P3D Re: Importance of lens coatings

[Eric Goldstein <egoldste@xxxxxx>]

K.Morcus wrote:

> one of the last things I did
> was cleaning softly the front lenses with water to which I had added 2
> drops of dish cleaner (2 drops in a cup of water). I used a cotton bud.
> I had read somewhere that this would be harmless for the lens coating.
> However I was seized with fear when I saw  suddenly that the cotton bud
> had become BLUE, so I think I have removed the coating.
> I think this is a warning for others.
> 
> My question: how important is the lenscoating? And if it is very
> important: is it possible to RE-coat and at what price?


The mild dilute soap solution you used to clean the lenses should have
been ok; where many people get overenthusiastic is the pressure they
apply. With classic lenses, I try to use the FLUFF of the cotten swab
and virtually no pressure. It slow, but safe.

I wouldn't get too concerned. First, you may not have removed all of the
coating. Check to see what color a light reflection is off the first
element compared with the internal elements; if it's similar or the same
no problem Second, the front lens coating is actually less important to
lens contrast (this is the benefit the coating provides, increased lens
contrast) than the coatings on the internal elements. Even if the front
surface coatings is reduced, I'd be very surprised if you or anyone else
would detect the different in the chromes...

Yes, you can get lenses recoated... at a cost of about $125/surface! If
you feel you'd like to pursue it, contact me directly and I'll forward
the contact info for the "guru" here in the State which does this work.
If it were my camera I would not bother. Perhaps investing $50ish in the
nice Tiffen lenshood/filter set for Revere would be a better investment
and help with any flare...


Eric G.


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