danny dale
Well-known member
I have been purchasing Canon FD lenses on eBay for my GH1 and came across an interesting issue with older 35mm F2.0 lenses. It appears that there are 6 versions of the FD 35mm and the first 4 have a concave front glass element, only go to F16, and were constructed using thorium - a radioactive element. The issue with the first 4 versions is that over time they begin to develop a yellow tint. If the tint is brown, that is caused by decomposition of the Canada balsam used as cement between lens elements. After reading about it on photo.net it seems some people have sun-bleached the lens for 2-4 weeks and it cleared them up. Has anyone here tried/done this? Any success? I haven't contacted any of the posters on photo.net yet... but I thought I would ask here first and also share this info.
The seller on eBay has graciously agreed to take the lens back or return some money (I paid 123.00 for the lens). These lenses are supposedly very rare and sought after by B&W photographers cause the yellow tint boosts contrast and is a 'natural' filter. After getting my first lens (a FD50 mm F1.4 chrome nose), I was rather disappointed upon receiving my second (a New FD 28mm F2.8) because the build quality is weak compared to the older chrome noses (I thought the box with the 28mm was empty).
I kinda like the fact that it is rare and radioactive. Unfortunately I can't use the lens yet because my adapter is on its way from Poland. I'm thinking about keeping it just because I've become a fan of chrome noses. Would you return it or get some money back and bleach it? The lens is in excellent condition and has a nice warm feel to it... and the cool thing is that photos taken with it are supposed to glow in the dark.... :thumbsup:
The seller on eBay has graciously agreed to take the lens back or return some money (I paid 123.00 for the lens). These lenses are supposedly very rare and sought after by B&W photographers cause the yellow tint boosts contrast and is a 'natural' filter. After getting my first lens (a FD50 mm F1.4 chrome nose), I was rather disappointed upon receiving my second (a New FD 28mm F2.8) because the build quality is weak compared to the older chrome noses (I thought the box with the 28mm was empty).
I kinda like the fact that it is rare and radioactive. Unfortunately I can't use the lens yet because my adapter is on its way from Poland. I'm thinking about keeping it just because I've become a fan of chrome noses. Would you return it or get some money back and bleach it? The lens is in excellent condition and has a nice warm feel to it... and the cool thing is that photos taken with it are supposed to glow in the dark.... :thumbsup:
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No photographer likes to be stuck with a single forced filter. It is quite a sharp lens due to the thorium elements however, but as all thorium lenses it is known to yellow over age. The price you paid isn't extremely cheap for the lens, but isn't on the high side either. The choice is up to you. For me it would depend on the amount of yellowing, as not everything can be easily fixed by UV light.