JML 20x eBay lens condition

Rylee Isitt · Post by **Rylee Isitt** » Fri Jul 06, 2012 3:33 pm

This is a question for all members who purchased the JML 20x lens from eBay (from the only seller currently selling them), or through the bulk order that was coordinated on this forum (ultimately from the same eBay seller, I believe).

I am wondering about the condition of the optical coatings. These are invisible unless the objective is held at a certain angle. Hold the lens and change the angle until you see a vibrantly colored, almost opaque surface. Please let me know if you see any damage, such as missing chunks, scratches, etc. I'd like to get a general sense for the quality of these lenses before buying.

The coatings are the most fragile optical component, easily damaged by improper cleaning, yet I have not encountered a single seller on eBay discussing the condition of the coatings in their sales of objectives. Perhaps because the smallest of front elements really requires a stereo microscope to inspect?

If the majority of comments indicate that the coatings are in good condition, I might buy this lens directly from the seller, despite the UPS shipping (very expensive brokerage fees). I'm still on the fence.

abpho · Post by **abpho** » Fri Jul 06, 2012 6:19 pm

It's kind of a gamble with buying used (on E-bay). This, however, is a very cheap lens. Even if you get a dud it's not like you are out a ton.

Given the samples that people are posting, I'd say the lenses are typically in great condition.

Rylee Isitt · Post by **Rylee Isitt** » Fri Jul 06, 2012 8:23 pm

Hehe, well the lens has gone up in price - it's now $50 CAD. Shipping is another $26, and I'll make the (probably safe) assumption that the UPS brokerage fee will be 50% of the item's declared value (that's what it was last time I did business with them once taxes were factored in). So another $25. So we're talking about at least five high quality medium pizzas here.

But at least with pizza, if it arrives missing the pepperoni, they'll give me a second pizza for free. If there's something wrong with an item purchased on eBay, it's only the seller's generosity that could ever get you your shipping fees refunded, and only blind luck that you can get your brokerage fees back.

So you see my problem

abpho · Post by **abpho** » Fri Jul 06, 2012 9:15 pm

I know what you mean with ordering from the States and having the item shipped with UPS. I also know what it means to have to return an item. Sometimes the seller is not ten trusting.

Have you tried asking the seller to provide more information.

Maybe Rich has an extra JML 20x lens that he could sell and mail to you via USPS. He recently was kind enough (might still be) to order and ship tons of these bad boys all over the world.

Rylee Isitt · Post by **Rylee Isitt** » Fri Jul 06, 2012 10:48 pm

Actually, I was in contact with Rich. The lens is still in something of an impulse buy status for me, and in the end his hard work having the item shipped for me would not likely save any money anyway.

But if owners have no had issues with the optical condition, coatings included, then I'll probably buy from the seller directly. The image quality is quite good based on what I've seen on the forum - not sure how it'll compare to my Nikon M 20x LWD, but for the price it's worth checking out.

I did ask the eBay seller about the condition of the coatings, so I'll wait to hear back.

g4lab · Post by **g4lab** » Sat Jul 07, 2012 11:51 am

Just a comment on the ebay seller of the JML lens.

I have bought literally tons of gear from them. The very few times something was not right, they just punched out a refund. Shipping included and NEVER asked for the product back. They are very good ebay sellers and citizens. As good as any I have run across except one who might be even better.(The Dutch seller Dirk Marel eapoecistronnl) But they are certainly as good as you could ask or hope for.

I recently bought a Microscoft/Pharos GPS sensor from them to go with my laptop. It sort of worked intermittently. I wanted merely an adjustment because I was interested in keeping the interconnect cable. They just refunded everything and I did not even have the chance to bargain for the cable. They refunded the money(entire payment including shipping charges) and said don't bother shipping the product back.

If anyone is that interested I will furnish them my ebay handle by private message and they can see the feedback I have left for this seller. (Seller ID = sunnking ) I have been buying from them for at least 10 years.

Just my $0.02

Rylee Isitt · Post by **Rylee Isitt** » Sat Jul 07, 2012 4:58 pm

g4lab,

Thanks for that. Much more insightful than the too-short, cookie cutter feedback that users leave on eBay.

Based on your experience, I feel fairly safe buying from this seller. How sellers handle customer support is probably the most important factor in whether it's worth taking a risk on used items such as this.

I'll probably buy the lens from sunnking directly. No point having Rich go out of his way to save me less than $10. It's still very much an impulse buy, but since I've dwelled on it for several days, and it's not expensive, I feel better about it than a lot of other impulse buys I've made.