second defective lens I buy

[jaimeb82]

hi, my first one was the 65mm sekor for the Mamiya Universal Super 23. I got a CLA for it $120 plus tax. Two days ago I got a 90mm for the same camera for $55 out of that fantastic site. Well everything works but the diafragm (the aperture) is not moving from 3.5. I looks like glued to that position.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&item=280319356527


The seller said lens was totally functional, he told me something must had happened during the shipping.

Do I get it serviced and rescue this lens or do I send it back to seller?

 

[Moopheus]

That seller probably has no idea what "totally functional" means for a lens. Often the case with nonspecialist sellers--they really have no clue, and they don't really care much, either.

I just assume that anything I get on ebay is probably going to need repair at some point, if not right away.

 

[archphoto]

How many are there on ebay of this type ???.......
An other CLA......

I have had the same problems, sometimes I buy them as "for parts, with good glass" as I can do the CLA myself.

And yes, sellers don't care.

Peter

 

[Jayd]

Old lens and camera buying

One question to ask that will help you not get stuck with a sticky lens: ask if there is any oil or discoloration on the aperture leaves and don't buy if there is, also most users who know the lens can manually try the stop down on most lenses by pushing the stop down lever or you can tell them how to do it, this goes for leaf shutters as well. Before you send the lens off try letting it warm up a bit like set it on a heat register or radiator for short while just enough to raise it above room temperature but not more than it would get outside on a hot day and see if it will work, if so work all the f stops several times then let it cool and try again. Occasionally once you get it broke loose it will keep working.
I often post in the eBay Photo forum that one can expect that any camera or lens over 10 years old is going to need some service unless warranted otherwise. Cameras and lenses are complex machines that don't age gracefully, people thing because it looks like new and has been just sitting in it's case for 20 or more years it will work like new when the opposite is the truth. Unused the lubricants get gummy and stiff. Even a vintage camera or lens that appears to be working is very unlikely to have accurate shutter speeds. Another thing that happens with cameras and lenses is they will work when warm but not when cold due to the lubricants reacting to the temperature.
I hope this is helpful
Jay

 

[John Koehrer]

If you take a close look at the picture it appears there's a shadow on the blades. This is probably oil from an incomplete flush cleaning. When a lens is flush cleaned, some of the solvent doesn't evaporate & remains as liquid in the edge of the housing. After a brief time this migrates onto the blades & causes them to stick.
The solution is a proper cleaning.

 

[jimgalli]

Send it back. 90's are common as dirt. It was the lens that was shipped with almost every Mamiya 23 standard. Only eclipsed by the 100 3.5 that came with every Super 23. Both are superb lenses but common. May as well get a working one for your $$$

 

[mgb74]

This is the earlier version with the Seikosha shutter; as I understand parts are no longer available (except when salvaged from another shutter). So I would definitely send it back.

 

[eddie gunks]

send it back. the seller is a power seller so e bay makes them jump through a few extra hoops top keep the status. i think part of it is returns, shipping costs etc.

if he gives you a hassle just leave him some neg. feedback....that will definitely hurt his PS status.

 

[Christopher Walrath]

Send it back. I had a run of two 135mm Sekor C lenses a couple of years ago form different sellers and both were bad. I swore off the Sekor C 135. Out of principle.

However both willingly took the lenses back. Why keep crap or pay for it twice with a CLA?

 

[jaimeb82]

thanks for the feedback, I am sending it back, now the lens does strange things, it doesn't even move the shutter.

 

[Jayd]

More used lens & camera Buying tips and resources

I have to agree with everyone else get your money back, and use what you have learned to buy a good one. If it's doing strange things not just sticky it may not be repairable. I really don't think you will have any trouble returning it, normally you don't get the shipping cost back but you should get the full purchase price. Another thing to ask along with is the glass clear and scratch free, is: does it smell? A lens or camera with a strong musty or mildew odor is not one you want. Many times I'll sum my questions by asking: are there any defects other than minor cosmetic ones? If they say no then I have grounds to return it if anything does not work right even if I forgot to ask about the specific problem I find when I get it.

The eBay photo forum http://forums.ebay.com/db1/forum/Photos/98
is another great source of information about equipment Camera Japan on there specializes in Maymia 23 and press.

Jay