what is this inside the rangefinder

[malfaris]

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just received M5 which supposed to be mint, which is , expect when I looked inside the rangefinder after noticed a bit of lack of contrast in the small focus box in the middle. I bet it's fungus as many said it looks like a tree. the seller offered me return or partial refund. or is it something else

I guess that would effect the viewfinder/ rangefinder contrast too?

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Edited May 29, 2024 by malfaris

[spydrxx]

It does look like fungus. Definitely NOT a mint camera. Personally I'd return it for a refund unless the seller is willing to pay for it to be rectified. One has to wonder if this was miscategorized what else is?

[Ecar]

Yes, fungus. Seems to be quite an infestation and it may not be possible to remove (all of) it. I'd choose the return option.

[malfaris]

haha it was no fungus too .

[fotografr]

"Partial refund" sounds like a poor resolution to me. You got a camera that was misrepresented and you should get a full refund. Fungus on glass is often impossible to completely remove and the result can be a loss of contrast, which can make using your viewfinder difficult. 

[malfaris]

17 hours ago, fotografr said:

"Partial refund" sounds like a poor resolution to me. You got a camera that was misrepresented and you should get a full refund. Fungus on glass is often impossible to completely remove and the result can be a loss of contrast, which can make using your viewfinder difficult. 

That what I did as also I don't have reliable place to do CLA'd where I live , to the seller credit he quickly arranged the return label through Fedex , and handle the return fees.

thanks all for the advise , its first time I see fungus , I am getting lots of GAS and bought Mint M3 M2 M5 each around 1500$ 

M3 is in lovely condition waiting for M2 

M5 was much larger and heavier than I anticipated (I might not get it again and go for M4)

I already have new MP which I like but those vintage camera are more fun to use.

Edited May 30, 2024 by malfaris

[fotografr]

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My favorite was always the MP. A great camera. Next was the M3ds. I had two of them and wish I still had them.

[Danner]

On 5/29/2024 at 10:01 AM, Al Brown said:

It's the famous Japanese "【NEAR MINT】A+++ There is no haze. There is no scratches. There is no dust. There is a few fungus" category.

I've had great success in buying eBay from Japan, just recently bought an EL-Nikkor 80mm enlarger lens, that was received at my door three days after I placed the order, mint condition.  Amazing.

But, Al is correct.  Read the entire ad and note the negatives with a bright highlighter.  IME, Japanese sellers seem to be very honest, but caveat emptor!  Couple years ago, I bought a Bonica GS-1 100mm lens that had disappointing "balsam separation", which kind of shocked me when I examined the lens.  Wrote the seller, and he correctly noted that "some balsam separation" was amongst the laundry list of good things about the lens.  My bad, I suppose.  However, the lens has performed very well, never noticing any effect of the images I've shot, so the lens is a keeper.

 

My 2¢

[pgk]

On 5/29/2024 at 3:07 PM, malfaris said:

just received M5 which supposed to be mint, which is , expect when I looked inside the rangefinder after noticed a bit of lack of contrast in the small focus box in the middle. I bet it's fungus as many said it looks like a tree.

Looks like separation to me - fungus is more 'tendril' or strand' like (i have seen many lenses with fungus). Fungus would also suggest that the camera has been kept somewhere damp which might show in other ways and it might even smell dampish too. Separation is due to age/heat/impact. Either way the prism would need recementing which whilst not impossible, is a fairly specialist job and could take quite a long time with repairers/restorers all very busy. Such separation will impact on the rangefinder square reducing its contrast and making it more difficult to focus in lower light levels.

[malfaris]

On 5/31/2024 at 4:26 AM, fotografr said:

My favorite was always the MP. A great camera. Next was the M3ds. I had two of them and wish I still had them.

now using M3 for few times its taking over MP, love using those old cameras, can wait for M2.  now all 3 are silver including the MP I thinking of selling it and buy black paint one, I might lose some money but would like a change.

[malfaris]

16 hours ago, Danner said:

I've had great success in buying eBay from Japan, just recently bought an EL-Nikkor 80mm enlarger lens, that was received at my door three days after I placed the order, mint condition.  Amazing.

But, Al is correct.  Read the entire ad and note the negatives with a bright highlighter.  IME, Japanese sellers seem to be very honest, but caveat emptor!  Couple years ago, I bought a Bonica GS-1 100mm lens that had disappointing "balsam separation", which kind of shocked me when I examined the lens.  Wrote the seller, and he correctly noted that "some balsam separation" was amongst the laundry list of good things about the lens.  My bad, I suppose.  However, the lens has performed very well, never noticing any effect of the images I've shot, so the lens is a keeper.

 

My 2¢

yea I read the whole thing thankfully that's why he handled the return fees. and already made the refund. it was hassle free transition so all went well. dealing with stores its much easier to return as they have clear process for everything especially 100% rated seller