imokruok
Well-known
Hi everybody. I wanted to make a quick intro since I'm very new to this forum. I've lurked for a long time, though!
Anyhow, I've been watching a number of G2 kits on eBay going for higher than usual prices, so I decided I had to jump into the market before things got out of hand. I got myself a very nice kit from a store in LA today after calling around and getting lucky with someone else's recent trade-in. It's a G2 in black with the GD-2 data back, and the 28/45/90 lenses, hoods, and pouches. Even came with the Contax case! (Data back was a nice surprise since the store didn't even mention it when I called them.)
I've got to say, what a solid camera. I have a Nikon N90s body that feels like it's made by Fisher Price compared to this thing. It's got serious heft, the glass is gorgeous, and the AF is quiet and fast. It just makes me feel a little disappointed, since I don't know of any other AF rangefinders out there - at least on the film side - so there's nothing to upgrade to 5 or 10 years from now! At least I'll be able to use the glass on a m4/3 camera with an adapter.
Speaking of the glass, here's my question. The glass is unscratched, but this camera and lenses were definitely used. I've done a thorough job of cleaning the exterior of the lenses to perfection, but in the 45mm, there is a dust fleck nearly right in the middle of the outer element - on the *inside.* I haven't run a roll of film through the camera yet, but in my experience, the fleck is large enough that it will be noticeable.
I have never taken apart a lens before, and have no desire to start with a Zeiss unless it's supremely easy to do. Is there any good place to send a Zeiss lens for cleaning? Can it even be done with these lenses? Or will cleaning be expensive enough that I should just look for an orphan 45mm on eBay?
Thanks for your help. After getting through a few weeks of tough work ahead this month, I hope to have the time to do some shooting and posting of images.
Anyhow, I've been watching a number of G2 kits on eBay going for higher than usual prices, so I decided I had to jump into the market before things got out of hand. I got myself a very nice kit from a store in LA today after calling around and getting lucky with someone else's recent trade-in. It's a G2 in black with the GD-2 data back, and the 28/45/90 lenses, hoods, and pouches. Even came with the Contax case! (Data back was a nice surprise since the store didn't even mention it when I called them.)
I've got to say, what a solid camera. I have a Nikon N90s body that feels like it's made by Fisher Price compared to this thing. It's got serious heft, the glass is gorgeous, and the AF is quiet and fast. It just makes me feel a little disappointed, since I don't know of any other AF rangefinders out there - at least on the film side - so there's nothing to upgrade to 5 or 10 years from now! At least I'll be able to use the glass on a m4/3 camera with an adapter.
Speaking of the glass, here's my question. The glass is unscratched, but this camera and lenses were definitely used. I've done a thorough job of cleaning the exterior of the lenses to perfection, but in the 45mm, there is a dust fleck nearly right in the middle of the outer element - on the *inside.* I haven't run a roll of film through the camera yet, but in my experience, the fleck is large enough that it will be noticeable.
I have never taken apart a lens before, and have no desire to start with a Zeiss unless it's supremely easy to do. Is there any good place to send a Zeiss lens for cleaning? Can it even be done with these lenses? Or will cleaning be expensive enough that I should just look for an orphan 45mm on eBay?
Thanks for your help. After getting through a few weeks of tough work ahead this month, I hope to have the time to do some shooting and posting of images.
Attachments
MatthewThompson
Well-known
Run some film through it, I bet you'll be hard pressed to pick it out in a print.
squirrel$$$bandit
Veteran
It's hard to imagine a dust speck on the front element of anything being noticeable in a photo. If you absolutely have to get it cleaned, KEH will do it for under $100...
Awesome kit, BTW. I bought and sold two G1 kits and finally settled on a G2, 45, and 90. Someday I'll add the 28 again. Enjoy!
Awesome kit, BTW. I bought and sold two G1 kits and finally settled on a G2, 45, and 90. Someday I'll add the 28 again. Enjoy!
imokruok
Well-known
Thanks for the comments. Yeah, I'm crossing my fingers, but good to know about KEH. Being on the front element is definitely better than the back.
Yeah, I wouldn't worry about it. Nice score on the databack. I'd like to find one myself. 
kdemas
Enjoy Life.
I always wanted a nice black databack for my G2 but there are none to be had. All were Champagne to my knowledge.
Enjoy your new camera, they're terrific!
Kent
Enjoy your new camera, they're terrific!
Kent
maxleung
Member
I don't think the dust speck will affect your image at all.
It is a very nice kit by the way.
Enjoy shooting!
It is a very nice kit by the way.
Enjoy shooting!
imokruok
Well-known
Yup, can't really tell from my pic, but it is a champagne back. The front lens covers are champagne as well. At least they make the flash in black!
sepiareverb
genius and moron
I had a Nikon 105/2.5 with a huge black 'speck' dead center on what seemed to be the second element. I shot a test roll at every aperture focussed at infinity and the near limit against a light box and never saw even a hint of it. This was a big, opaque black chunk. Dust I don't even think about anymore.
uhligfd
Well-known
Taking apart a lens in a non surgical-clean-air environment is just asking for the discovery of other dust specks and of even more than were there before -- when you think you are "done".
Enjoy what you have, warts and all. We all do.
Enjoy what you have, warts and all. We all do.
chris_li
Member
Black 21mm 2.8 Biogon w/finder
Black 21mm 2.8 Biogon w/finder
Nice Kit! I'm sorry I sold my black G2 kit w/28,45,90 lenses in a moment of poor judgement. I could use those lenses on my new GF1.
If anyone is interested I still have my mint cond. rare black 21mm Biogon lens w/finder and cases/boxes. It won't work that well w/GF1.
Not sure what they're going for these days but feel free to contact me.
chris/wash dc area.
Black 21mm 2.8 Biogon w/finder
Nice Kit! I'm sorry I sold my black G2 kit w/28,45,90 lenses in a moment of poor judgement. I could use those lenses on my new GF1.
If anyone is interested I still have my mint cond. rare black 21mm Biogon lens w/finder and cases/boxes. It won't work that well w/GF1.
Not sure what they're going for these days but feel free to contact me.
chris/wash dc area.
nonot
Well-known
I have a dust speck at about 11 o'clock inside of my 45mm as well (maybe it's a feature?) I haven't noticed anything in any negs, prints or scans from that lens.
Wouldn't sweat it.
ben
edit - here's a photo of mine.
Wouldn't sweat it.
ben
edit - here's a photo of mine.
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uhligfd
Well-known
Maybe it is a substitute for the red dot of Leica lenses ... A sign of high quality ...
imokruok
Well-known
Hey guys, thanks for the tips and pics. I will definitely report back. Oh, and chris_li, yeah I'd definitely be interested...if only I hadn't just spent what I did to buy the G2 package! There are always a few on eBay though that seem to go for a good price, though. Maybe try that route? But yeah, as far as I know, you're right about not working with GF1. I think even the 28 may have issues.
There are always a few on eBay though that seem to go for a good price, though. Maybe try that route? But yeah, as far as I know, you're right about not working with GF1. I think even the 28 may have issues.Neare
Well-known
Very nice kit, probably going to have to forgo payments on your life insurance after this one. =D
I've also never seen a G databack in Black before.
Don't fret about the dust. Shoot some rolls and it'll probably come out right. If you do notice it which is unlikely, then have it cleaned.
I've also never seen a G databack in Black before.
Don't fret about the dust. Shoot some rolls and it'll probably come out right. If you do notice it which is unlikely, then have it cleaned.