Jumping on the Ebay wagon

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SnowFella
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Jumping on the Ebay wagon

Post by SnowFella »

Well, with my 18-70mm Sony kit-lens going cactus on me I've desided to jump on the Ebay wagon in attempts to get a replacement. Don't really want to buy a new lens through ebay from overseas as they generally get classed as grey imports by the support down here and they won't honour warranty so I'm heading the used route.

Currently got a Minolta AF 28-80mm F3.5-5.6 lens in my sights, 17 hours left on the auction, with another identical one with longer auction as backup. Also got my eyes on a Minolta AF 50mm F1.7 lens on my watchlist to see where the prize goes, been looking for a prime for a while so might aswell jump on it if it stays reasonable.

Probably going to test something out of left field tomorrow and head past my local cash converters (pawn broker) and Salvation army store as you just never know what they could have in stock.
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SnowFella
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Re: Jumping on the Ebay wagon

Post by SnowFella »

Got lucky on the 28-80mm Minolta lens and got the highest bid, had to snipe it at the very last second though. So there's a brand new, well...used, lens coming my way in a week or so. Still somewhat of an unknown exactly what I bought as Minolta made 3 different versions of that lens but going by the images it's one of the last 2 generations.
Will have to check around and see if I can get a lens hood and UV filter for it once I verify that it works alright.
Also tossed in a bid on the 50mm prime just to get things started, still a week left on that auction though so chances are bidding really won't start for another few days.

Heading past my local pawn shop in the morning to have a look if they have anything of interest, chances are slim but who knows what they could have.
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SnowFella
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Re: Jumping on the Ebay wagon

Post by SnowFella »

Quick update, getting hooked on ebay :lol:
First lens has turned up in working condition, though it seems very soft unless I stop it down quite far. Also seem to be chasing focus if I use it close to it's near focus distance. Still useable but not 100% happy with it's performance, but can't really complain as I got it cheap.
The AF 50mm lens I had my eyes on has passed what I'm comfortable with paying, past the $70 mark now and with several bidders it's likely to keep on going higher.
Do have my eyes on a second auction though that includes an AF 50mm aswell as an AF 35-105mm lens, along with an old camera body, old flash and some other bits and pieces.
Hoping no one else will spot it as the seller had the wrong information in the description and nothing in the title about what's included. Fingers crossed as if it stays the way it is I'll score 2 lenses for a $10 steal!
DaveW
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Re: Jumping on the Ebay wagon

Post by DaveW »

Do a proper lens test on it. Preferably on a tripod rather than hand held if possible:-

http://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2010/11 ... est-a-lens" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

You could try this one you can print out:-

http://regex.info/blog/photo-tech/focus-chart" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Also switch off autofocus and manual focus using the camera's focusing screen. If the image is then sharp when put on computer it is the autofocus that is out. Stopping down increases depth of field which covers up any slight miss-focusing, which is why with minute depths of field close-up they advocate switching autofocus off since it is too inaccurate. If the image is still soft then it is the lens which may have had an element decentred by a knock or something.

http://www.canonrumors.com/tech-article ... her-myths/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

As to hunting at the lenses closest distance, you can in fact focus closer using manual than autofocus since you can be at the closest limit using the focusing screen, but autofocus requires a little distance in front and behind the point of focus so it can hunt either side of focus to find it. Hunting can also mean you are getting the lens closer to the subject than it's closest focus distance in order to try and get too large an image in the viewfinder. If so the lens cannot focus that close anyway therefore autofocus will keep hunting. If you want to focus closer put either an extension tube on or a supplementary close-up lens on (close-up filter).

Autofocus relies on contrast, so make sure you are using a contrasty target to test it. Autofocus cannot successfully focus on say a sheet of paper of uniform colour.

http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutori ... ofocus.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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SnowFella
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Re: Jumping on the Ebay wagon

Post by SnowFella »

Cheers Dave.
I'll do a proper lens test on it sometime this week, printed the one you linked out on works laser printer to get it nice and crisp copy.

