LENS WITH VERY LOW CONTRAST - RINGFOTO 400mm F/5.9

[ACOSTAFORUM]

Hello Fellow members:

This is my first post, and this is to ask for some help/suggestions.
I bought the above old lens in Ebay, and, when testing it in my Canon Digital Rebel (300D), the results are complete rubbish - very foggy images, even when stopped down (it improves, but still useless).
Looking thru the viewfinder, I seem to see fog in the inferior part of the image - but looking at the glass, from front and back of lens, I caanot see anything wrong.
Will the lens improve much by having it professionaally cleaned?
Any suggestions?
Thanks very much.
Alberto+
14/11/22008[img][/img]

[Attila]

[Orio]

Alberto,
if you don't give us the name of the lens, how can we help you??

[Attila]

I guess this lens is branded as Ringfoto. I expect low quality maker.

[luisalegria]

It may be an early preset Tokina (Tokyo Koki). They had a 400/5.9, which was probably the pride of the line back in those days.

There can't be too many other 400/5.9's around ! This thing is a collectors item. I think they were also sold under the Accura label, as "Ultratel".

The problem may be flare. Some lenses deal badly with this on DSLR's. Are you using a good hood ? Do you have the same problem shooting with the sun behind you ?

Sometimes the problem goes away on a different camera also. Member Haksawbob had an Arco 135 (rare third party lens) that had this bad. I got the same lens and I have no problems at all on my Pentax.

[ACOSTAFORUM]

Thanks to all members.
It is indeed as per subject line

. Made in Japan. Very big, and heavy.
I read somewhere (after googling the name) Ringfoto is the company who owns now Cosina/Voigtlander. The lens must be at least 3 decades old.
I'll try again to post one image (original, plus auto-corrected).
I did make a black hood and used it for the photos.
The sun in the back does not solve the problem.

[Jesito]

Maybe you are overexposing the picture, Aren't you?
Which mode of shooting are you using?.

Kind regards,
Jes.