Would you buy a used Victory SF with these marks? (1 Viewer)

[Gdavis248]

Looking at a pair of 8x42 Victory SFs where the seller has disclosed these “cleaning marks” on the objective lens.

They claim that they are not visually discernible when looking through the bins but of course…I will not know that until I look through them myself, which is not possible prior to purchase.

So, would you buy them with these marks? Price is ~$1,900 usd.

 

[David N]

Personally, I would not purchase them.

 

[dorubird]

I also don't think those fine scratches will affect the image! But the price seems very high with these obvious scratches!

 

[Hermann]

I don't think they'll be visible, however, these aren't "cleaning marks", I'd call them "scratches". Are they on one of the objectives only? What about the other? And, importantly, what about the eyepieces?

Hermann

 

[Gdavis248]

Personally, I would not purchase them.

I'm feeling this way. Felt very deflated after I saw the markings. As much as I want a pair of Victory SFs, that is still a large sum of money for me and to risk getting a pair that is possibly optically compromised feels...not worth it to me. Oh well. Keep looking.

 

[Gdavis248]

I don't think they'll be visible, however, these aren't "cleaning marks", I'd call them "scratches". Are they on one of the objectives only? What about the other? And, importantly, what about the eyepieces?

Hermann

I also referred to them as scratches but the seller corrected me saying they are "cleaning marks".

They state the glass is free from defects except for these "cleaning marks". Seems to only be on 1 lens. The other doesn't seem to have marks as visible as these.

 

[Gdavis248]

I also don't think those fine scratches will affect the image! But the price seems very high with these obvious scratches!

What do you think you would offer or would be a fair price for these conditions? Other marks include loss of paint on the metal bridge portion near the objectives.

 

[Hermann]

I also referred to them as scratches but the seller corrected me saying they are "cleaning marks".

They state the glass is free from defects except for these "cleaning marks". Seems to only be on 1 lens. The other doesn't seem to have marks as visible as these.

In that case I'd offer them a lower price. 1500 USD or so. Or even lower. These scratches will not be visible in the image, but I'd try to get the bins at a lower price. Provided the other lenses and the focuser and so on are OK.

Hermann

 

[PYRTLE]

I agree with Hermann, these don't look like careful cleaning marks, rather the delamination or breaking up of the objective coatings. I have a 5 year old black SF with no loss yet of bridge paint, just for info.

 

[Conndomat]

They state the glass is free from defects except for these "cleaning marks". Seems to only be on 1 lens. The other doesn't seem to have marks as visible as these.

Hi,

then the seller should clean the lenses and take new pictures!

To me it definitely looks like scratches.

Andreas

 

[Gdavis248]

In that case I'd offer them a lower price. 1500 USD or so. Or even lower. These scratches will not be visible in the image, but I'd try to get the bins at a lower price. Provided the other lenses and the focuser and so on are OK.

Herman

$1,500 was about what I I was thinking as well. Preferably $1,300.

Is this something Zeiss would fix if I were to get them and send them in for repair? I assume they would charge a hefty amount.

 

[Yarkho]

Likely they won't be optically compromised. But the price is steep, you never know, and these are not cleaning marks. Unless the person cleaned the objective with a screwdriver or something.

 

[Hermann]

$1,500 was about what I I was thinking as well. Preferably $1,300.

Is this something Zeiss would fix if I were to get them and send them in for repair? I assume they would charge a hefty amount.

Yes, it would be expensive. They'd change the objective lens. And quite honestly, I don't think it's worth it. Try to get them at a lower price and just use them.

BTW, this damage occurs when you clean the lens with a dirty cloth or when there's still some sand on the lens. Can happen quite easily.

Hermann

 

[Conndomat]

If someone smears a lens like this, there may still be a number of micro-scratches that cannot be captured photographically.
Then at the latest it can minimize the contrast and possibly cause fine scattered light.

Andreas

 

[Yarkho]

Well, I learned the sand-and-cleaning-cloth lesson the hard way with my first astro telescope too, but that resulted in a much smaller scratch. You have to be quite determined to produce scratches like this.

 

[Hermann]

Well, I learned the sand-and-cleaning-cloth lesson the hard way with my first astro telescope too, but that resulted in a much smaller scratch. You have to be quite determined to produce scratches like this.

It's quite easy, in fact. I've seen that happening in the field more than once: You're out birding at the coast, on a wet and windy day, and get some water or salt spray on your objective lenses. There are birds flying past, and you don't want to miss them, so you get out your hanky to wipe the water off. But there's also some sand on the lenses ...

Hermann

 

[mwhogue]

@Gdavis248

Not to put too fine a point on it, but:

I agree with everyone else, these are "scratches" not "cleaning marks".

If these scratches are only on one objective lens, IME they are unlikely to noticeably interfere with the view as others advise.

I would be concerned about other possible issues however in light of the seller's miscommunication, or at best misunderstanding, about the scratches.

If you decide to try them I would agree with you and be more inclined to offer @ $1300. Even though the view might not be compromised, the scratches are a defect and the $1900 asking price is unjustified.

Mike

 

[Patudo]

But if you take your binoculars into the field there's always going to be the risk that an accident could happen. That's part of birding.

@OP - it's a buyer's market, drive a hard bargain and see how it goes. As we say over here - "there's no harm in trying it on".

 

[MiddleRiver]

Buy once cry once.
I'm not sure I'd want them for $1300. There are equal bins around (specially on BF) for $1500 that are often minty and from well known sellers. Patience grasshopper!

 

[Dennis Mau]

That looks like a scratch because it is so easily seen. I would never buy them for any price. I sold my LNIB Zeiss SF 8x42 SF for $1800 and they were perfect. Buy a Zeiss Conquest HDX 8x42 or Nikon HG 8x42 brand new for $1000. They are 95% of the view for less than 1/2 the price.