Lens problem - opinions please

[cwinhall]

So I just bought a Nikon 35-70mm F2.8 lens second hand from a reputable camera shop.

I also got a Nikon 80-200 F2.8 second hand.

They both just arrived in the post and I have a problem with the 35-70 it seems.

There is a complete lack of contrast in the pictures from the 35-70.

I have put up a small page on my website to demonstrate this with rollover images.

Find it here,

http://www.winhall.net/lenstest/

For those just wanting a quick look at the problem, the images can be found below.

Nikon 35-70mm straight from camera

Nikon 80-200mm straight from camera

What could be causing this severe lack of contrast???

Luckily the camera store said it offers a 12 month warranty. So it seems I will be taking them up on that warranty offer.

 

[gwgw]

No pictures showing and the links not working????

 

[Tobers]

Have you looked at the glass (front and rear) and given it a good clean?

 

[trencheel303]

Jesus. That's worse than my M42 lenses....!

 

[Flash In The Pan]

No pictures showing and the links not working????

All working fine here....

 

[J4MIE_P]

Cannot offer any advice apart from sending it back
But pics working here for all concerned

 

[cwinhall]

Found this from this link;

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/readflat.asp?forum=1030&message=30470394&changemode=1

zooming is like a vacume and may draw in dust and moitsture , and with time may cause this fogging you mention ,thereby reducing contrast , etc.

Seems this is the most likely cause. I will contact the camera store and tell them about it and send it back to them. What a pitty, I was really excited to get this lens

 

[LongLensPhotography]

It doesn't look great, a bit like Sigma 24-70... Does the glass appear clean, and are there any signs of *fungus* inside (inspect towards bright light at various angles)? Fungus could give this look. Also is there any cheap filter on the lens, and did you use lens hood?

 

[cwinhall]

It doesn't look great, a bit like Sigma 24-70... Does the glass appear clean, and are there any signs of *fungus* inside (inspect towards bright light at various angles)? Fungus could give this look. Also is there any cheap filter on the lens, and did you use lens hood?

Seems there might be some fogging when i view through the rear element. Not entirely sure though as I do not exactly know what I should be looking for, I will have another look through a magnifying glass when I can find it.

No filter used.

No lens hood used.

 

[cwinhall]

Just phoned the shop up, they said just to send it back and they will do a full refund.

Donno how they missed the problem in the first place, I even phoned yesterday before ordering it to ask the condition of the lens and if there were any problems and the guy said no.

 

[JerryL]

Have you checked that the aperture blades are opening and closing as they should?

Maybe the lens is not closing the aperture corrctly whilst taking the shot leading to the poor image contrast.