how to accurately describe lens condition ?

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geoffreymbrown

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I'm not a collector and not even a real user, but I've had a Nikor 8.5cm f2
black lens for about 25 years. I bought it to go with a contax I inherited
from my father, but later realized it isn't the right (contax) version.

I know it's not pristine, but I don't really know how to describe in terms
that will be fair to potential buyers and to myself. What I'm looking
for is advice on how to come up with a fair description.
 
Welcome !

I suggest to take and show some good photos of the outside and then describe the "inside" in words. In particular:
- optics: how clean, scratches and cleaning marks, and where in the lens (front vs rear element is important to me when I buy)
- mechanics: focus and aperture easy to move ? aperture oily or not ? The aperture, can be shown in photos, partially. Does the RF couple correctly (is aligned at infinity) ? The latter might not matter if your lens is Nikon or Contax mount.

When I buy a lens, I am less picky about the description when the return rights / seller credits are good. Therefore some references help as well.

The black 85/2 is a great lens. What mount do you have it in ?

Best,

Roland.
 
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I assume this is in the Nikon rangefinder mount.

If it's in good shape, it should sell well on Ebay. If you list it here, it will also go to a good home. Photos are the key. And the right of return if there's a problem.

You want to check for oil on the aperture blades (not really a big deal). How smoothly does it focus. How smooth are the aperture clicks? Any dents on the rim? Any marks/scratches on the glass? Any cleaning marks on the front or rear of the glass? Any dirt or flakes on the inside elements? Obvious scratches or flaking on the exterior. Brassing.
 
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If buyer isn't satisfied, he/she gets to return it for full refund. No sense haggling over shipping costs either way. These are very desireable lenses, so just describe it fairly and no one will want to return it. It will go to a loving home on RFF. It will probably get you more money on EBay.

Here's one in nice condition that recently went for $665 on EBay.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=150093654774&ru=http%3A%2F%2Fsearch.ebay.com%3A80%2Fsearch%2Fsearch.dll%3Fsatitle%3D150093654774%26catref%3DC3%26from%3DR2%26fvi%3D1
 
It's waiting for me to pick up from the post office tonight.

I hadn't really been seriously looking for one, but Brian had seen a couple of my postings where I mentioned my life would be complete if we achieve peace world peace and I found a black 85/2, so he PM'd me when the ad appeared. Price was just under $500, which was just inside my mental threshhold of how much I'm willing to pay.

Assuming the lens is okay, I'll have a nice user chrome-barrel version of the 85/2 for sale shortly, if anyone is interested.
 
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Fred,
I disagree that lenses with fungus on the glass elelments are throwaways. If the lens is common, inexpensive SLR glass, then yes, toss it or punch out the elements and turn it into a flower pot, pen holder or beer stein.
However, a vintage rangefinder lens, regardless how common, will always be a good potential source of parts, and should be either squirreled away for a rainy day or sold as a parts lens to someone with the skills to utilize it.
 
VinceC said:
It's waiting for me to pick up from the post office tonight.

I hadn't really been seriously looking for one, but Brian had seen a couple of my postings where I mentioned my life would be complete if we achieve peace world peace and I found a black 85/2, so he PM'd me when the ad appeared. Price was just under $500, which was just inside my mental threshhold of how much I'm willing to pay.

Assuming the lens is okay, I'll have a nice user chrome-barrel version of the 85/2 for sale shortly, if anyone is interested.
Click to expand...
Not so fast Mister Vince,
first we want an in-depth review of the 2 lenses...comparisons--size,weight,feel---pictures to compare the old chrome VS the late black.
I have a feeling Nippon Kogaku "tweaked" the formula when redesigning the barrel.
The black barrell is rumored to have better imaging capabilities.

Kiu
 
Brian Sweeney said:
Chase Allgood coined that phrase after I shimmed and CLA'd his J-3 and J-8. So it basically amounts to shimming the FSU lenses to work well close-up and Wide-Open on Leica and Nikon cameras.
Click to expand...
Oh excuse me,there is much more to it than that.
To "Sweenize" a lens is much more than shimming, it's like the optic goes through the hands of one of the FINEST lensicians of our time!!
How do you like the two new words I invented?

OK,all you "Shimmed" people....speak-up!!

Kiu
 
>>I can always test Vince's lens against my CLA'd Chrome 8.5cm F2 "made in Japan" lens that goes to F16 w/o Click Stops.<<


I imagine that's the version that started it all ... when Life photographer David Duncan's Japanese co-worker took a picture of him with a Nikkor 85/2. When the co-worker showed him a print, Duncan was astounded. He had never seen such a sharp lens before.
 
>>first we want an in-depth review of the 2 lenses...comparisons--size,weight,feel---pictures to compare the old chrome VS the late black.<<

I'd better be quick. I sort of planned to sell the old one to help pay for the new one.

I picked it up a couple of hours ago. It's my kind of lens. Well used but still holding strong. As described by the seller, the front filter ring is, shall we say, less than round. Eliptical, perhaps. Nonetheless, a 48mm filter does screw on. And it comes with a wonderful after-market lens cap that is helpfully labeled "LENS CAP".

It's been taken apart sometime in the past, so I'm taking some shots close up and wide open to make sure it's optically okay.
 
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>>Excuses....<<

Well, I could take some pictures with my digital camera. Or, I could use my Auto-Up and wait until the film gets developed.

You're just going to have to bear with me, Kiu. I don't get new lenses all too often. I'm still taking it in.
 
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