Fuji GW690II miss-aligned lens?

[JelleSE]

Hi!
New to the forum but long(-ish) time photographer. I've used mostly digital systems but have recently found I'd like to 'simplify' things and get down to the photograph more than the technology. So I started using film! I love the more ...romantic and genuine look of film.

I've been shooting and developing 35mm B&W for several months, but as a lanscape photographer I wanted bigger negatives. So I researched the interwebs and purchased me a Fuji GW690II 6x9 rangefinder on Ebay from a seller in Japan.

But as soon as I got it I noticed that the extending part of the lens is not completely straight. At least that's what it looks like. As if it has been dropped and got miss-aligned or something, but I can't see any serious damage on the outside of the camera. The lens barrel 'sticks out' about 1mm more on the right side. It still feels buttery smooth when focussing though. Incredibly smooth. But I'm worried it might give uneven sharpness across the frame. Anyone have one of these camera's and can see how your lens looks? How much will this possibly affect the sharpness?

The lens also has way more dust then I'd like and I wonder how this will affect the photographs. It almost looks like a layer of dust on 2 elements inside the lens.
I've added some images to show the issues. And since I paid both shipping and customs I'd rather not send it back (and pay more shipping) if not necessary.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Dan Fromm]

Not to be a complete idiiot, but isn't that a sliding lens hood?

 

[Huss]

The sliding lens hood does not matter if it is slightly off. But that is way too much dust in the lens. Normally you only see dust under close scrutiny and that is ok. But to see so much of it so easily from a distance? That will create hazy low contrast shots, and may increase flare. I'd send it back.
Interestingly enough, I've had to send two GW690 cameras back to their Japanese ebay sellers, as they both were functionally deficient due to poor handling/storage (fungus and haze).
Bought one locally to me that was fine.

Good luck!

 

[shutterfinger]

I would run a roll or two of film through it doing some careful test with the camera on a sturdy tripod and lens wide open of a brick wall or similar to check evenness of exposure and focus.
If you decide to keep it get one of these lens spanner wrenches
http://www.ebay.com/itm/3-Tips-Span...600937?hash=item25a8ca01a9:g:DTwAAOSwjVVVjVnK
and disassemble the lens and clean it.
The notches in the outer edge of the ribbed ring on the lens front is for a spanner wrench and it should be standard right hand thread. Pay close attention to direction the element faces and any shims under each element. The retainer rings may have a threadlocker similar to clear nail polish that will dissolve with nail polish remover. I saturate a cotton swab then use it to moisten the threaded edge of the retainer ring then let it sit for a few minutes before attempting to unscrew.

 

[JelleSE]

Not to be a complete idiiot, but isn't that a sliding lens hood?

No, it's not the lenshood that is off. That would not matter at all. It is the lens itself.

 

[KeithM]

Below is a photo of the area in question from my GW690II. I have moved the hood out of the way to remove it from the equation. The area under discussion appears to be slightly different on my camera, but everything is parallel.

PS - some examples of what the lens is capable of

 

[Theo Sulphate]

No, it's not the lenshood that is off. That would not matter at all. It is the lens itself.

That's right - the front part of the lens itself is skewed. My bet is that someone took it apart and that also explains the excessive dust.

 

[Huss]

That's right - the front part of the lens itself is skewed. My bet is that someone took it apart and that also explains the excessive dust.

Ahh, now I see it. And I agree with Theo. Someone took it apart in a dusty environment and was sloppy putting it back together.
If it was mine, I would have sent it back yesterday. This is not a rare camera to find one that has not been molestered.

 

[JelleSE]

Thanks for all your input!