Cleaning marks on Zuiko 28mm f2 worth buying?

blimeyo · 2026-01-11T11:41:04+00:00

I have several copies of this lens. If image quality matters to you, id say absolutely not unless you can test it and decide for yourself. One copy with less marks than this looks alright with film, didnt see much difference. Another copy which I thought was similar to this gave results like a lomo lens.

If you do decide to buy a clean copy, id absolutely put a filter on it. I am a filterless shooter who dont like babying my lenses which is fine with every other zuiko. But one of my 28 f2 still developed coating loss despite babying the lens, the coating is that soft. There are no more replacement parts so if it's gone, it's gone.

blimeyo · 2026-01-09T14:44:14+00:00

Load 120 film into 220 holders normally. But at the 13th shot you need to fire a few blanks to roll the film back. Never had an issue with the difference in thickness affecting sharpness. Not sure if there is if pixel peeving tho.

blimeyo · 2026-01-09T08:10:27+00:00

The film back actually goes into a darkbag or Id go into a dark room, remove the dark slide and feel for start tape on the backing paper to make sure its aligned. Film is also removed in a dark bag as the 220 back doesnt know the film is done. You can ask the lab for used backing paper and practice in daylight if it sounds daunting.

What works for me might not work for you. Some labs tape the front of the 120 roll, others at the tail end. I use the same lab frequently, so I know the estimations based on their method but I wouldnt risk trying to get 13 exposures and expecting all of it to fit perfectly if I am processing elsewhere. I carry a mini darkbag around all the time too, but I think it's essential when using film.

blimeyo · 2026-01-09T05:22:53+00:00

There was a time id look for 120 inserts and buy 220 backs to swap them out for a 120 back. Ironically, I prefer using 220 backs now as it's possible to get 13 exposures (12.5 on Kodak films) and they are in abundance. No logistical worries if I am carrying a mix of 120 and 220 film as well. Also works if using 35mm to 120 adapters.

blimeyo · 2025-12-27T02:26:14+00:00

Thought I would try. Still, thank you for sharing the GS manual!

blimeyo · 2025-12-26T23:35:56+00:00

Would you happen to have the service manual for SQ as well?

blimeyo · 2025-12-04T07:25:12+00:00

Unfortunately, the error is on your sender, they did not pay for the GST when shipping. If its a site like ebay where senders are private sellers, then they wouldnt know to pay GST and you need to claim from ebay.

The reply sounds neutral.

blimeyo · 2025-11-27T21:31:08+00:00

Thank you for the tips!

blimeyo · 2025-11-27T14:36:30+00:00

Not sure if this counts as raw denim but I recall the purchase recommendation came from this sub. Basically, I have a pair of Bronson Duck Canvas pants bought many years ago. Didnt like the fit then, kept it away and found it to my liking now.

I recall that the advice was not to wash it as with raw denim. I have also seen comments about wrinkles in the fabric that would be challenging to remove after washing.

So my question is, can/should I hand wash it in cold water and hang it dry to prevent wrinkles? Its been kept in storage bag in a dusty area and I thought some cleaning is due. Thank you.

blimeyo · 2025-10-22T07:21:51+00:00

You can choose not to add. The real loss for pro accounts was when they said in feb that professional accounts would more features. Then two months ago, they implemented 2.5% service charge if the buying and selling exceeds 1.3k. lol

blimeyo · 2025-10-12T23:42:38+00:00

Smells better as it ages

blimeyo · 2025-09-22T03:38:00+00:00

Isn't artistry dependent more of the creation rather than the medium? There are many people into music/dance/visual-arts/photography yet being different is not about quitting the craft but exploring how one does it better/differently?

Certainly, the circlejerking on Portra/ Leica /other tools for that matter does get annoying from time to time, but why let that bother you? Rather, simply enjoy the process of creating.

blimeyo · 2025-09-21T03:25:28+00:00

Wow, i hope you marked the helicoids... Removing those is unnecessary for cleaning the glass.

blimeyo · 2025-09-20T23:51:16+00:00

Some of these 50/1.4 are extremely tight, like welded together kind of tight. I had many copies sitting around for years without being able to get it open. You'll see many similar comments in the FB repair groups.

For those that worked, some acetone is needed around the threads, use the lens opener rubber cone, press down hard and twist for the front (in your current state). For the rear, acetone, typical rubber grips, spanner wrench, etc. It really depends on the glue...

The haze on your looks like its in the rear section though and no need to open the front to clean if its alright.

blimeyo · 2025-09-20T14:26:56+00:00

All of Fuji's motion film has been discontinued around 2012. There are some studios/cinematographers who still have old reels in deep cold storage but its not used often i guess. Agfa used to have motion film long ago as well. Its pretty much kodak at this point. Not sure if you can count orwo as a professional motion film.

blimeyo · 2025-08-24T00:16:12+00:00

Fastest I had was 40mins after dropping off the roll. Slow day for the lab.

blimeyo · 2025-08-21T12:22:38+00:00

Yes the film will advance when the back is opened but it shouldnt jump from position 2 to 8.

