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Nikon 8x30 EII - Strange Issue Inside Lens? (1 Viewer)

Sirpotato

Sirpotato

Active member
Australia
Hello,

I just received my pair of used Nikon 8x30 EII today and did a torch check inside to make sure all is ok and noticed some weird stuff on the inside...I want to say its adhesive but want to be sure but it looks like its on the mirror possibly? It doesn't look like fungus. They seem in great condition other than that and a odd spec of dust.

Doesn't affect the view whatsoever but its on both sides in 2 similar spots.

Any ideas?

IMG20240510114833.jpg

IMG20240510114838.jpg

IMG20240510114748.jpg

IMG20240510114824.jpg
 
Looks like lens fungus to me. If unsealed binoculars like the EII are stored in the dark, and they get moisture inside, they will for sure get lens fungus. How old are they, and where did you get them from? Did they come from a country with a humid climate? Sometimes the fungus will permanently etch the coatings of the lenses. Dust gets inside the unsealed binoculars, and it contains mold spores, which turn into mold as soon as a little bit of moisture gets inside them.
 
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[email protected] said:
Looks like lens fungus to me. If unsealed binoculars like the EII are stored in the dark, and they get moisture inside, they will for sure get lens fungus. How old are they, and where did you get them from? Did they come from a country with a humid climate? Sometimes the fungus will permanently etch the coatings of the lenses.
Click to expand...
I got them shipped from Japan and they seem to have come from near Tokyo (Narita?) - so not too sure on age. Serial no is 805378 so I'm guessing a mid-run.

Ahh so they'll very likely need a service to stop it progressing? Luckily it doesn't affect the view at the moment!

Heres a closer photo

IMG_20240510_123412.jpg
 
dries1 said:
Can you send them back for a refund?
Click to expand...
I was considering it unless I could get them repaired/cleaned, they were off Amazon Japan so I don't think a refund would be difficult to get.

I just wish I knew what that stuff was on the prism. If it wouldn't get worse I'd just keep them.
 
I'm leaning toward fungus. There's a good chance either condition will worsen over age, so another vote for returning.
BTW: some manufacturers will not work on binoculars with fungus.
 
on the dark side, I seem to recall a recent Japan buy of an EII from a reputable shop and the buyer had a similar problem- apparently new older stock that was stored poorly- the conditions were ripe for a fungal growth.
As to "Balsam separation"- they use synthetic now adhesive- far more durable (if harder to repair) I was wondering if they use adhesive to fix the prism in the slot which if over applied might have a similar appearance. Try shining an LED light through the eyepiece and examine the area again from the objective side while moving the LED around in the eyepiece. It might change o your perceptions. Pat
 
Thanks everyone, I ended up lodging a return request...Knew it was too good to be true for the price I got them for!
pat mitchel said:
on the dark side, I seem to recall a recent Japan buy of an EII from a reputable shop and the buyer had a similar problem- apparently new older stock that was stored poorly- the conditions were ripe for a fungal growth.
As to "Balsam separation"- they use synthetic now adhesive- far more durable (if harder to repair) I was wondering if they use adhesive to fix the prism in the slot which if over applied might have a similar appearance. Try shining an LED light through the eyepiece and examine the area again from the objective side while moving the LED around in the eyepiece. It might change o your perceptions. Pat
Click to expand...
Thats a very frustrating experience too, especially if they were new!

The photos I took above were via the objective looking down into the body. I did think it could be adhesive at first but, I noticed the blob of adhesive they use to fix the prism is towards the front of the body when looking in and it has a solid appearance.

It did give me a chance to atleast compare them to my main set of bins the Fuji 8x42 HC. I could tell the Nikon are definitely sharper and wider with a nicer colour to objects with that slight 3D effect, but surprisingly not as big a difference as I thought...The weight reduction was my main reason for getting the Nikon though!
 
I'm inclined to agree with Pat Mitchel's idea that this is prism fixing adhesive paste that got pushed through the edge of the prism shelf opening to the other side of the shelf and then spread out a little along the shelf surface. If so, it's harmless. Photos taken through the eyepiece should reveal whether it's actually impinging on the light transmitting surfaces of the prisms. I don't think it's as far back as the eyepiece lenses which have the only cemented surfaces that could be visible in these views and it doesn't resemble any fungus I've ever seen.
 
henry link said:
I'm inclined to agree with Pat Mitchel's idea that this is prism fixing adhesive paste that got pushed through the edge of the prism shelf opening to the other side of the shelf and then spread out a little along the shelf surface. If so, it's harmless. Photos taken through the eyepiece should reveal whether it's actually impinging on the light transmitting surfaces of the prisms. I don't think it's as far back as the eyepiece lenses which have the only cemented surfaces that could be visible in these views and it doesn't resemble any fungus I've ever seen.
Click to expand...
I tried to get some better photos, it does seem very far back in the body of the Binocular. It really does look like something peeling/adhesive like though - so could very well be seperation of some kind

Screenshot_2024-05-11-13-13-53-51_e55d67e6190e80b161828c9e2aa77e01.jpg

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This is the adhesive I think people note in the EII

Screenshot_2024-05-11-13-22-41-07_99c04817c0de5652397fc8b56c3b3817.jpg

Then this is the issue with mine that as you can see is deep inside the body. However upon looking closer with my headtorch on and through a pair of 8.5x papilio it actually seems this is old dried adhesive on the black part of the body, it doesn't appear to be on the lens as the black surrounding has a matt finish ad you can see in the photo below...It does give the impression its on the prism due to the reflections but the papilio cut them away (+1 win for Pentax!)...I'm actually starting to think they may be ok after all!!! I messaged a local repair guy and he said I could bring them into him on the 14th which still gives me time to return it need be!

Screenshot_2024-05-11-13-22-37-58_99c04817c0de5652397fc8b56c3b3817.jpg
 
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