Help me judge the condition of this lens?

[crumpet8]

Hey everyone,

Im looking at buying this lens but its hard to ascertain whether the marks are rub marks into the coating or just bad cleaning jobs that are actually just on the surface. Will they affect pictures anyway? Its a 35mm 645 Mamiya C lens so will be used for landscape and some high contrast scenes.

THe current owner is not being super helpful...

Thanks in advace,

Daniel

 

[crumpet8]

Hey again,

So I just got blown up by the seller after asking follow up questions to these rub marks so no need to help me out here. Though it would probably help in further lens endeavours (hopefully with sellers who arent so rude!). Sometimes I cant believe how rude people are to people they have never met!

 

[jeffreyg]

All the previously used equipment I have purchased has been from reputable sellers with return policies. If local take a test roll.

http://www.jeffreyglasser.com/

 

[resummerfield]

When a seller avoids clear, direct, and polite answers to questions, I would walk away from the sale. They're hiding something, and using their bad behavior to mask or avoid the issue.

 

[Kirks518]

All other things aside, I don;t see anything with the lens that would get me too worried. I've used much worse. The rub marks almost look like they'd come off with a proper cleaning. At the very worst, there may be a negligible reduction in contrast. If the price is right, I'd go for it.

 

[ambaker]

Although I like my glass surfaces to be pristine. The linked article below should be food for thought. I did have a camera topple off my backpack onto gravel and chipped the front element. It still takes a good picture but I really can't bring myself to use it. So I know how you feel.

http://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2008/10/front-element-scratches


-More cameras than brains... Sadly it didn't take very many.

 

[crumpet8]

Interesting to read your thoughts, and especially that article ambaker! I knew a few marks didnt do much but never expected a lens in that condition to produce a clear picture at all. I have the same attitude as resummerfield and left this one alone.

 

[mweintraub]

Of course, when I'm selling lenses that have tiny scratches that only appear when you shine a light through the back of the lens, people freak out like it's the end of the world and only offer $10. Meh.

 

[ic-racer]

I'd guess those marks are permanent, otherwise they would be removed for the sale.

 

[John Koehrer]

The mark at the 4 o'clock position looks like a fingerprint smear.
Guess it really doesn't matter if the guy's been a jerk though.

 

[Poisson Du Jour]

I have two pet hates about sellers of photographic equipment: an unhelpful, evasive attitude and mangled English. Of the two, evasive and unhelpful attitudes point to a more serious underlying problem. Put brain before heart and turn back now.

 

[paul ron]

those pictures dont show the glass condition.

too many surface reflections, no through the lens open aperture photos and he's being a jerk?... all red flags, unless the price is rediculously low to begin with.

if he gives you a return clause in writing then take a chance. i always give a return option and offer to split shipping costs.