This lens has been in intensive care unit (Andrei the repair guy) for many weeks. It came to me in 3 pieces. I am sure there is a horror story behind this tragic accident, but I guess we will never know what happened to it. How could the previous owner do such a thing to this lens is unthinkable. Thanks to Andrei for his excellent surgical skills, the patient has has left the hospital, and is enjoying what it was designed to do, render pictures. Sure, she ain't pretty any more; her skin is now rough to the touch, lips (filter rim) has dents from the uncaring previous partner(s), face has many scratches, and her youth (paint) has faded away by the unforgiving pass of time. But, beauty is only skin deep, no? She sure has a great sould (optics) and, like most beauties, a quirky personality that I am still learning to cope with.
Having used this lens for only two days, I can say that it's my new love :-) This baby is very capable in the reproduction department, er, reproduction ratio, that is. It can do 1:1 where many 50mm or 60mm lenses can usually do only 1:2. For macro use, being a short lens of 60mm, the front of the lens almost touches the subject when photographying in the 1:1 range. For this reason, I miss my Sigma 180mm f3.5 macro at times, but the light weight and great optical quality more than makes up for it.