts, then trash them.
Another bit of information.
The fungus eats the glue holding lens elements together.
The mycelium of the living fungus secretes an acid that ETCHES GLASS.
Therefore, damage is permanent, irreversible.
Bill
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