Lens purchasing decision

Scott_the_Artist · 09-14-2009, 09:10 AM

So a friend/former student of mine wants to sell me a lens. It's a Pentax-M 50mm f1.4. He wants $40 but it has fungus (light to moderate?). He's letting me borrow it to see whether or not I want to buy it.
I've taken several photos with the lens and I can't really tell whether or not the fungus is having an effect on the photo quality.
Will this lens get progressively worse? If I decide that I want to buy it, would the fungus have the ability to "infect" my other lenses if I keep it in the same bag?
I'd like to know if it would be a good purchase. I don't know much about lens fungus except for the fact that it etches glass.

By the way, it broke my heart to see a lens like this with fungus in it.

Pentaxor · 09-14-2009, 09:20 AM

dont buy it. you would find a lot of 50 1.4 in the used market and in a much better condition for the same price.

**dcmsox2004** · 09-14-2009, 09:22 AM

you could probably get a clean smc a 50mm 1.7 for about $50 or so.... nice lens, very good ratings here in the forum...

Scott_the_Artist · 09-14-2009, 09:38 AM

I already have a Super-Takumar 50mm 1.4, but I thought it would be nice to have the Pentax-M for its K-mount convenience. I paid $50 for my 50mm 1.4 Takumar and felt like that was a good deal. They've been going from $70-$90 on Ebay and the K-mounts have been going for more than that. If anyone would sell me a K-mount 50mm 1.4 for $50, I would love to have it, but I've never seen one that cheap.

Scott_the_Artist · 09-14-2009, 09:57 AM

So if I did want it, how much should I offer him for it? Or would it be foolish to put a lens with fungus into my camera bag. I don't know if it can spread to other lenses or get into a bag.

enoeske · 09-14-2009, 09:58 AM

agreed. I've been scouring the ebay and can't find a decent deal on anything. At least nothing with AF. There are some nice M 50mm about but even those are going for a little higher than they should.

If anyone has an smc a 50mm 1.4 or 1.7 they are looking to drop for relatively cheap...

**Avenger** · 09-14-2009, 07:20 PM

I've also wondered about an "infected" lens and if it would contaminate other lens. So I Googled Lens fungus and got these links:

Fungi in Photographic Lens
Fungus and Camera Lenses
Digital Photography World: DEALING WITH FUNGUS IN THE LENS

IMHO I myself would not buy the lens and tempt fate. However, I already own that lens so it's easy for me to say no, but I really really love the lens, it's super sharp and the AF on my K10D focuses better than my tired eyes.

Good Luck!

09-14-2009, 09:10 AM	#1
Scott_the_Artist Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Gainesville, FL Posts: 62	Lens purchasing decision So a friend/former student of mine wants to sell me a lens. It's a Pentax-M 50mm f1.4. He wants $40 but it has fungus (light to moderate?). He's letting me borrow it to see whether or not I want to buy it. I've taken several photos with the lens and I can't really tell whether or not the fungus is having an effect on the photo quality. Will this lens get progressively worse? If I decide that I want to buy it, would the fungus have the ability to "infect" my other lenses if I keep it in the same bag? I'd like to know if it would be a good purchase. I don't know much about lens fungus except for the fact that it etches glass. By the way, it broke my heart to see a lens like this with fungus in it.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
generic lens purchasing question	tibbitts	Ask B&H Photo!	6	07-11-2010 11:15 AM
Lens purchasing: Order of acqusition?	kyteflyer	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	23	06-30-2010 06:35 PM
Need advise on purchasing a pentax lens	Sandy Kay	Troubleshooting and Beginner Help	10	06-25-2009 11:06 AM
First time purchasing lens, need advice	Shogo	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	11	03-01-2008 06:14 AM
Looking at purchasing a used lens	Woods12	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	3	02-22-2008 01:50 PM

09-14-2009, 09:20 AM	#2
Pentaxor Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Vancouver, B.C. Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,513	dont buy it. you would find a lot of 50 1.4 in the used market and in a much better condition for the same price.

09-14-2009, 09:22 AM	#3
dcmsox2004 Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: rhode island Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,522	you could probably get a clean smc a 50mm 1.7 for about $50 or so.... nice lens, very good ratings here in the forum...

09-14-2009, 09:38 AM	#4
Scott_the_Artist Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Gainesville, FL Posts: 62 Original Poster	I already have a Super-Takumar 50mm 1.4, but I thought it would be nice to have the Pentax-M for its K-mount convenience. I paid $50 for my 50mm 1.4 Takumar and felt like that was a good deal. They've been going from $70-$90 on Ebay and the K-mounts have been going for more than that. If anyone would sell me a K-mount 50mm 1.4 for $50, I would love to have it, but I've never seen one that cheap.

09-14-2009, 09:57 AM	#5
Scott_the_Artist Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Gainesville, FL Posts: 62 Original Poster	So if I did want it, how much should I offer him for it? Or would it be foolish to put a lens with fungus into my camera bag. I don't know if it can spread to other lenses or get into a bag.

09-14-2009, 09:58 AM	#6
enoeske Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Surprise, Az Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,136	agreed. I've been scouring the ebay and can't find a decent deal on anything. At least nothing with AF. There are some nice M 50mm about but even those are going for a little higher than they should. If anyone has an smc a 50mm 1.4 or 1.7 they are looking to drop for relatively cheap...

09-14-2009, 07:20 PM	#7
Avenger Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Toronto Photos: Albums Posts: 60	I've also wondered about an "infected" lens and if it would contaminate other lens. So I Googled Lens fungus and got these links: Fungi in Photographic Lens Fungus and Camera Lenses Digital Photography World: DEALING WITH FUNGUS IN THE LENS IMHO I myself would not buy the lens and tempt fate. However, I already own that lens so it's easy for me to say no, but I really really love the lens, it's super sharp and the AF on my K10D focuses better than my tired eyes. Good Luck!