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Thread: What would you do ?

  1. #1

    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Location
    Victoria BC Canada
    Posts
    75

    What would you do ?

    Hello,

    I am interested in a lens on Ebay ( Buy Now option ) . Its is for Medium format..Zeiss 50mm Distagon. ......ieverything is fine except for one issue ,copied below from the Ebay add. It can be had for a good price I am just abit hesitant...needs some advice either way.

    " The front of the glass looks great and I do not see any fungus or scratches. The rear lens group has something inside. It is a slight haze. It does not look like fungus and it can only be seen with a very bright light source. I do not know if this will effect image quality or not. "

    Thanks Gerry

  2. #2

    Join Date
    May 2006
    Posts
    2,588

    Re: What would you do ?

    Obviously a lens without haze is best but barring that, the question is whether the asking price is worth it and that really depends on how much expendable cash you have & how badly you need this lens.

    Haze can reduce contrast but you can have bugs in the lens and still have decent results: see
    http://www.certo6.com/gallery/planar.html

  3. #3

    Join Date
    Sep 2003
    Location
    Seattle, Washington
    Posts
    3,020

    Re: What would you do ?

    Hi Gerry.

    Haze is not good, slight or otherwise and one persons definition of slight might not be the same as the next person's. To measure the effect of the haze, you'd need to compare it to a lens without haze. Without making that comparison, you'll never know if or how the haze is affecting your images, and will be left with an "is it good enough?" assessment. I would pass and wait for one in as close to perfect condition as I could find. If you buy it and aren't satisfied, you'll be in the unenviable position of selling the subpar lens to another photographer, probably at a loss. Good luck!

    Jay

    P.S. you were great as The Talking Heads' guitarist!

  4. #4

    Re: What would you do ?

    If you are paying extra for Zeiss you might as well have the best. The key to ebay is patience.

  5. #5

    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Location
    Victoria BC Canada
    Posts
    75

    Re: What would you do ?

    Is it possible to remove haze ( is it costly ) and what could be the causes ? I will probaby pass on the lens...but this is an interesting exercise and a opportunity to learn something. Are there any lens techs on this forum.

    Thanks Gerry

  6. #6

    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Alaska
    Posts
    302

    Re: What would you do ?

    Since the seller has already disclosed the presence of haze, I don’t think you would be able to send it back if it had more haze than you expected. I would pass, and wait for a better one, or better yet, buy from a reliable dealer who would let you return it.

  7. #7

    Join Date
    Sep 2003
    Location
    God's Country
    Posts
    2,080

    Re: What would you do ?

    Gerry,

    I'd wait for another one to come up on the block... and, they always do!

    Cheers
    Life in the fast lane!

  8. #8

    Join Date
    Feb 2005
    Posts
    2,955

    Re: What would you do ?

    I would wait for a better sample, they always turn up on Ebay, patience.

  9. #9

    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Location
    MARINA DEL REY, CALIFORNIA
    Posts
    79

    Re: What would you do ?

    Yo Gerry,

    haze will cause a loss of contrast. The development of this haze should be expected to continue. The lens in question MIGHT prove a good value to that special someone who is so highly skilled in the restoration of problem optics, that he/she thoroughly understands the risks and work involved. One is wise who knows his limitations.

    best, andy

    THERE'S MORE TO OPTICS THAN MEETS THE EYE

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