Question on haze/coating issue & scratches on lens

[Daniel Stone]

Hey all,

I just took receipt of a 12" Goodkin Graphinar, looks to be a Japanese-made dagor "clone". Single coated. Despite the listing saying it was scratch and haze-free(with no returns to boot, go figure), it arrived with both. Yay !!!

So my question is this: will this affect sharpness? I'm shooting 8x10, and have been moving from modern glass back to Artar's and Dagor's. This looked like a good option price-wise vs a 12" kern dagor, with lots of coverage IF I need it according to some references here on LFF and over on APUG.

Please consult the pictures below. When I look through the lens in normal ambient room light, it doesn't seem all that bad. But when backlit(like in picture #3 below), you can see the coating haze and scratches. I normally use a compendium lens shade when I shoot, so I do my best to minimize direct light from flaring the lens. But will this amount of haze and scratches affect the final contrast and/or sharpness on the film? Should I be looking for another copy of this lens? I like having clear glass, but if this won't be a problem, I might see about getting it shutter mounted(Copal 3 or Compound 3/4).

thanks

Dan

[Dan Fromm]

Scream misrepresentation and send it back. If you don't want to do that, take a shot with it and see how it does. Then send it back.

[Daniel Stone]

Hey Dan,

well I've sent a message to the seller, I didn't "scream", but asked politely . They've stated they're willing to take it back, since they've somewhat admitted that they didn't look to closely, or see the scratches/haze. Too bad, I was really hoping for a nice mint- example to send over to SKG to get mounted. Too bad.

Any idea on the performance values of this lens vs a 12" modern(ish), like a Kern, Dagor?

thanks

-Dan

[E. von Hoegh]

That's horrible. Send it back.

[Daniel Stone]

Thanks guys, he's offered to take it back, so I'm going to get it shipped back today. Too bad, I was looking forward to a new toy(umm... tool) to enjoy

-Dan

[BrianShaw]

Previously cleaned with a Brillo pad?

[Daniel Stone]

well seeing that its a process lens, it might have lived a hard life in the same room as the developing chemicals. I've heard about coatings getting eaten/etched/fogged by the chemicals, IDK though...

[E. von Hoegh]

well seeing that its a process lens, it might have lived a hard life in the same room as the developing chemicals. I've heard about coatings getting eaten/etched/fogged by the chemicals, IDK though...

That lens didn't get scratched like that from developer. 80 grit sandpaper, maybe.

[Tracy Storer]

Yeah, I'd call that a significant example of "cleaning marks AKA scratches"

[Dan Fromm]

Dan, in the interest of solidarity among Dans, let me remind you that Boyer and Berthiot made dagor clones.

You might want to keep your eyes open for a 250/6.8 Boyer Beryl (sorry, you can't have mine) or a 225/6.8 Ser. VIb Berthiot Perigraphe. FWIW, I have 135/6.8 Beryl and Perigraphe, think that the Beryl is a hair better; remember that mine are both used lenses and that all the usual caveats about generalizing from a used lens' performance apply.

You might also acquire a copy of the VM -- Dan Collucci, who posts here as ccharrison sells it -- and look in it for other makes/models of dagor clones. Search for Q9. The VM has led me to a number of sleepers.

Happy hunting,

Dan