I have the opportunity to buy a Goerz dagor 12" f6.8 in an Ilex #4 shutter. I have three questions about this lens. First is that there are several scratches on the rear element, in the center area. They might be about a mm long. Does this ruin the lens, or does it still have potential for making sharp photos? Second is the price, it is $250, other than the scratches on the rear element it is in good condition and the shutter is in good shape. Third, the Ilex shutter has a little dial-like selector with four colors as the choices, it almost seems as though it was intended to dial in filters. Does anyone know what this dial is for?

As always, I really appreciate your help.

-- Mark DeMulder (mdemulde@usgs.gov), October 04, 2000

Answers

The dial is for selecting the flash-synchronization delay in milliseconds. For electronic flash you want the zero setting. You also have to cock the flash synchronizer in addition to the shutter.

This is explained by S. K. Grimes on his web site: http://www.skgrimes.com/ilex/index.htm

-- Michael Briggs (MichaelBriggs@earthlink.net), October 04, 2000.

Scratches on the rear element are more detrimental than scratches on the front, but you'll have to test it and see. See if the dealer will let you purchase it on approval. It's a wonderful lens, and the price is fine if the damage is not too severe.

-- David Goldfarb (dgoldfarb@barnard.edu), October 04, 2000.