Lens in the Ikraine for sale: I see a long canon lens for sale on eBay from the Ukraine. Maybe I’m just being foolish but should I ask if it glows from shooting in Chernobyl?? This...

Mooge

I see a long canon lens for sale on eBay from the Ukraine. Maybe I’m just being foolish but should I ask if it glows from shooting in Chernobyl?? This seems like taking a big chance to bid on a lens in the Ukraine but maybe I’m wrong ? What do you guys think??

Shel Loc: Lecanto FL

I am certain they will accept your money. Whether or not you would receive the canon lens offered for sale is another matter. My son "sold" a computer to a Russian. The accepted the computer but the payment failed. I think it is a big risk.

Mooge

Yes I’m sure they would accept my money ,ha ha! Yes what do I do when they send me a kit lens instead, call the better bureau of the Ukraine , ha ha

n3eg Loc: West coast USA

Mooge wrote:

...should I ask if it glows from shooting in Chernobyl?

No, that would be a Super Takumar.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Mooge, not really sure what you're up to ... but, if you're determined to find 'old great whites', are you looking at FD lenses? A $30 to $100 adapter puts these lenses on a Sony full frame digital mirrorless body. The MILC doesn't turn the lens to autofocus, but you do get in-body stablization and 100% EVF focus peek where you can actually see what you're focusing on. I haven't looked in a few months, but there also now should be quality adapters onto Canon's EOS-R bodies. Cheaper cost, excellent quality Canon L-series lenses. Readily available in traditional western democracies ...

New FD 300mm f/2.8L by Paul Sager, on Flickr

Math78 Loc: Scottsdale, AZ

I have bought 2 lenses and a camera from eBay sellers in Ukraine. No problems. Shipping took about 10 days. The risk is not really any different than buying from somebody you don't in the USA. You're depending on eBay to refund your money in both cases.

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

I did purchase a FSU {former Soviet Union} lens from a Ukrainian seller. It was no different than purchasing a lens from a U.S. seller at the end of a long, slow driveway.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

CHG_CANON wrote:

Mooge, not really sure what you're up to ... but, ... (show quote)

That's an impressive lens, but it's not what I would call a "walk-around." : )

Mooge

When I mean old lens I mean something not much older than 2006. I like my auto focus and image stabilization . Like a canon 500 mm made between 2006 and 2011 when they redesigned it. Would love the version 11 but just to dang expensive.

Wanderer2 Loc: Colorado Rocky Mountains

Mooge wrote:

I see a long canon lens for sale on eBay from the Ukraine. Maybe I’m just being foolish but should I ask if it glows from shooting in Chernobyl?? This seems like taking a big chance to bid on a lens in the Ukraine but maybe I’m wrong ? What do you guys think??

I assume you are joking about the lens being radioactive? Chernobyl is not in Ukraine and is about 250 - 300 miles away. I don't know how much fall out they got in Ukraine but it wouldn't be nearly as much as the radiation at the site.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Mooge wrote:

When I mean old lens I mean something not much older than 2006. I like my auto focus and image stabilization . Like a canon 500 mm made between 2006 and 2011 when they redesigned it. Would love the version 11 but just to dang expensive.

OK, or to paraphrase: first generation EF USMs w/ IS. As Canon releases a few final IIIs as well as migrates to the RF mount, these original IS-enabled versions will likely begin to show up more frequently in the market.

mizzee Loc: Boston,Ma

I think not.

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

Wanderer2 wrote:

I assume you are joking about the lens being radioactive? Chernobyl is not in Ukraine and is about 250 - 300 miles away. I don't know how much fall out they got in Ukraine but it wouldn't be nearly as much as the radiation at the site.

I believe it was a joke. 😁

The only radioactive lenses I know of were some Takumars made in Japan roughly 50 years ago - the ones that would yellow with age. They had nothing to do with artificial radioactivity - with Hiroshima or Nagasaki - but contained naturally occurring Thorium, and were {very} mildly radioactive from time of manufacture. Asahi got good optical performance from this formulation and used it for awhile at the end of their M42 line.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

I've purchased several lenses from Ukrainian sellers on ebay. Never a problem. On the additional topic, I have a few lenses that are radioactive. It has to do with the glass recipe used.
--Bob

Mooge wrote:

I see a long canon lens for sale on eBay from the Ukraine. Maybe I’m just being foolish but should I ask if it glows from shooting in Chernobyl?? This seems like taking a big chance to bid on a lens in the Ukraine but maybe I’m wrong ? What do you guys think??

mikeschwartz Loc: Hyde Park neighborhood of Chicago

I would suggest only buying equipment from the Ukraine through a third party which provides guarantees such as ebay. I've purchased several filters that was and had no problems.