Widelux F8 - is it an issue or not?

[alter ego 6x9]

I have just bought a nice Widelux F8 on ebay. Fantastic cosmetic condition. It also seem to work fine - I have shot a test roll and cannot see any issues. However, when inspecting the lens I noticed that there is a piece of solid rubber or some other material stuck between the lens and and this panning part (not sure what's called in English). Picture attached. I contacted the seller - he said he has no idea about that rubber - it claims it was when he purchased the camera and had no issue ever. The seller has the perfect feedback, so I tend to believe. Question - is this an issue going forward? Could be that the lens was wobbly and this piece is supposed to keep it in place? I'd hate to part with this camera...

 

[flash26c]

If it works, why worry about it? If it's not broke, don't fix it !!

 

[AgX]

I guess it is not that simple...

That piece of rubber does not belong there and I would ask myself why was it put there and may there be an issue behind it that could become a problem, which then might need me to fix something indeed.

 

[Old-N-Feeble]

I guess it is not that simple...

That piece of rubber does not belong there and I would ask myself why was it put there and may there be an issue behind it that could become a problem, which then might need me to fix something indeed.

Right.

 

[Old-N-Feeble]

If it works, why worry about it? If it's not broke, don't fix it !!

On the flip-side... if it wasn't broken then why was it fixed?

 

[summicron1]

is it loose or just jammed in there? You could gently remove it and see what happens. It is possible it is holding something in place that is loose and should be properly repaired.

Good chance to find out how ethical the seller is, if nothing else.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Ask Tempe Camera www.apug.org/forums/forum186/135688-widelux-f8-issue-not.html

They have done Widelux repairs for me.

 

[dreamingartemis]

First, let me congratulate on the purchase of an F8, I have only seen a few of these in my life so far. Second, like the old saying goes, "don't look a gift horse in the mouth."

 

[alter ego 6x9]

is it loose or just jammed in there? You could gently remove it and see what happens. It is possible it is holding something in place that is loose and should be properly repaired.

Good chance to find out how ethical the seller is, if nothing else.

It is not loose, it sits firmly there. I will probably not try to remove it myself - at least now it works fine and I am not very keep to discover "what happens" if I remove it . I guess I will follow the advise to contact a reputable repairman to get their opinion.

 

[alter ego 6x9]

First, let me congratulate on the purchase of an F8, I have only seen a few of these in my life so far. Second, like the old saying goes, "don't look a gift horse in the mouth."

well... I paid for this "gift" 550 GBP, so not exactly a gift, but I agree it is a rare camera and I will keep it (even if it may need to be repaired later). But I feel a bit uncomfortable leaving a positive feedback to the seller since this issue was not disclosed at all. On the other hand - camera works just fine...

 

[Oldwino]

I owned one of these at one point, and that rubber thing was not in my camera. I would, however, shoot a test roll through it to see if there are any other problems with the camera. A common problem is banding, where the lens turret doesn't move at a steady rate and gives you a varied exposure across the frame.

 

[alter ego 6x9]

Thanks all. The test roll was just fine. Bob from Precision camera suggested to continue shooting until I see any issues, no need for repair now.

 

[dreamingartemis]

Swell to hear that, now post up some of those delicious F8 shots if you please