From: ben_wen@athena.mit.edu (Benson Wen)
Subject: Re: Simple checks for layman on lens and camera.
Organization: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Date: Tue, 5 Jan 1993 23:34:37 GMT

In article <BzzEH9.ItB@inews.Intel.COM> kortikar@mipos2.intel.com (Aniruddha Kortikar) writes:

   I plan to purchase Nikkor lens and 5005AF/6006AF at Local Photo Fair.
   (Fair will be held in Santa Clara on Jan 16,17). There are about 50-60 shops
   offering used camera's lenses at considerably low price.

   Could anyone give me a list of simple checks which can be performed on 
   lenses/camera's while at the fair ? 

Here's a practical list of stuff you can do standing there to test the
camera. 

1) Cosmetics are an indication of how well it's used.  The models you
are interested in are Plastic/Metal hybrids.  They won't brass like
the mechanical models that I am used to dealing with.  A worn 6006
will have the plastic smoothed at points, especially at the corners
and edges.  Additionally a worn 6006 will have the plastic smoothed
near the thumb wheel.  Scratches will possibly get down below the
black outer finish.  Check the strap lugs for wear also.  
2) Impacts typically leave either a crack (STAY AWAY) or an abrasion.
The more of these the better chance that something may be thrown out
of alignment (eg the mirror, the AF sensor... )
3) Open the back and inspect the shutter blades.  They should be clean
and have no dents.  Check the film take up spool (yeah it's buried in
the x00x)  Scraps of film MAY be an indication that the transport is
damaged.. but it also may indicate user error.  The pressure plate
should be clean and undented.  Make sure the back closes firmly and
has little play.  Check any light-sealing gaskets for damage (esp.
around the little film window.)
4) Fire the shutter with the back open (I don't know if those cameras
let you do that with the back open...).  Try a slow speed... 8sec or
so and inspect the mirror box.  It should be clean.
5) On the 6006, examine the LCD...occasionally segments fail.  You'll
have to try most of the functions to do this.  Make sure all the
buttons close correctly.  
6) Check the battery compartment...I don't think lithiums leak, but
you never know.
7) Check the lensmount.  The electrical contacts (at the top) should
be undamaged and clean.  The flanges should be unbent and flat.
Lenses should come on and off with no major difficulty.  The AF pin
should be unwarped and straight (unlikely).  GENTLY tug on a mounted
lens and see if there is any play.
8) Check the flash head.  Ask if you can fire the flash and if the
dealer lets you, go ahead (actually you should ask if you can fire the
shutter too.)
9) If you have a meter you can check that, but rarely do any two given
meters agree within a stop, except under controlled conditions.  Check
AF too.  Listen to the motor for any un-even sounds, or worse, rasping.
10) Gently shake the camera and listen for any loose parts
11) And, of course, look through the viewfinder for dust, a working
set of indication lights, etc.

Lenses:
1) Open the diaphragm blades and look at a light source through it.  Dirt
and element separations become evident.  
2) Check the mount.  put it on a camera.  should be smooth and tight.
3) Check manual focus..the full range.  should be smooth and even.
4) Check for dented filter rings.
5) Check that the contacts are clean and the AF socket is undamaged.
6) Mount it on a body and check functionality.

Misc:
1) Always ask about the return policy.  Get a receipt if possible.
Get a phone no, name, address.  
2) Be courteous.
3) Get there early.  The best bargins are found at the beginning 1hr
and last 10min
4) Keep an open mind about what equipment you'll get.  Serendipity is
an okay thing.  Have a general idea (Nikon, 35mm) but you might not
find what you're looking for exactly. 
5) The more defects you find on a camera, the more leverage you'll
have in lowering the price: 
You: Hmmm, how much for this n6006?
Dealer: $324
Y: $324, huh?  Hmmm.  Well, the LCD is missing some segments and the
flash closes a bit funny.  $324 is a little high ... 
D: $320.
Y: $320.  Hmmm, well the lensmount looks like it's got a lot of use,
and I only have $300, and I'm a student, and my mom says that that's
all the money I'll get this month and I have to eat.
D: $100.
Y: Well, I have to get a new kidney for my baby brother and the
twins need new shoes.
D: (sobbing) take the camera, and here's $200 for the twins.

I doubt you'll find a N5005, they have low resale value, and they
suck.  N6006's are more common, but you'll see a lot of N8008's I bet...
I'd rather have an N8008 than an N6006, anyways.



   If you think it is not advisable to buy such equipment then let me know that
   too.

   regards,

   Aniruddha Kortikar (kortikar@mipos2.intel.com)


Have fun,
Ben
--

|| Benson Wen
|| ben_wen@athena.mit.edu
|| queeph@hing.lcs.mit.edu
Newsgroups: rec.photo