Oil on blades?

Brad,

Let me add to Freds post, in a rangefinder lens it is not a earth shattering thing. In an SLR lens, it is a very bad thing. Auto-return diaphragm must be 100% in order to close down quickly to the right aperture and then open up again. I had a lens shipped over from Australia once that was fine when it got shipped, but it took so long (I thing the proverbial slow boat) that I think it got fried in transit. Had to spend some bucks getting it CLAd. Cost more than I wanted or expected to spend but I have a wonderful lens now.

In rangefinders, as you are not viewing through the lens, there is no need for it to stop down and open quickly. There is no linkage on most mounts (Not sure about the Contax G1/2). You should get the lens cleaned as it will make it smoother and less likely to be troubles down the road (wd-40, who knows where else it went!) but it's will not stop you from using it.

B2 (;->
 
You have gotten some good advice here. There are several options. Use the lens as it is (assuming the oil problem is not that bad) and make a point to keep it from high temps and ck it now and then to see how things are going. Or you could send it out to have it cleaned. What the lens is worth, weighed against what one w/o this problem would cost is important, as well as what you are willing to spend. Or you could try and sell it as it is and use the money towards another lens. If the lens was one that someone really wanted, and if they had been looking for one at a good price, that might work. If it is an expensive repair to an inexpensive lens, this won't work. You will have to throw it in the drawer and start lens shopping.
 
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