Weird thing with the auto focus is that it from a tripod aimed at the same object, in this case the center of that test chart, the camera does get an autofocus lock at lower magnifications but not on higher magnifications. It gets close but ends up chasing between slightly to far and to close.

Juts got the nervous wait now for the second auction, naturally there's others that have noticed it and started taking the bids up. Shouldn't of contacted the seller to clarify exactly what was in the pack as he updated the info to include the acctual lenses that come with it. So now I'm in for a 45 minute ride to see where it will end up and if I'm game enough to spend on old lenses with a no return policy from the seller! :shock:

Edit: and it's a loss! Can't really blame anyone but myself as things could of turned out differently if I hadn't approached the seller inregards to the content of the auction. ](*,)
DaveW
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Re: Jumping on the Ebay wagon

Post by DaveW »

In the past with non autofocus SLR film cameras there was only one variable regarding basic focus. That was whether the light path from the back of the lens via the mirror to the focusing screen was exactly the same length as to the film so what you saw on the focusing screen was exactly what the film was "seeing". If these were not the same there was adjustment for the mirror so a technician could move it slightly so both light paths were equal.

When autofocus was introduced, if it did not read off the focusing screen but used a separate autofocus sensor in the mirror box, a second variable was introduced as the light path to that had also to be the same length as to the film or sensor. Again there are adjustments in camera to allow a technician to vary that distance.

Now we have autofocus therefore we have the possibility that either the autofocus sensor distance, if it is not focusing correctly on the film/sensor is incorrect, or if focusing using the focusing screen in the viewfinder and the final image when using that is out of focus it is the mirror that needs adjusting.

That of course leaves aside any problems with the lens itself, or manufacturing tolerance issues as described in the earlier links.

However if you test the focus using the autofocus, plus manual focus using your eye on the focusing screen in the viewfinder, it should highlight if one of those are out.

This probably explains your lens hunting at higher magnifications close up:-

http://www.earthboundlight.com/phototip ... macro.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

If you want to go into autofocus a bit deeper:-

http://photographylife.com/how-phase-de ... ocus-works" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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SnowFella
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Re: Jumping on the Ebay wagon

Post by SnowFella »

Thanks again Dave.
Learning more here than what I have after 2 years of owning the camera :lol:

Still have to do a proper focus test, doubly so now as I just came home from picking up another second hand lens :oops: After missing out on yesterday's ebay auction I chased around some local tradespost forums and found a guy selling an old Minolta 5000i camera along with a Minolta AF 35-70mm F4 Lens with Macro setting.
This exact lens.
http://kurtmunger.com/minolta_af_35_70m ... id180.html
Nice and cheap too so I just couldn't pass it up, though when I called I nearly got cold feet as he said the auto focus was dead.
Luckily it turned out it was the in-body bit that was dead and it focused just fine on my DSLR body. Lens works just fine and is a tank in construction compared to the cheap plastic kit lenses I've had up untill now. But what's with people loosing their lens caps? Bought 2 old lenses now and both without a lens cap!

Just tested a few quick snaps after coming home as the light quickly is fading here and I really don't have much to take photos of at the moment.
All photos straight out of the AF 35-70 in it's macro setting, had to size them down to a max of 800 pixels wide as the original crops were near twice the size.
Image
Image

Image
Image
DaveW
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Re: Jumping on the Ebay wagon

Post by DaveW »

Yes lens caps go on mine as soon as I have finished taking pictures since I don't use a filter on front as a "transparent lens cap". It is easy to scratch the front element with a camera hanging around your neck if it is not protected. Some amateurs think it looks "professional" to throw their camera equipment around and have a few dents and scratches on it, but it will probably work better and have a higher second-hand value if still pristine when you sell it. Also it is easy to decentre a lens element if you throw your lenses around and then you will not get as sharp pictures and wonder why.

I always have the camera strap around my neck too unless it is on a tripod. I was on one photo site where a chap in a boat did not and dropped his top of the range Pro Nikon over the side through not doing so. Luckily he was insured and got a new one.

