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

Frank Dean,  Blacksmith

A
Frank Dean, Blacksmith

  • 5
  • 3
  • 45
Woman wearing shades.

Woman wearing shades.

  • 0
  • 1
  • 52
Curved Wall

A
Curved Wall

  • 5
  • 0
  • 81
Crossing beams

A
Crossing beams

  • 9
  • 1
  • 104
Shadow 2

A
Shadow 2

  • 5
  • 1
  • 75

Recent Classifieds

Forum statistics

Threads
198,840
Messages
2,781,684
Members
99,725
Latest member
saint_otrott
Recent bookmarks
0

trials2k

Member
Joined
Oct 6, 2010
Messages
18
Location
Melbourne, A
Format
Multi Format
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?

lensmarkingscopy.jpg


Cheers
 

el wacho

Member
Joined
May 12, 2007
Messages
433
Location
central anat
Format
Medium Format
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

Member
Joined
Mar 9, 2010
Messages
1
Format
Medium Format
you can actually unscrew the front lens assembly, and hopefully you can clean off the fungus. Hope it works!
 
OP
OP
trials2k

trials2k

Member
Joined
Oct 6, 2010
Messages
18
Location
Melbourne, A
Format
Multi Format
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

Member
Joined
Aug 9, 2004
Messages
303
Location
Dunedin,New Zealand
Format
Multi Format
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.
 

domaz

Member
Joined
Nov 2, 2007
Messages
572
Location
Tacoma, WA
Format
Multi Format
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

Member
Joined
Aug 9, 2004
Messages
303
Location
Dunedin,New Zealand
Format
Multi Format
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.
 
Photrio.com contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.
To read our full affiliate disclosure statement please click Here.

PHOTRIO PARTNERS EQUALLY FUNDING OUR COMMUNITY:



Ilford ADOX Freestyle Photographic Stearman Press Weldon Color Lab Blue Moon Camera & Machine
Top Bottom