Scratches, scrapes and bumps.

[pgk]

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I have a 90mm "thin' Tele-Elmarit which is in very good condition with only very slight 'cleaning marks' on the rear element (as have many in my experience). Recently I saw another one advertised by a well-known UK dealer at a very low price (significantly under £100) and which was indicated as having been heavily used and with many small marks on the front element and some internal dust. At the price I figured that it was worth a buying to try out and so I bought it.

 

OK, so the description was fairly accurate. Mechanically its somewhat worn, the aperture is slightly stiff and clunky and focus whilst smooth has the odd, faint notch and marginal backlash - you get the idea, its worked hard and been around a bit. Its price was, I still think, fair or even more than fair. Cosmetically it shows its heavy use with worn black anodising and darkened paintwork. The red plastic dot has long gone! The rear element, whilst dusty, shows no cleaning marks nor haze (which makes me wonder if the rear element haze is a storage problem from which underused lenses may suffer more?).

 

In use its actually extremely good. Focus on my M9 is spot on, images are still contrasty and sharpness is easily as good as my far better condition copy (it clearly out-resolves the M9's sensor at f/8). Despite its obvious flaws it is still a lens capable of excellent results. Below is a shot simply taken to check it out, showing the full image and a 100% crop - unsharpened and with the shadows slightly pulled to reveal detail in the shop window. I've also shot close and into the sun's reflection on the sea and flare in very well controlled (rather to my surprise). [i added the E39 UVa and rubber hood from my other lens].

 

I wonder if we are sometimes a wee bit too perfectionist when it comes to lenses?

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[pgk]

I just realised (FWIW) that this lens is from 1973 so is now 41 years old and is also from the first year of production of the 'thin' Tele-Elmarit.

[pgk]

Sorry, some additional information. The point of focus in my original photo was of course on the centre "Bengal Dynasty" sign!

 

And the lens has also lost its red plastic index for mounting alignment. It must have belonged to an 'old timer' because this had been replaced with a splodge of that red negative masking stuff applied to large negatives as an opaque block (I last used it over 30 years ago on some 5" x 4" catalogue advertising shots to isolate large machinery which couldn't be moved from a cluttered factory, but can't remember what it was called!).

[paulsydaus]

Amazing post and story. I'm sure that lens has had many interesting travels and stories to tell.

[Numbers]

Very nice post. It would be great to see a picture of it also. Thanks.

[philipus]

I wonder if we are sometimes a wee bit too perfectionist when it comes to lenses?

 

Eh, yes. Most of the contents in this sub forum is a testament to that methinks.

[Numbers]

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Eh, yes. Most of the contents in this sub forum is a testament to that methinks.

 

But not as bad as the M240 subforum. That place is scary compared to this one.