Hi

I have bought several second hand lenses for different formats (Nikkor, Schnedier & Rodenstock). They all seem OK apart from dust inside. When a shine a light through the lenses they all seem to have a lot of specks of dust inside. How much will this affect my prints? Is it worth having them cleaned which will cost me far more than I paid for them? Should I buy new lenses?

Your advice would be appreciated, as ever.

Ritchie

Ritchie, personally I wouldn't worry about it, unless it's really thick with dust. My enlarger lenses all have a level of dust in them, all be it a small amount. Even new lenses can have some specks of dust. Its pot luck really.

I have gone after dust like this and it makes me feel better, but unless there is a lot of it, there will be no improvement.

I have a few dust specks in all my lenses---from enarger to 4X5 it's just the nature of the beast you can't fight mother nature. That said since it is normal I don't think it will effect the pic quality unless it is a ton of dust. But it always bugs me a little