Bought a lens with scratches, haze (?) and fungus (?) should I keep it?

Valentins_Visuals · Aug 11, 2022

Hi everyone,
I picked up a Contax G1 body for 200€ almost one year ago, but all the lenses I found online were well over 300€ (except the 90mm which I have no interest in). I had the chance to test my G1 through a friend who borrowed me his 45mm lens and the body is in great working condition.

A couple of days ago, I found a 28mm Bigon lens for 200€ and decided to buy it. It arrived yesterday and I looked at it today. The seller said that the lens was in a really good condition, without any scratches, fungus or haze. While checking the lens with a flashlight, I discovered some scratches and other particles on the lens. (I attached the photos below)

Since I am really no expert, I wanted to ask for an opinion. The owner nicely offered me to either refund me or to make a discount of 50€ if I want to keep the lens.
Do you think the condition of the glass will affect image quality? And is there a fungus/haze that might spread?

All the best and thank you so much for helping me out,
Valentin

BrianShaw · Aug 11, 2022

Take the 50 euros and run!

Sirius Glass · Aug 11, 2022

BrianShaw said:
Take the 50 euros and run!

Run even faster! Small surface scratches if not deep will not make a difference.

cramej · Aug 11, 2022

Those scratches look pretty significant. Can you feel them with your fingernail? And that looks like more than just some dust on the middle element. Flashlight tests always disappoint but this shows the seller was was trying to pass off a bad lens as good. Looking at the $300 lenses on ebay, they would be worth it over this. Not sure it would even be a $150 (or Euro) lens if those scratches are more than just in the coating. If this was from ebay, I'd return it on principle for being a shady seller.

pentaxuser · Aug 11, 2022

How long do you have to test the lens before the rules of e-bay covering the seller's offer to refund mean that he can withdraw his offer of a refund or how long do you have to start a complaint procedure?

If you have long enough to test lens then your course of action is simple; test then decide if you want a refund or reduction of 50 euros.

If you can't test then surely a refund is sensible. A 50 euros reduction is surely not the right decision if all you will get are negs that will never look right?

It is impossible for anyone here to know how bad the lens is in terms of its effect on the negatives so our advice about either keeping it or returning it, is surely of no value, isn't it?

It is of course your choice. I hope you can make the right choice

pentaxuser

railwayman3 · Aug 11, 2022

cramej said:
Those scratches look pretty significant. Can you feel them with your fingernail? And that looks like more than just some dust on the middle element. Flashlight tests always disappoint but this shows the seller was was trying to pass off a bad lens as good. Looking at the $300 lenses on ebay, they would be worth it over this. Not sure it would even be a $150 (or Euro) lens if those scratches are more than just in the coating. If this was from ebay, I'd return it on principle for being a shady seller.

I'd agree, return it. You obviously have (justifiable) doubts and would probably never feel 100% happy with this lens. It does seem that the seller was trying-it-on in the hope that someone would not have the knowledge or patience to see the problems, so be pleased that your own caution and good advice here worked out.

Helge · Aug 12, 2022

Scratches like this will catch the sun. Plus debris/haze will lower contrast.
No doubt, return it.

BradS · Aug 12, 2022

The flashlight test is just brutal. You really need to do the same test to a bunch of other lenses that you've used and are familiar with to evaluate the test result shown here. To me, it doesn't look too bad. I'd take the 50 and be happy but...as others have implied, it depends upon your temperament. If you're always going to have doubts about this lens, also known as a loss of confidence failure, then definitely return it (even though it is going to give perfectly fine photos).

BrianShaw · Aug 12, 2022

Brad’s comment on “the flashlight test” is absolutely correct. It’s not “just brutal” but often very misleading. I cringe when people do this expecting that older lenses will be free of flaws., or surpassed when a few flaws are seen. Please do as he suggests and put the flashlight behind your best or most favorite lens(es)… it will be revealing enough to make you quit photography and take up watercolors.

Helge · Aug 12, 2022

BradS said:
The flashlight test is just brutal. You really need to do the same test to a bunch of other lenses that you've used and are familiar with to evaluate the test result shown here. To me, it doesn't look too bad. I'd take the 50 and be happy but...as others have said, it depends upon your temperment. If you're always going to have doubts about this lens, also known as a loss of confidence failure, then definitely return it (even though it is going to give perfectly fine photos).

Problem is a 28 will probably show more defects from scratches than longer lenses.
Dust is unfortunately unavoidable. But a lot plus possibly hairs will lower contrast.

No dust in an old lens is in fact cause to worry, and a cue to check carefully if the seller has “been in there” to sweeten a dust carpeted lens.

Haze is a no go though.
Let the seller get that cleaned, with papers from a reputable repair person.
Don’t ever, ever buy a “project” at anything but very low prices.
I’d say €70 is the very maximum I’d pay for something like this if it’s a bad a it seems in the photos.

TheFlyingCamera · Aug 12, 2022

The camera is one of the absolute jewels of the photography world. Back when I shot 35mm on a regular basis, I had a G1 and a G2, and the 21/28/35/45/90 lenses. That was my travel kit. Took it across the US, to Barcelona and to Buenos Aires. For a camera like that, I would not settle for anything less than perfect on the lenses (cosmetic wear on the barrel is fine, but optically pristine and 100% mechanical function are non-negotiable to me). It would be one thing if you bought that lens knowing and expecting the condition it is in, but if it were me, I'd always be unhappy every time I looked at it. Send it back and keep shopping.

guangong · Aug 12, 2022

Scratches vs scratch. I have a 28mm Nikkor with a scratch across the face. I have a Hasselblad lens with a very deep scratch of front element. I was able to buy both lenses for practically nothing and use not effected. Scratches

guangong · Aug 12, 2022

are something else. Also “cleaning marks” degrade lens. If more than one scratch I would return lens.
(My little finger involuntary hits the reply button)

Valentins_Visuals · Aug 14, 2022

Thanks everyone for your replies, suggestions and tips! I decided to keep the lens and ask for the 50€ discount. At the end of the day I will finally have a lens for my G1 and I can use the camera and see if I like it enough to keep it. Since the lens has the original lenshood, lenscap and the leather pouch I am sure that I will easily be able to resell it for 150€ in this condition if I am unhappy with the results or choose to get rid of the camera in general.

Also, I did what BradS suggested and did the flashlight test on some of my other lenses and I noticed that some of them are also not perfect at all, but I love the results I get from them.

So thanks again everyone!

Alan Edward Klein · Aug 14, 2022

Scratches and marks on the back lens are more critical because they're closest to the film.

Helge · Aug 14, 2022

Valentins_Visuals said:
Thanks everyone for your replies, suggestions and tips! I decided to keep the lens and ask for the 50€ discount. At the end of the day I will finally have a lens for my G1 and I can use the camera and see if I like it enough to keep it. Since the lens has the original lenshood, lenscap and the leather pouch I am sure that I will easily be able to resell it for 150€ in this condition if I am unhappy with the results or choose to get rid of the camera in general.

Also, I did what BradS suggested and did the flashlight test on some of my other lenses and I noticed that some of them are also not perfect at all, but I love the results I get from them.

So thanks again everyone!

As long as you are ok with wondering how much better every roll you put through the camera could have looked, with losing money when selling to get a good version and supporting a grifter in opportunistic fishing then fine. I guess.

gone · Aug 14, 2022

That is a lens I would send back. It looks more like fog/haze/fungus to me, and what I see will affect IQ.

Bought a lens with scratches, haze (?) and fungus (?) should I keep it?

Valentins_Visuals

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Bought a lens with scratches, haze (?) and fungus (?) should I keep it?

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