george_borden Posted March 16, 2005 Share Posted March 16, 2005 I just got a Nikkor 75-150 E series zoom on an infamous auction site. It was decsribed as having average cosmetics but "perfect" optics. Looks to me like it's got fungus. (I'll confirm at my local camera store tomorrow.) Does anybody think a lens with fungus is optically "perfect"? Do I have grounds for complaint? Thx. George Borden. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anupam Posted March 16, 2005 Share Posted March 16, 2005 <i>Do I have grounds for complaint?</i> <p>Definitely. I would. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bryan_lardizabal Posted March 16, 2005 Share Posted March 16, 2005 Did they allow you a 3 day return policy for inspection and testing or satisfaction? Most reputable sellers will do this, however it sounds like they have pulled a fast one on you. If you used PayPal you may have recourse...otherwise you may be stuck with it. I suggest trying it out and examine the prints before you go complaining. "Caveat Emptor" as they say Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
armando_roldan Posted March 16, 2005 Share Posted March 16, 2005 OK, you bought USED. Ok, you spent maybe $60-80 dollars and OK, maybe you can complain but nothing will come of it. Buying something sight unseen is only asking for trouble and if you can't handle a little risk then stay off Ebay. I have had 225 transactions there and only once was I dissappointed as a buyer. Its a risk I accept for the prices I pay. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arnabdas Posted March 16, 2005 Share Posted March 16, 2005 Send it to John Van Stelten. He seems to have an excellent reputation. I sent my 200/4 AF micro to him for CLA a week ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robert_hooper1 Posted March 17, 2005 Share Posted March 17, 2005 It's hard to know weather your lens has fungus or not without a better description of what you are seeing when you examine it. Obviously you are seeing something between the elements or on the outside lens surfaces. If you see fog, dust, fungus, lens separation, cleaning marks, etc., then obviously the lens is not optically perfect. See if the seller will allow you to return it. Most sellers don't want to get negative feedback. Tell them the condition of the optics is unacceptable and give them a chance to return your money. Next time ask the seller to shine a flashlight through one end of the lens while looking through the other end and give you a report of what they see. I have purchased several Leica lenses through internet auctions and will no longer chance buying anything from a seller living in a state which has high humidity most of the year. Almost always, optical equipment stored for long periods of time in high humidity states such as Florida will have fog and fungus problems. Look for items from dry states such as Arizona, Colorado and Nevada. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vivek iyer Posted March 17, 2005 Share Posted March 17, 2005 If it has fungus, try to return it. Not worth cleaning. Why an auction site is "infamous"? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
douglas_greenberg Posted March 17, 2005 Share Posted March 17, 2005 I concur with Arnab that John van Stelten is "the man" when it comes to cleaning fungus-infested lenses, but in this case, it's not worth the expense. Cleaning inside a lens costs $175 minimum (more or less), and this lens is not worth that much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
george_borden Posted March 17, 2005 Author Share Posted March 17, 2005 Thanks for the responses -- sheepishly I must admit that it's not fungus! It's just some oil. This diagnosis was made by the owner of Pro Photo in Washington, DC, a great guy who does the work himself and whose shop is filled with all kinds of classic equipment. He's cleaning it for me and I'll get my lens at what is still a very reasonable cost. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alex_lofquist Posted March 17, 2005 Share Posted March 17, 2005 It was probably time for an oil change anyway. Good luck on your "new" lens! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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