Will lens separation grow or affect image quality.

[eric_shaver]

I have a couple of days to approve purchase of a Schneider 300mm f5.6 Apo-Symmar. It has never been used yet has 8-10 1mm sized areas of lens element separation around the edges in the front portion of the lens. Will this affect image quality and is it likely to grow worse with time?

[ron_shaw]

If the separation is only on the outer edge, it will most likely be

diaphramed out when you stop down the aperture to shoot, so it

probably has no effect on image quality. It may indeed get worse with

time. It can be repaired if it gets bad enough ( I believe Steve

Grimes offers this service).

[alan_gibson]

If this lens really is unused, but has this problem, I would be wary

of it, as it might have other problems (such as element alignment)

that are not immediately visible. But if your test shots don't show

any problem, and the price is low enough, it might be years before

the lens deteriorates further.