Oil on aperture blades

[kyle_sonia]

Hi, I have a chance to purchase a 28mm Nikkor that has traces of oil

on two of its aperture blades. I have been told that the lens

functions properly despite this oil and that the amount of oil has

not increased at all since he bought it. I have been told that I can

return the lens within 7 days if I am not satisfied with it. My

question is: How bad of a problem is a small amount of oil on

aperture blades? Is it really possible for the lens to function

properly under these conditions? Even if it functions properly now,

is it a given that it will eventually stop functioning properly or is

this one of those things that can always be there and not affect the

lens? Thanks.

[neil_parker]

If there is oil on the blades eventually it will stick, and when it does it will probably blow a

bunch of important shots for you. So if you buy the lens do so with the idea of getting it

cleaned immediately, the problem may take longer to show up than the 7 days return :)

[grant_bridenbaugh]

I can only answer to my one personal experience with oil, so take this with a grain of salt...

 

I got a 50/1.8 with some oil on the blades about two years ago as part of a 'package deal' where I was intending to resell the individual parts. I figured the oil crapped out the resale value for that individual piece, so I kept it for myself. I've been using it ever since, with no problems so far.