Hello all,
I thought the list might like to be aware of a lens that is out there and
may be tempting to many of us. I took a risk on it fully aware of what
follows being the one of the potential results.
The lens in question is a Zuiko 250mm f2 which was recently listed on e*ay
by a well known NY store (not B&H). The listing had no information about the
condition of the lens or details of caps or the case, neither of which it
proved to have. The single picture was out of focus and only showed the lens
nose down on a shelf with other cameras in the background. Now the seller
concerned doesn't have the most sterling rep and knowing this in advance I
bid with caution but still ended up winning the lens. I paid with a CC
through Paypal thus doubly insulating myself with protection policies should
it go seriously south and the seller refuse to honor their return policy of
10 days. I had steeled myself for the lens to arrive in any state. My
concerns were sadly proved when the lens arrived with some issues. These
included the lens being fungused somewhere in the first two or three groups,
the aperture mechanism was not talking to any OM body attached to it, though
still stopping down the last stop was not as round as I expected it should
have been, the FE was very dirty and possibly scratched in a few places and
the focus was very stiff. The lens had also been subject to an awful attempt
at "repair", the hoods felt lining was scratched up from the front lens
rings having been attacked with something that can't have qualified as a
tool. The shipping was also a issue as the lens arrived in second hand box
only just a little larger bit than the lens. Inside foam rubber off cuts
where around only part of the lens. Thankfully the return was dealt with
only light hassle and was inclusive of the over charge on the shipping fee
(I was charged $70 and its actual cost was around $17).
Had the lens been in good shape I would have been a very happy bunny. I had
hopes of putting it on the E-1 as the 250mm is ok'ed for fully open use on
the MA-1 on the Oly cheat sheet. While I did mount it on the E-1 and OM's to
peer longingly through I didn't conduct any tests. If I get a shot at
another one I would leap in a second as this lens offers a stunning view
even though this example was in a compromised state. It's bright view paired
with a clean snap into focus, oh what a beast!
I believe that other listee's bid under me on this one and I am sure that we
all might find this lens tempting. Sadly I feel this one would need to be a
lot more of a bargain to be worth a shot on. Then one could consider a CLA
to get it somewhere close to its original performance. As you can imagine
parts for this lens are likely not available anymore (and at what cost
anyway!). So my advice keep one hand on your wallet and be careful out
there. As ever with eekbay caveat emptor prevails!
And now back to our regular programming...
Dan S.
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