Five years ago I found a good deal on a 200mm f1.8 lens, and despite still being expensive, I decided to go for it. It showed up from Japan in a frighteningly undersized box. And sure enough, the front flange of the lens got impacted and bent in during shipping. So I had to send it back.
Fast forward to today, I finally saw another one pop up within my price range, and I jumped on it. The lens arrived safely, cosmetically it looks great, better than most of these lenses do at this age. Buuuuut, the photos it takes are just no good. Here's a comparison of this lens with my EF 70-200 f2.8 II. Both photos at 2.8. Unfortunately it's clear that something is really, really wrong with this lens.
I am very close to Midwest Camera Repair. What are the chances this is fixable? Or, should I play it safe and just send the lens back. These things are so rare and so expensive, it seems that I'm cursed to never actually be able to get one to keep, despite my best attempts.
Fast forward to today, I finally saw another one pop up within my price range, and I jumped on it. The lens arrived safely, cosmetically it looks great, better than most of these lenses do at this age. Buuuuut, the photos it takes are just no good. Here's a comparison of this lens with my EF 70-200 f2.8 II. Both photos at 2.8. Unfortunately it's clear that something is really, really wrong with this lens.
I am very close to Midwest Camera Repair. What are the chances this is fixable? Or, should I play it safe and just send the lens back. These things are so rare and so expensive, it seems that I'm cursed to never actually be able to get one to keep, despite my best attempts.