Dust and other particles inside bought used lens - keep it or return?

phinix

phinix

Suspended / Banned
Messages
1,103
Edit My Images
No
What would you guys do if you bought a used lens adverised as in excellent condition, but noticed few large particles inside the lens?
Like mini hair and some dust spots, but larger than usual dust inside.

It is about 3 years old Voigtlander lens, so not too old for this kind of issues, right?

I know many times it is said that dust do not impact image quality, unless its on actual camera sensor. But what about lens?
Would you keep them or return?


20241108_131153.jpg
 
Last edited:
I would draw the line at visible hair and have once returned a lens for that very reason.
All lenses will have some dust, clearly visible or not, but excessive dust and hair would definitely cause me to return it as not accurately described.
 
gramps said:
I would draw the line at visible hair and have once returned a lens for that very reason.
All lenses will have some dust, clearly visible or not, but excessive dust and hair would definitely cause me to return it as not accurately described.
Click to expand...

Plus, it is about 3 years old Voigtlander lens, so not too old for this kind of issues, right?
 
Terrywoodenpic said:
If you intend to use it, and it was a good price use it.
Click to expand...
I agree.

Once upon a time I bought a very dusty Canon zoom for about a quarter of the normal second hand price. I recorded several satisfying images with it...

Canon 5D 8580.JPG
 
those Voigtlanders are expensive, but got a good price.
However, I was going to keep it as a collector's item, discontinued lens, almost special edition.... :(
I think it will be better to return it...

When I think of selling it, I dont know if anyone would buy it with this "hair" inside...
how the hell did it get in there...
 
phinix said:
those Voigtlanders are expensive, but got a good price.
However, I was going to keep it as a collector's item, discontinued lens, almost special edition.... :(
I think it will be better to return it...

When I think of selling it, I dont know if anyone would buy it with this "hair" inside...
how the hell did it get in there...
Click to expand...

It will not be a hair it will be fine fibre, which along with dust is every where. It looks bigger than it is because of magnification by the lens elements.
 
Is it possible to "shake it off"?
 
I'm just thinking aloud here. But couldn't you positively charge the lens and draw the dust particles away with a negative. Or is that completely mad?
 
Why would you mess with it, return it.
 
Contacted seller - he says he cannot see anything on that photo with red circles and he did not see anything in the lens before he sent it.
Asking me to confirm if that affects image quality.
 
Is he a dealer, eBay seller or private seller?

“Asking me to confirm if that affects image quality.”

Whether it affects image quality or not it’s a problem with the hair. At the moment it’s his problem but if you decide to keep it it becomes your problem if you want to sell it.
 
Last edited:
If you have less than 10 transactions on ebay. It's a not rare for a reputable seller to screw you. I bought a watch and seller after receiving payment refused to send it. Then asked for credit card.
 
phinix said:
Contacted seller - he says he cannot see anything on that photo with red circles and he did not see anything in the lens before he sent it.
Asking me to confirm if that affects image quality.
Click to expand...
Hi, you won't see any effects. Even in serious cases effects are minimal :

www.lensrentals.com

Front Element Scratches

We had a chance to make a pretty fun demonstration today, and here it is. As most of you know, we’re very finicky about our gear. We don’t like even tiny scratches on front elements or dust in a lens (although a bit of that is inevitable). We’re like you. We want the lens to [...]
www.lensrentals.com

But you may always try to see them ...
 
Just for fun take any lens and try shining a single point light, like the torch on your cellphone, throught the lens. Then you'll see how much dust a typical lens has in it!
 
Last edited:
Yep...

20241109_151322.jpg
 
If it’s from eBay you can open a claim and return it, that’s what I would do
Agree it won’t affect images but will make it harder to resell
 
How is it possible to make lens so messy after 3 years of usage? Used on Leica, so could have been swapped often?
 
gramps said:
Is he a dealer, eBay seller or private seller?

“Asking me to confirm if that affects image quality.”

Whether it affects image quality or not it’s a problem with the hair. At the moment it’s his problem but if you decide to keep it it becomes your problem if you want to sell it.
Click to expand...
He is a private seller with lots of feedback.

I have a new account with only 3 feedback.
 
Plain Nev said:
I'm just thinking aloud here. But couldn't you positively charge the lens and draw the dust particles away with a negative. Or is that completely mad?
Click to expand...
I was thinking of that process. Would work somehow?

Shaking lens wont work... just so I could get rid of that fibre hair...
 
phinix said:
He is a private seller with lots of feedback.

I have a new account with only 3 feedback.
Click to expand...
If it's on eBay the feedback issue won't make any difference, a 'faulty' report will be enough.
 
I think "not as described" is probably more accurate than "faulty".
 
phinix said:
I was thinking of that process. Would work somehow?

Shaking lens wont work... just so I could get rid of that fibre hair...
Click to expand...

I suppose you could always hook it up to a small battery and experiment. I should say I've no idea if it would work, or how, but it sounds like it should. I would have been a mad scientist, in another life. :p
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top