Short version: I have sent it back to KEH.
Longer version:
I kept thinking that the lens was too good for an Ugly rating, even by
KEH. On about my fifth inspection, in just the right light, squinting my eyes
and wrinkling my nose, I could see what looked like a faint haze on an interior
lens surface. Careful cleaning of front and back lens surfaces, another look,
and yes the haze is on the inside. I've seen lenses at various stages of fungal
infection; this does not look like fungus to me. More likely a lubricant which
has vaporized and then deposited on the lens element (a good reason not to
leave lenses where they will get too hot!)
The haze probably reduces the sharpness of the lens from what it was
when new. But as you saw I got decent images nonetheless.
So, it will probably be back up on KEH's virtual shelf soon. If you want a
good-enough long lens to explore telephoto shooting, this may be a worthwhile
gamble for you. Or you could spend a little more and buy the M*300/4 CollinB is
selling.
stan
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