65mm for Mamaiya 7 w/filter ring dent

[Terence]

I have the oportunity to pick up a 65mm lens for my Mamiya 7II for about $150 below the "going rate" for a lens in otherwise great condition. The only problem is a filter ring dent that has been partially fixed. I can screw on a filter about a half turn before it binds. With the friction of binding it is more than enough to hold the filter on. The lens appears to shoot fine. The negs appear sharp.

The question is, with a firm price, is it worth it, or should I spend the extra $150 for a lens without the dent? I know it's obviously a personal decision, but what would YOU do?

 

[jd callow]

Is the filter ring damaged beyond repair? Do you use filters? If so are you willing to have a permenent filter adapter attached -- which may wind up exceeding the 150.00 discount? I have a 75mm nikkor with a bent filter ring and a cokin adapter fused in place. It is less than ideal, but fits my needs. On a camera that is handheld, like the mamiya, I wouldn't want it, but that may only apply to me.

 

[Early Riser]

The 65mm is a slightly wide angle lens on the Mamiya, so therefore having to use a permanent filter adapter, or not being able to fully screw down a filter means that you may start having vignetting problems if you use more than one filter. It also means that the special lens shade made for the lens may no longer fit on it with or without the filter adapter.

 

[Terence]

Filters will fit on it as is. They won't screw down all the way, but they screw down securely where it binds on the dent. I shoot B&W and use yellow and orange filters. From that point of view, it's a little awkward but usable, assuming I don't screw it into the dent so tight I can't remove the filter.

 

[John Koehrer]

Advantage, save $150.
Downside, lower resale, inability to stack filters, poorer cosmetics.
I've opted for similar items in the past & always had other use for the $150 saved. Never regretted the bent filter rings. Right now I've got a 135/2 FD lens in the same situation & it doesn't bother me. Does it bother you?
If you've shot the lens & it works for you, celebrate!

 

[Christopher Walrath]

I would go for it. Picked up a 80mm Sekor C for my M645j last year with bad dent on the thread edge of the lens. It was cheap enough ($20 USD + S/H) so I got a set of channel locks and pried out the threads little by little until I could thread an adapter in. I can take the adapter out and I have a reversing coupler that I use only with this lens for macro. It was an UGLY dent but I made it happen. For the drop in quid from the going rate, sounds like you can't afford not to take a crack at it. MHO