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Mamiya RB 50mm C Lens question


panoramic pei

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Hopefully someone whom owns a Mamiya RB 50mm C Lens can help me with this...

the lens I recently purchased makes a clicking sound when I tilt it in my hand as if glass is slightly shifting.

Wondering if this is normal due to the floating element or a defect.

The ring for the floating element is set at infinity.

I am still waiting for the Mamiya RB SD Body & Back to arrive to do further testing.

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Norman, your response is greatly appreciated, sounds like a defect, probably best to return the lens in that case.

This has been driving me nuts, I posted the same question all over the web, this is the first bring it to the bank response I received.

Thanks again,

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JD, your confirmation is greatly appreciated, now to find the box to return it.

I am curious what the well known Photographic Supply Dealer will respond since I asked the same question to them.

I wonder if I am alone with this issue? Maybe others are experiencing the same issue but never noticed it, hence resulting in not the sharpest images that some users complain about with this lens.

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<p>Are you sure it's not just bearings making some noise as opposed to a glass element?<br>

My 50C and other RB lenses all make some little bit of racket.<br>

E.G. -<br>

<a href="https://www.flickr.com/groups/mamiyarb/discuss/72157629123533127/">https://www.flickr.com/groups/mamiyarb/discuss/72157629123533127/</a><br>

<a href="/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?topic_id=23&msg_id=000sj5">http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?topic_id=23&msg_id=000sj5</a> (RZ)</p>

 

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<p>I had this lens many years ago. I do not remember it making a sound, but I do remember it was a very sharp and contrasty lens. It has a manual control for CRC (Close Range Correction) which I found particularly useful for interiors that needed maximum sharpness across the entire image.</p>
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You can't really decide whether a lens (or other piece of equipment) works without testing whether it works, merely based on if there is a rattle when you shake it.<br>You suspect a loose lens element, shifting. Lens elements aren't hidden away out of sight. Can you see any movement, any change in position in the glass?
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The above links give a better understanding of Mamiya RB Lenses regarding the bearings & rattling which is more likely the case with this lens. I can not see any movement of the lens elements, a similar sound happens when the lens isn't moved at all as I turn the floating element ring. Otherwise the glass is perfect & cosmetically the lens appears to be taken care of very well.

If the rattle (bearings) is no big deal, it's the results I am more interested in.

Better to wait for the RB SD Body & Back to arrive to test further.

I never owned any Mamiya RB gear in the past therefore all the information & replies have been very useful.

Thanks!

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<p>Check if the sound changes with the shutter closed vs. open. Same with the diaphragm. That could locate the source of the sound.<br>

Also, you could talk to a person who repairs Mamiya, who might well be able to determine if the sound you are hearing is normal.</p>

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<p>I just shook my Mamiya 50mm C lens and, yes, there is a faint rattle if I listen carefully for it. I expect it is the linkages for the iris diaphragm stop down arm and shutter tripping lever which must move very freely and quickly (definitely no drag allowed) to keep these functions coordinated exactly.</p>
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The rattle I have isn't that faint, if I move the floating element ring the rattle will not be heard for about 2-3 inversions...

then it returns.

When I cock the Shutter (no camera as yet to test) by hand & release via the small button & swing down the pins to release the Shutter while still holding the button down everything seems normal. I am assuming that the camera will move the pins down since it doesn't take any force, although at times when I press the button a certain way (which is difficult to repeat twice in a row) the lens does the complete cycle on it's own.

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