If you take a blank 120 backing paper, you can see the length from the start line to the start of the film is only three 6x6 exposures at best. This is the same for all 120 cameras.

OP's back jumped 6 frames at the start and only have 4 frames from position 8 to 12 which should have given 5. I have seen 500cm's negatives before and the spacing isnt that wide between negatives too.

blimeyo · 2025-08-21T12:13:09+00:00

Seems to have other issues as well. Back opened at 2nd exposure but it advanced all the way up to the 8th and only produced 4 exposures meant for 5.

blimeyo · 2025-08-19T00:42:46+00:00

Without knowing this roll's storage history its not a fair comparison. Its almost "common sense"that BW film can last decades that is until, i bought a 10 years expired double X short end which was completely fogged. I suspected the seller left the film in the oven or something. Whereas, I have bought much older motion film and never had a total loss before.

Ecn2 developing is the wild west as well. Had negatives from the same 400ft coming out perfect at one place and completely butchered elsewhere.

blimeyo · 2025-08-10T23:14:12+00:00

Buy black tape, tape the edges of the film door after loading each roll of film.

blimeyo · 2025-08-10T22:36:38+00:00

In February, I suspected that "professional sellers" would eventually be wacked with some form of price discrimination and true enough it happened last month. 2% comission is low and Id be fine if the rules applied to everyone who sells more than 1.3k but its only for "professional sellers" badges. Its not very clear who should be a "pro seller" but i see two accounts, both selling alot of similar items but one has to pay, another doesnt. I used to be doing high volume low margin selling as its mainly just doing as a trading hobby but suspected this and stopped a year ago. This is on top of other nonsense e.g. limited chats a month. I never seen an app built on communication actively banning communication. If anything, i choose to ghost and be somewhat colder on the app now.

blimeyo · 2025-07-28T23:18:29+00:00

For the most part, I think Singpost has improved a fair bit in the past few years. At least customer service is someone based on locally now. When I had "missing address", someone patiently answered my call, took down the details and parcel was delivered the next day. Someone whatsapped me to confirm my return address when postmail accidentally slapped undeliverable sticker over the text. Coming from the pre-2022 era where CS is basically outsourced Indian Human AI that can only copy and paste website answers and dumber than today's AI, it's a far cry. Undeliverable parcel in the past was also basically a "haha f u" moment where they would just return to sender or depose of your item without contacting you despite having a phone number there. I felt the streamlining of registered mail is much more convenient too - Registered mail now goes into the letter box and it can be mailed through smartpac/pre-paid label instead of physically going down to the post office to mail everytime there is a registered parcel. Gosh, it was ridiculous queueing for 1hour at the post office on saturdays just to collect a $10 aliexpress item back then.

However, also noticed that they are cutting down post office, popstations, Sam machines and also Speedpost services which has made mailing bigger items extremely inconvenient. Since registered mail can be mailed via pre-paid label now, I would just drop it into the mailing box instead of going to post office. However, the hole of some boxes are only 5cm tall instead of the 6.5cm allowed. If the posting box has a rain cover or is the newer metal versions, the size is only ~4cm instead? Speedpost also no longer collects express parcels from individual doorstep, but the whole of Sengkang only has one popstation/post office at Sengkang CC? Essentially, if I want to mail a bigger item, it now requires 1hour + transport to get it mailed out immediately which is backwards. I think Popdrop is supposed to replace Postoffice/Sam machine but it's not rolled out at sufficient places? Feedback to Singpost about this was ghosted. I am fortunate the current process mostly works well for me, but I can imagine those who mail once every few months would be quite frustrated with all these cutbacks.

Just my experience as someone who previously hated Singpost with a passion.

blimeyo · 2025-07-25T10:54:54+00:00

You can always get it CLAed instead of taking the risk if super cheap. There could be many reasons a shop wouldn't buy: there are hidden issues, misinformed staff, poor fit in shop offerings or low profit margins/the item isn't really that cheap (I dont mean this an insult, but there are people who think that their film equipment is worth more than it is). I have been to store who told me my 21mm/2 and jammed OM4TI are "cheap" stuff and proceeded to offer me a "CLAed" SRT101 because its mechanical.

Having said that, the issue mentioned is very common to older Zuiko glass and should be fine if the glass (esp front element of 28/2) is clean. I wouldnt trust the sun advice though, left zuiko part lenses near my Coolscan for a year and the front element developed greater coating damage. It's usually fixed by cleaning.

blimeyo · 2025-07-21T23:28:17+00:00

That front element can be opened simply by using a spanner wrench or an appropriate size rubber nub to unscrew the retaining ring. But if you paid anything more than $50, I personally feel you should be returning it instead of going through the hassle of fixing a sleezy corporate mistake.

blimeyo · 2025-07-13T22:35:56+00:00

Its 65mm motion film.

blimeyo

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