This thread reminds me of the time, many, many years ago when I was at Art College. A photographer friend dismantled his telephoto lens in the college canteen and promptly dropped one of the elements in his mug of tea! He hastily re-assembled it and flogged it at a local camera shop before the lens coatings started to disintegrate!

if it is moister ian, they'll just mist up again.

modern high quality bins are sealed and filled with nitrogen to try and keep them free of the effects of moisture on the elements.

it's a can of worms you have in your hands.

Dear Paul
I only paid 4.00 pounds for them so if trying to fix them myself went wrong it wouldnt be a complete disaster. I notice you have to take 2 screws out at each end but even when the screws are out the parts dont come apart easily one would have to use a lot of force.
Would it be hard to put them back together with proper alignment
Ian

I think the problem would be in ensuring everything is aligned properly when you put them back together.
I have some Nikon Sporters which cost me about £100 and these recently got very wet and misted up inside one of the lenes. I enquired about getting them cleaned and discovered that the cost would be well in excess of £50 - due to the work involved in ensuring correct alignment. I therefore just went out and bought a better pair.

Hi Paul
Thanks for your reply.
I held them up at the front end and surprise surprise could see that inside the bins there is some dust and also slightly larger specs of debris.
I have heard the bins are not a terribly expensive pair, but am wondering whether opening up the bins and carefully cleaning out the lenses etc then re-assembling them might be helpful. I can see two small screws .I would be worried though that if I opened the case in this way after re-assembly the bins might not work at all
Your kind advice in this matter would be appreciated
Thanks
Ian

hi ian

if you hold them up towards a window and look in at the front end does there seem to be any moisture or such on any of the inner elements?

is the 'mistiness' you describe equal in both sides?

it might be that what you are describing is just lens flare and or chromatic abrasion, which you won't fix.

Dear Forum I have just purchased second hand a pair of old binoculars. The are lieberman and Gortz 7X50 bins which I got for next to nothing. The bins are in really good shape but when you use them the image is just a little misty . The lens seem to be in good shape from the outside and there is no double vision. They appear to be a good quality brand and I am wondering whether it might be worthwhile to try and get them refurbished. Perhaps if it was just the case that there is some dust that got inside the bins it would be a simple matter for someone with the know-how to dismantle them and clean them out. On the other hand does anyone know if these bins are unlikely to be improved by some treatment. Perhaps the lens are worn I dont know - they look alright to me from the outside but I am not knowledgeable about these matters. If anyone could advise I would be most grateful Yours sincerely Ian