You should be able to get replacement lens caps off EBAY:-

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_trksid= ... &_from=R40" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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SnowFella
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Re: Jumping on the Ebay wagon

Post by SnowFella »

Same here, to the point that I've missed shots just because I've had to take the cap off first. Even found myself putting a body cap on the old dead 35mm camerabody after I took the lens off, ain't like I'm ever going to use it but it was a reflex thing to do :lol:
Up untill the first replacement lens turned up last week I've only ever had one filter, polarisier, and that's only seen very limited use. Both "new" lenses came with filters attached, UV and Skylight. Glad there was a filter on the newest lens though as there's a big honking chip in it just about dead center.
Unfortunately I'm now stuck with 3 different filter diameters, 49mm, 55mm and 62mm so anything other than a simple clear filter for just in case situations likely is as far as I will go.
And already sourcing some replacement generic caps from a local camera store :wink:

Edit: should of looked closer in the bag the old film camera came in...just found the lenscap in a hidden pocket! :lol:
DaveW
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Re: Jumping on the Ebay wagon

Post by DaveW »

If it's a filter you want to use on multiple lenses (like a polariser or effects filter) it's best to get the size that fits your largest filter thread and then just get step-up rings to fit it to the others:-

http://www.cs.mtu.edu/~shene/DigiCam/Us ... rings.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_trksid= ... &_from=R40" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Don't go the other way around and use step-down rings however as you will get vignetting (darkening of the corners) on the lenses with larger filter threads.

http://www.discoverdigitalphotography.c ... o-a-photo/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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SnowFella
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Re: Jumping on the Ebay wagon

Post by SnowFella »

Well, turns out scoping Ebay for used lenses both have their upsides and downsides. Just tested out the 28-80mm lens that I got first some more and seem to be finding an issue with it that possibly could explain the weird images I'm getting out of it.
Seems the lens won't communicate to the camera what focal length it's set at, all photos come out as if I had it at 45mm and it therefore won't stop down lower than F4.5.
Time to do some diggin to see if there's a remedy or if it was a dud buy.
DaveW
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Re: Jumping on the Ebay wagon

Post by DaveW »

Try cleaning the electrical contacts on the lens and camera as they convey the information:-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DhZrfc3kZ8s" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41hAgFbbk-E" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The reason they advocate keeping camera bayonet mount and rear of lens pointed downwards as far as possible is to stop any dust falling into the mirror box or onto rear element of lens when cleaning. Reason for rubber or plastic gloves is to avoid touching things like the cleaning equipment or lens surface with your sweaty sticky fingers and putting grease onto things not removing it. :D
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SnowFella
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Re: Jumping on the Ebay wagon

Post by SnowFella »

Did that to no effect so I'm guessing it's something inside the lens.
As it still kinda work I'm not a 100% sure the next step will be a smart one but the screwdrivers and tools are coming out!
DaveW
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Re: Jumping on the Ebay wagon

Post by DaveW »

Could be a sticking diaphragm since the lens opens up to full aperture for viewing and only closes down to the taking aperture when the shutter button is pressed.

http://dpanswers.com/content/tech_stickyap.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.ebay.com/gds/how-to-detect-f ... 542/g.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Disassembly is fairly complex and I can't find a link for the 28-80 only the 28-135:-

http://www.pbase.com/pganzel/disassembl ... 35_f4_lens" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

If you are still under EBAY's returns cover you could return it and ask for your money back and bid for another one?

http://pages.ebay.co.uk/help/buy/return-item.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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SnowFella
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Re: Jumping on the Ebay wagon

Post by SnowFella »

Never really bothered investigating the 28-80 problem further as I found a replacement that works for a mere $18 shipped. The faulty one is being kept for spare parts if I ever need to swap something out.
Had to do some DIY repairs on a purchase that turned up the other week as somehow the aperature arm had come loose from the iris pin, leaving the aperature wide open. Half an hour and 9 screws removed/replaced did the trick and it's now working again.

Here the 2 classics I've picked up, released back in 85 with the first Minolta autofocus film cameras and still kicking on current Sony DSLR's.
Image
35-70 f4 and 70-210 f4 "beercan"
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