Mamiya black 55mm f/4.5 lens issues...

trials2k · Jul 28, 2011

Hey all,

So I won an auction for the black 55mm lens for my c330s a few weeks ago with the description that it was in Excellent+ condition, even from the photos it looked in great nick.

It arrived today and pretty quickly I discovered it wasn't in the condition it was said to be... very upsetting!

Main issue being that inside the taking lens I can see this odd marking, crazing or something on the elements. I am not too sure what it is but it definetely isnt supposed to be like that, i know that much. So will this affect the picture taking, the quality of the image?

Cheers

el wacho · Jul 28, 2011

feel your pain!

looks like fungus from the photos.

do yourself a favour though and shoot a few test shots, say, a normal scene like a white wall and a grey card. print the grey card in particular in the highest constrast you can and inspect for any anomolies. i've got a nikkor 200mm for my bronica that has fungus creeping in and i've never seen a difference with the fungus-less one i have. cheers.

madrad · Jul 28, 2011

you can actually unscrew the front lens assembly, and hopefully you can clean off the fungus. Hope it works!

trials2k · Jul 28, 2011

oh god... that really sucks.

I just unscrewed the front of the lens and I dont think the fungus is on the elements i can get to from unscrewing it like that...

I have just messaged the seller in hopes for a refund.. lets hope he is happy to, otherwise there will be some very bad feedback.

Smudger · Jul 28, 2011

I share your pain - these lenses can be very good if you get lucky. And it does look like fungus.If you want to get into it -the front lens group should unscrew - if the fungus has not etched (ruined) the glass an old tip is an application of cold cream may do the trick - or "Windex" (glass cleaner).
Some people report success in swapping the front group with the viewing lens assembly.

trials2k · Jul 28, 2011

the fungus is all over the rear element... almost covering the whole thing.... not looking good.

domaz · Jul 28, 2011

I haven't had much success cleaning fungus in coated lenses. The problem is the fungus usually etches the coating much quicker than it etches glass. So while older uncoated lenses clean off fine newer coated lenses suffer coating damage quickly.

Smudger · Jul 29, 2011

Fungus is a strange thing - I have cleaned lenses that were Dickensian in their squalor, and been defeated by others that looked "easy". It is a living organism :who knows what strain likes what ?
The O.P. should return this lens,if he/she can.
I happen to have 2 examples,and,after I have tested them to decide which is more "Razor-Sharp",I will offer one for sale. Not on this site,but my email is listed here.

trials2k · Jul 29, 2011

Yeah the seller has offered a full refund which is good. So ill be looking to get another 55mm replacement... in better condition this time!

Mamiya black 55mm f/4.5 lens issues...

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