Ffordes - Bargain grade 85mm f2

May be worth considering - some fungus but Ffordes have a no questions return policy


http://www.ffordes.com/product/18052916044651

That's a new one fungus doesn't effect the optical quality

Wouldn't touch it with a bargepole


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At least you can send it back or get it cleaned, depending on your risk appetite. As opposed to the usual shenanigans on the auction site....

Im with Algi… Wouldn't go near it.

If it was less than £70 I'd buy it. Fungus isn't a big deal.

General question about fungus on lenses like the one in question: just how difficult is it to dismantle them, clean off the fungus and then reassemble them.

OTOH, roughly how much would a reputable repair place charge to do the same work?

Ffordes will give you a refund but only for the value of the item, not for the extortionate amount they charge for delivery. Factor in what it would cost for a professional clean and it becomes probably the most expensive M 85mm f/2 I've seen.

If the optics were at 100% clean/mint condition before fungus then a repair brings the lens back to close to mint.

It's not hard to DIY it, the main issue is disassembling components that have been stuck together for years and years. From then it's a matter of keeping the various surfaces clean, and cleaning away fungus without damaging the coatings on the elements.

Fungus isn't usually too much of an issue but if it,s been there a long time it can etch the glass. Cleaning is then not possible.
That shouldn't be the case for 'light fungus spots' which as they say should have very little effect on the results, at least if they're not on the rear element. They can probably be seen in the Bokeh if you inspect carefully, but otherwise will probably only reduce contrast marginally.

Based on what I have just paid, fungus removal would cost about £50, so the lens is actually £150. The fungus removal would also include cleaning and rebuilding the lens, so you might end up with a better item than if you bought a fungus-free lens.

You might indeed. Or you might find that the screw heads inside have been burred. Taking on a lens that requires work is always a bit of a risk. I acquired a pentax-A 16mm 2.8 FE that had a tiny spot of fungus under the front element. A specialist (Alan Marlowe) was not able to get access to the rear of the element and despite his best efforts a little of the fungus remains. I did not pay much for the lens so don't feel I have lost anything, but price is key when considering a "project".

I tend to agree that the 85mm f2 is overpriced for it's condition. Why would the sellers not get the lens cleaned themselves and then price it at £200?