Slightly fogged 50mm F1.8 lens - any economic cure?

[blodwyn]

I have a 50mm F1.8 Nikon lens I bought used years ago. Compared to the 18-200VR lens on my D200 it seems to have a fogginess when I look through the viewfinder. I guess it has developed some dust or a film on the internal optics which I presume could be cleaned. Does anyone have any idea how much this would cost? I have a feeling a new lens might be the more economic option but any other suggestions are appreciated.

TIA

 

[andiwm2003]

I have a 50mm F1.8 Nikon lens I bought used years ago. .................................. I have a feeling a new lens might be the more economic option but any other suggestions are appreciated.

TIA

my minolta 50mm f1.8 had focus problems. so i disassembled the bloody thing completely, cleaned it and put it together again. worked like a charm but cost me about 5 hrs. i assume the lenses are similar in the way they are built. check on google if there is a repair manual online.

if you're handy then try that first. seems you have nothing to lose because you would buy a new one anyway.

 

[Coheebuzz]

It sounds more like moisture than dust to me, but in both cases you need to take the lens to a service center to be taken apart, cleaned and then resealed.

I don't know how much that costs though.

EDIT: Just a thought, if it's indeed moisture then try putting the lens together with a lot of silica gel inside a box for a couple days. Hopefully the silica will absorb the moisture out of the lens. Wouldn't hurt to try it!

 

[failsafe1]

If it is moisture you can dry it out. I have done that by going outside and using the sun and drying it out that way. If it is fungus from moisture you are out of luck with an easy solution. One person said taking the lens apart is an option. You could try a heat source also.

 

[Bibulous]

I had a 40 year old Minolta 58mm f/1.4 MC cleaned up at a local shop for $50, a bit high considering the resale value of the lens, but worth it since this lens had sentimental value to me.

 

[blodwyn]

Hmm, I never thought of moisture so I'll try the drying option for a few days to see if that helps. If not then I think I'll try dismantling - I mean, what could possibly go wrong?

Thanks for the help

 

[Coheebuzz]

If you decide to take apart the lens here is a link that might help you out.

How to disassemble the Canon EF 50 1.8 II lens

It's for the Canon 50mm as you can see but the parts and procedure should be similar. But try the sun drying/silica gel first.

 

[blodwyn]

If you decide to take apart the lens here is a link that might help you out.

How to disassemble the Canon EF 50 1.8 II lens

It's for the Canon 50mm as you can see but the parts and procedure should be similar. But try the sun drying/silica gel first.

Thanks, my 50mm Nikon doesn't have any auto-focus stuff going on so hopefully it's pretty simple inside.