Need advice on "dirty" lense?

[The_Natural]

First time poster. This question is a general one. I use digital but mostly shoot film with my Canon A1, which I love. (not sure if this is a digital only forum). I recently bought on e-bay a 75-300mm lens for it. It was used, talked via e-mail to the owners, asked questions, etc, where very nice. Got the lense for $40. I was only one of two people who bid on it because there where scratches on the body and 2 missing screws. I took a gamble, seller said missing screws do not hurt the function, which they don't so far.

The problem is the lense, or glass? at the end of the body is extremly dirty and scrathced a few places. I'm talking the second "inner" lens/glass at the end of the body. It seems almost like it's "courroded", a bunch of tiny dots, looks weather realted. When looking through the view-finder, it's hazy, doesn't look good at all. I'm not really new to photography, but new to equipment, and terminology so excuse me for that. I have always just used my Canon A-1 and the 50mm lense is came with, (which gets dusty at times but doesn't look like this.)

This may be one of those things that doesn't show up in the developed pictures. I can't believe the seller didn't mention this, if it is in fact a big problem, So much for a bargin I guess.

Any Advice?

[Jon]

If it looks hazy through the viewfinder, it'll look hazy on the film. Probably even worse than you're eyeballing it as. You're saying that the pitting is on the innermost lens element, the one at the lens mount end? If so, that certainly shouldn't be showing damage unless it was seriously mishandled. The missing screws might also be an indication of some other pieces that are loose inside, like lens elements out of position, which would also degrade the image.

[The_Natural]

Inner most lense at the far end of the lens itself, not the end that attaches to the camera. On this lense there is def. "pitting" on the lense. The "haze" looks almost like a "filter" lense. Pitting is the right word though, what could have caused this?

[Sam North]

I stopped buying second-hand lenses years ago mainly because of the condition of internal elements. My advice is, save and buy a new lens if you can.

The problem is often mould, excessive dust, or maybe a film of crud built up over the years (the latter more of an issue with smokers' lenses). This will significantly degrade image quality. It’s expensive to get the inside elements properly cleaned. You’ll never see the full extent of it by just looking through the lens out a window. Shine a powerful torch through the internal elements – chances you’re in for a shock with many second-hand lenses (watch your eyes!).

I was passing my local photography shop one day and noticed bad condensation in the window where new boxed lenses were displayed. Not good for business!

Sam