What do you think of this lens on Ebay? (Mamiya Sekor C Zoom 100-200mm for RB67)

Dazzer123 · Jun 15, 2023

Hi guys,

I'm thinking about picking up this lens (link below) offa Ebay.

Anyone have any opinions on the fact that it has "some haze located on the edge of the front lens"?

I bought a few things recently from Ebay Japan, and had only good experiences, but this would be the first time i buy something that's not totally mint.

Thanks for your time!

【N.Mint】Mamiya Sekor C 100-200mm F/5.2 W zoom lens Japan 1548 | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 【N.Mint】Mamiya Sekor C 100-200mm F/5.2 W zoom lens Japan 1548 at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

Don_ih · Jun 15, 2023

You can't tell anything about the lens from the pictures, unfortunately. The one look through the lens doesn't look that great but the lighting isn't good in the photo. "Haze" is pretty vague. The lens isn't overly expensive, though.

Dazzer123 · Jun 16, 2023

You're right, it's hard to say much from the photos, apart from that the body looks in nice shape.

"Haze"is vague, but at least they say it! It seems that the Japanese are very fastidious about honestly declaring and describing faults with lenses (perhaps it's a cultural thing), whereas most other sellers from other countries don't bother and just say"mint" or "excellent", even when it's clearly not.

But yeah, not much money, i might just go for it, for some reason there are no mint examples of this lens available, whereas the RZ version has many to buy on Ebay.

Is haze always detrimental in a large way, or can it be very subtle or even invisible? I'm not after ultimate sharpness or clarity, otherwise i'd just shoot digital!

Don_ih · Jun 16, 2023

Dazzer123 said:
Is haze always detrimental in a large way, or can it be very subtle or even invisible?

What haze does will depend on how much of it there is. A lot of haze, from coating damage or some kind of oil build up inside the lens element, will flare any source of light in the photo and overall reduce contrast - it may more or less obscure fine detail if there's enough of it. And I have an Elmar 28 that had so much damage to the inner part of the front element (I bought it cheap), you couldn't see anything through it.

Haze as described in that listing might have no impact unless the lens is used wide open with a backlit subject. But there is the chance it will cause the lens to flare more easily when the light is from the side - but a lens hood would help with that.

Dazzer123 · Jun 16, 2023

Alrighty, thanks!......

Do you know what causes these problems? (balsam separation, haze, fungus). I've bought a few lenses recently and i'm wondering if they're a ticking time bomb of problems, or if careful handling a storage can prolong their useful lifespan?

How about this one?!: https://www.ebay.com/itm/3348974990...GCbEHr+hYKjC83O4+1QJAfsQ==|tkp:Bk9SR9jdx8CYYg

They claim perfect optics, but i see something suspicious in the image below!

Don_ih · Jun 16, 2023

Dazzer123 said:
i see something suspicious

That looks like it could be fungus.

Or it could be scratches inside the lens, at the back.

Dazzer123 said:
Do you know what causes these problems? (balsam separation, haze, fungus). I've bought a few lenses recently and i'm wondering if they're a ticking time bomb of problems, or if careful handling a storage can prolong their useful lifespan?

Every lens is a ticking timebomb. Sudden changes in temperature can cause balsam separation (very unlikely with any of these lenses). Overheating a lens (leaving it in a car, for instance) can cause haze by causing lubricants inside the lens to evaporate. Keeping lenses in dark, damp (or overly humid) places can cause fungus. So don't do those things.

Every RB67 lens I own had fungus when I got it. Luckily, I could clean it out and there was no damage.

Algo después · Jun 16, 2023

As a newbie, once I got an 60cm CZJ process lens with "some haze on the front. Before I bought it I was checking a ton of threads about how to fix it and so on. I never was able to do it. So, IMHO this is my advice: never buy any hazy lens unless you´re looking for some ethereal or pictorial effect in your pics.

Kodachromeguy · Jun 16, 2023

The original lsting that you showed looks very clean cosmetically. And the package includes the hood. Haze? Yes of course, it's decades old. Will it be visible in your pictures? Maybe, maybe not. Use a hood. You can use remarkably crappy lenses and still do good work. Ticking time bomb? Of course, so what, its decades old. It's only about $160, so not too much of a gamble.

ant! · Jun 16, 2023

I had bought some months ago a lens, and when I received it not only the aperture was seized (old grease), but it was also quite hazy. Since it was in perfect outer condition, scratch and fungus free, and a rarer lens, I accepted a partly refund from the seller and sent it to repair. CAD 60 + tax and shipping fixed both.

Arthurwg · Jun 16, 2023

Looks like a great deal to me. The accessories along must be worth that money. I've been wondering about that lens as you don't read or hear much about it. Clearly not very popular. And is it possible to remove "haze"?

Don_ih · Jun 16, 2023

Arthurwg said:
is it possible to remove "haze"?

Depends on what it is. Sometimes, "haze" is damage to the glass and can't be removed. Sometimes, it's condensed lubricants and can be removed. Either way, you need to be able to and be willing to take the lens apart.

Dazzer123 · Jun 19, 2023

Thanks guys!

Since i originally posted the thread, the description has been changed from "no fungus" to "a little fungus", so i'm gonna pass on it.

About the second lens i posted: i contacted the seller and asked about the issue i pointed out, and he confirmed it's fungus, and reduced the price .. again, I'm going to skip it. I'll just wait for a mint one to turn up in Japan, they seem to be the most conscientious and thorough sellers.

Agreed, some of my favorite pics were taken with really crappy lenses, but i want to be sure i'm getting what i pay for and not getting ripped off!

Yeah, this lens doesn't turn up much, and apparently rarely in good condition.

Random question: why does fungus grow on / in lenses? I wouldn't imagine glass being such an attractive surface for fungus?!

Ian C · Jun 19, 2023

Fungus on Lenses | ZEISS Service Information

Fungus means an Infestation of optical instruments with fungus spores which germinate and produce more spores. In general, ZEISS does not accept instruments infested by fungus.

www.zeiss.com

Arthurwg · Jun 19, 2023

Lens is VERY heavy, like 3 1/2 lbs. Add that to the RB67 and you'll be carrying a 10 lb camera.

What do you think of this lens on Ebay? (Mamiya Sekor C Zoom 100-200mm for RB67)

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