[Elle]

Does anyone know anything about the Vivitar 70-210mm 1:4.5 Macro focusing zoom? I just picked one up on Ebay for $15.00 and wonder if anyone has used one... deal or dud? I am thinking it may be dud, since after cleaning the glass I noted what appears to be tiny spiderweb looking things on the glass... any hope for a cure?

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Last edited by Elle; 05-29-2008 at 10:07 AM. Reason: Expanded information

[procyon]

The spiderweb is a fungus. Common with old lenses.
It might be curable to some degree if it is only on the outside part of front or rear element (so you can clean it without dissassembling the lens (which is a really bad idea for zoom lenses unless you're a specialist)).
Also cleaning the fungus may remove some of the coating on the element.

[maxwell1295]

Bad news: The "tiny spiderweb looking things on the glass" is probably fungus.

Good news: You only paid $15 for the lens (which is about what it's worth)If you really want a nice zoom in that range, I'd recommend trying to find a Pentax-A 70-210mm/F4. It does macros at 70mm and is one of the sharpest and contrasty zooms out there. It's manual focus as well. I would sell the Viv and the Tokina and add some $$$ to get the A70-210.

[Elle]

Thanks to all. I am waiting to hear back from the seller, who said it was "fungus free" to see if he wants me to send it back to him.

Fungi likes wet and dark places. Put the lens at the sun or close to a strong UV source. For 15 usd I wouldnt even care about returning it, you will have to pay shipping and that is almost as expensive as the lens. At any case, you can contact the seller and if he/she doesnt cooperate you can leave a well deserved negative feedback.

[Elle]

Like in the car on the front winsheild parked in the sun? Will that take care of the fungus or will I have to have it cleaned?

[christinelandon]

I wouldn't put a lens on the dash in a car–it is likely to get too warm and might melt the glue that locates internal lens elements. That could result in shifted elements, leaving you with one problem traded for another. Put it on a windowsill indoors, with the front element pointed to the sun. Your house won't heat up as much as a car interior, helping to dissipate the heat build-up in the lens.

Even if you manage to kill the fungus with solar UV, its mycelium (the spider-webby filaments you see) will still leave visible traces on lens elements. If you really like the lens and want to save it, I'm afraid you'll have to invest in a professional's time to have the lens disassembled, cleaned, reassembled, and realigned. Probably not worth it with the Viv.

[rparmar]

Put it on a windowsill indoors, with the front element pointed to the sun.

Just a quick note in case it is not obvious: never point a lens at the sun when it is on the camera. That can result in damage.

Also: do not store a fungus lens with other lenses. It can spread.

[christinelandon]

Oh, gad...I hope my "it" would be interpreted just as Robin has put it. Just the lens, never the lens on a camera!

One must be explicit lest newbies suffer, I suppose.

[Elle]

I returned it to the seller this morning. For those of you who, like me, shop on Ebay, beware of gooeyduck. He does not respond to emails (sent 2 over the last 2 days) so I am giving him until the end of the day and then posting negative feedback tomorrow if I don't hear from him.