Lens separation? Mamiya 50mm F4 G lens

[pz1fan]

Can anyone help evaluating this used 50mm lens (rated Ex) purchased from a reputable online dealer?

With a light you can see gold/brown rings both from the front and the back. it is fairly uniform around the whole outer part of the lens. It does not look like fungus.

Is this lens element separation or could it be normal reflections from mounts or elements in the camera?

The lens itself seems fine otherwise. It doesn't appear to have been dropped. The aperture and shutter are fine.

If the film turns out fine, should I keep the lens? Will this affect resale? Is this normal for this lens?

The photos below were taken with light at different angles. Some are overexposed to show the rings more clearly. In plain daylight, the gold ring on the outer most element is visible.

 

[pz1fan]

Update.

I got the first pictures back with this lens and they seem ok. No apparent contrast loss or flare. I now believe it isn't separation, but something like normal mounting of the elements. I have a few days left to evaluate the lens. Anyone else shine a flashlight into their Mamiya 6 50mm?

 

[ColSebastianMoran]

Separation, in one of my Mamiya Press lenses, looks like scallops from the edge inwards. Like the bite out of the Apple apple logo.

 

[quejai]

Hey there. I've got the Mamiya 6 with 50mm in my hands right now, and with the light at the right angle, I can see this golden ring. As you stated, overexposing helps bring out the detail in photos of the lens. What a horrible photo:

If this were a defect, this is where you'd expect something to pop up in its flare, however nothing looks amis

And here's what the previously mentioned lens is capable of. This roll of film was horrible!

Other things:
- I know this 'reputable dealer' well. I got my kit there, and the only issue with my bgn lens was a scratch on the lenscap.
- what filthy glass I have! just as well there's a UV filter on the way. One of the good things about this lens (as opposed to the 75mm) is that there's a large front element surface area, which means that the same grain of dust will have a lesser influence on the image.
- From my lens having similar characteristics and flawless performance so far, I would suggest that it will have zero effect on resale value and image quality.

 

[pz1fan]

Great! This is really good to know. I decided to keep the lens because it's so good wide open. I'll spend my time getting good pictures instead of worrying now.

Really enjoying this camera and the 150mm too. The 150mm is an under-appreciated gem.
Hard to focus compared to the 50mm, but worth it.

 

[quejai]

Good to hear. I'm planning on getting the 150mm soon, too - and conveniently, it's the cheapest!