Mystery Lens

Cricketboy · Feb 4, 2011

I got this lens for about $20 awhile ago at an antique shop for my Pentax K1000. I have a lens made by "Rokina." Number 30300988. I've heard of Rokinon, but not Rokina. There was a 67mm Rokinon filter on the lens when I got it. The filter and lens were both made in Japan. It also came with an unmarked case. I was wondering if anyone knew anything about Rokina lenses.

There is also some fungus (I think) that looks like it has grown on one of the inner elements, whould this greatly effect image quality? There are some photos of it.

1

2

3 Image taken with the above.

dxqcanada · Feb 4, 2011

I have not heard of this brand ... but it could also be a re-branded lens that was made by a different company.

Yes, anything on the lens elements will affect the image.
To what degree ... depends on how far the fungus has/will spread.
The image will be softer.

Cricketboy · Feb 4, 2011

dxqcanada said:
...To what degree ... depends on how far the fungus has/will spread.
The image will be softer.

Image 3 is an image taken with this lens.

dxqcanada · Feb 4, 2011

Fungus eats the multi-coating on the lens.
I have seen worse ... covering the entire element ... makes for cheap soft focus lens.

mjhoward · Feb 4, 2011

I would keep that lens away from all the rest of your photo gear. I think the fungus can spread to your other equipment if you store them together.

Cricketboy · Feb 4, 2011

mjhoward said:
I would keep that lens away from all the rest of your photo gear. I think the fungus can spread to your other equipment if you store them together.

I heard a tip somewhere that I could store one of those packets of silica gel in my camera bag to keep any moisture out. I have one in my bag now, would it be a good idea to keep it in there?

mjhoward · Feb 5, 2011

^I've never had to deal with growing fungus on a lens so I'm not sure, but I know I wouldn't risk it

dxqcanada · Feb 5, 2011

Fungus and Camera Lenses

Cricketboy · Feb 5, 2011

Thanks for the help! That article "cleared up" some things up about fungus.

Nobody knows about "Rokina" lenses? I will be getting a 50mm prime lens sometime soon anyway. I don't find myself using this lens as much as my telephoto anyway. In the mean time I'll be storing it away from my other lenses as a precaution.