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Upsilon undoing
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PostPosted: Mon Aug 12, 2013 2:40 am    Post subject: Upsilon undoing Reply with quote
The Upsilon 24/2.8 mentioned in this thread

http://forum.mflenses.com/upsilon-24mm-f2-8-seeking-your-opinion-on-mount-t60644.html

arrived. Unfortunately.

The seller blindsided me with three undisclosed problems:

1. Sticky aperture which made lens unusable
2. Several long hairline scratches
3. Missing screw

I'm guessing the seller tried to fix the aperture and lost the screw in the process. I had to use acetone to reach the aperture. It was the only way I could free the rear lens group. That group still had the factory glue and had not been unscrewed prior. Once I had access to it, cleaning up the aperture was straightforward. However:

Sometimes you get the bear and other times the bear gets you. This time the bear got me. I cannot repair scratches in glass. And the missing screw is tiny, special, and essentially irreplaceable. So this lens, while now functional, is not complete and will never approach what I would call good condition.

This purchase has been a disappointment, and a defeat. I hate when sellers fail to disclose material information about a lens.

For would-be Upsilon repairers who might pass this way in future:

It's not a bad lens to work on. Just be sure the one you buy comes complete with all its parts! Sad


PostPosted: Mon Aug 12, 2013 10:41 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
What does the missing screw do? You might be able to find a direct replacement from a parts lens, just look for an old Sigma YS mount lens with the same barrel style. Given what you paid, I'd think you still won.


PostPosted: Mon Aug 12, 2013 12:23 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Mos6502 wrote:
What does the missing screw do? You might be able to find a direct replacement from a parts lens, just look for an old Sigma YS mount lens with the same barrel style. Given what you paid, I'd think you still won.


Thanks for the kind words. The missing screw is not part of the YS mount. The lens works without it. Still, if I were selling a lens I would mention the missing screw, the aperture disfunction, and the scratches.

I suppose the lens following repair, being a 24, might be worth what I paid. But it's in worse shape than the other lenses I own. I don't like the seller's disclosure failure.

Also, this is the first Upsilon lens I ever have seen. So I think chances for locating a parts donor lens are sparse. It's OK if somebody is unable to repair a lens. I have a couple that are driving me nuts. But there is no excuse for losing parts.


PostPosted: Mon Aug 12, 2013 7:49 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Yes their failure to be accurate certainly.

However - I'm really convinced that is a rebranded Sigma lens, and that you might find the right size screw from a more common Sigma from the same era.


PostPosted: Mon Aug 12, 2013 9:00 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Mos6502 wrote:
Yes their failure to be accurate certainly.

However - I'm really convinced that is a rebranded Sigma lens, and that you might find the right size screw from a more common Sigma from the same era.


Understood. There is no question this lens was made by Sigma. Rebranded I would have to question because, in doing my research, I never ran into that interpretation. Instead, I think this Upsilon lens is a model, made my Sigma, but separate and distinct unto itself.

The only 24mm pure Sigmas I run into are the Super Wides, which cost an absolute fortune, and the (I think older) Sigma-Z series lenses. While I've never personally run across a Sigma-Z lens with such a short focal length as 24mm, I believe they exist. AFAIK this Upsilon is similar to neither of the aforementioned lenses. But I could be in error, or it might be similar to a Sigma lens I've not run across.

These 24mm MF lenses are really tough (i.e., dear) right now. For example, here is one I've been following (though I assure you not bidding):

Click here to see on Ebay

Of course that's a beautiful lens, far more gorgeous and desirable than my (albeit faster) little Upsilon with so many warts. I do have to question, though, whether it is an order of magnitude more desirable (Full disclosure: regardless what it says at the (now) closed Upsilon auction, my lens came with free shipping. So the price delta really is an order of magnitude.)
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