How does that Nikon lens look?

Kowloon

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Hello everyone,

I just bought a Nikon lens 35mm f/2 off ebay and I am getting a bit skeptical when I see what I think is haze inside it.

[Opt COMME NEUF avec étui] Objectif grand angle Nikon AF NIKKOR 35 mm f/2 D du JAPON | eBay

Les meilleures offres pour [Opt COMME NEUF avec étui] Objectif grand angle Nikon AF NIKKOR 35 mm f/2 D du JAPON sont sur eBay ✓ Comparez les prix et les spécificités des produits neufs et d'occasion ✓ Pleins d'articles en livraison gratuite!
www.ebay.fr

The seller did not mention anything about those droplets and I wonder if it is a big of a deal or if I should return it and ask for a refund. It's so obvious to see when shining a light trough it that I feel kinda tricked.

Appreciate any help.


 

koraks

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That doesn't look like haze at all, but some form of separation. Is that actually within the optical path, or where the lens is glued inside the barrel? The latter is common in large format lenses and often referred to as "Schneideritis" since it's common in Schneider lenses. If the bubbles are actually between lens elements, it's a separation problem with deterioration of the cement used to glue together lens elements within one of the groups. It's a major defect if this is the case, and really should have been indicated in the description. I checked the photos in the ad and it's not visible in those (as you noted), which can be due to how they're taken (angle & background).

In any case, if you're not satisfied, I'd just get in touch with the seller and point out you're not happy with the purchase and indicate the reason.
 
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Kowloon

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Thanks for the speedy answer. To me, it looks like it is happening right in the middle of the lens.
 

BrianShaw

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Often shining light through an older lens shows "defects" that are quite normal or expected for the age of the lens, such as dust and minor bubbles in glass; these "defects" may not be obvious when looking at the lens in a more customary manner. In this case, this seems like a bit more than "normal". It is important to note that it takes considerable defect in the glass to visibly impact the resulting images. Only testing will give a clear idea as to the acceptability of this particiular lens' performance.

Alternatively, one could flip this lens by advertizing it as the rare soft-focus version of the Nikkor 2/35.
 
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Kowloon

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Thanks @BrianShaw, actually I do not really mind the thing. The questions I am asking to myself are indeed if it will not affect the pictures and especially worsen throughout the years given the fact that I have absolutely no idea what it is.

On a side note, what is the soft-focus you refer to?
 

koraks

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Kowloon said:
To me, it looks like it is happening right in the middle of the lens.
Click to expand...

Ok, well, that's something that's really best evaluated in person, because photos can be deceptive with effects like these. But if it's indeed in the middle of the optical arrangement, it's a problem that in my opinion should not occur in a lens sold as being in 'mint' condition.

Kowloon said:
if it will not affect the pictures and especially worsen throughout the years
Click to expand...

1: It will contribute to fog mostly, and have a more minor detrimental effect on sharpness. How badly it's visible, I can't say. Especially when shooting against strong light sources I would expect this problem to be visible in the images.
2: It likely will get worse over the years. It got to this state; there's no reason why the deterioration would magically stop here.
 

BrianShaw

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Kowloon said:
On a side note, what is the soft-focus you refer to?
Click to expand...

Soft focus - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

How to Master That Soft Focus Look

Soft focus photography gives your images that dreamy, soft look and we’ll explain the various ways you can master it with lenses and filters.
www.studiobinder.com

Softar is a filter made by Hasselblad, Heliopan and B&W.

OK. I'm talking about myself here. I shot all these Softar images. So don't get upset and think I'm talking about anyone else and their images.
www.anatomyfilms.com

I was joking about a "rare Nikkor soft focus lens"...
 

BrianShaw

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Personally speaking... unless the price of this lens was a bargain-basement steal I'd inform the seller of the situation, express dissatisfaction, and submit a return claim... not so much because it was advertized as "mint" but because, as you say, there is no telling what the future may bring in terms of getting worse. "Not as advertized" is a valid reason since there was no way to discern the condition issue from the ad. There should be plenty of 35 f/2 Nikkors out there.

One thing I must say... if you bought it on March 6 and already have it (only a couple of days later), then this seller is more responsive than any I've ever bought from!
 
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neilt3

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Sold as mint and sent a lemon !

Send it back .
There are times where it will be unusable in certain light , mainly direct light .
Soft focus , low contrast , excess flair ...
Wait for another to turn up who's optics are clear .
 

Russ - SVP

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Return it. It will only get worse.
 

BradS

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WOW! No. Return it for a full refund. That's totally unacceptable.
 

Huss

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You lot are so picky. Next thing you'll be complaining about your new camera scratching film.
 

BradS

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Huss said:
You lot are so picky. Next thing you'll be complaining about your new camera scratching film.
Click to expand...

If I were a rich man
...
I'd build a big, tall house with rooms by the dozen
Right in the middle of the town
A fine tin roof with real wooden floors below
There would be one long staircase just going up
And one even longer coming down
And one more leading nowhere, just for show
 

snusmumriken

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While you await a reply from the seller, try putting it in a warm place with some silica gel (which you should reactivate first in a slow oven). When I worked outdoors in the north European winter I used to get condensation droplets in my binoculars that looked just like that, but they would clear up without leaving a mark on gentle warming. Worth a try?
 
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Kowloon

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Thank you all! I will send it back (if the seller doesn't complicate things) and I will be on the hunt for a better one.
 

neilt3

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Kowloon said:
Thank you all! I will send it back (if the seller doesn't complicate things) and I will be on the hunt for a better one.
Click to expand...

Follow eBay's returns process for returning goods that are faulty / not as discribed .
You'll be able to print off a prepaid and tracked shipping label , then just post it back .
They then have a short time in which to issue the full refund .
Make sure you take plenty of pictures of it , and include them on the returns request.
Any messing about by the seller and you just escalate it to eBay's resolution centre and they will issue the full refund .
Don't take any crap from the seller , they know it shouldn't look like that in a lens , that's why the took all the shots at an odd angle to hide the fact .
Probably hoping the buyer wouldn't notice when they were too eager to mount it on their camera !
 

Russ - SVP

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Yikes! That will have an affect on image quality. Return it.
 

ic-racer

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I have had lenses with patterns like that. In my experience it was due to defect or damage to the coating. It did not 'wipe off.' I'd return that and look for another.
 

RalphLambrecht

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return it immediately. this is not normal and a real image quality effecting defect! As someone already stated. It's a defect with the lens cement and is very hard if not impossible toto repair
 
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