Pentax 1200mm FUNGUS! for $5099

Pentax 1200mm FUNGUS! for $5099 · 05:07 PM

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This image is horrifying...

and this one..

Pentax A* ED IF F/8 1200mm 8/1200mm #5953255 FUNGUS | eBay

Maybe a project offer of $1000 for someone capable of trying to remove the fungus?

**ChipB** · 06-10-2018, 05:53 PM

Wonder if Eric would be willing to tackle this? What a project!!

rawr · 06-10-2018, 06:00 PM

Problem with lenses like that it they won't easily fit into a dry-cabinet.

Unless you use it every day, you'd have to live in dry, mountain areas to keep such a lens safe in storage.

Wild Mark · 06-10-2018, 09:43 PM

Ridiculous price. The risk is the fungus infected elements need recoating. Price does not reflect the risk.

LensBeginner · 06-11-2018, 07:42 AM

Originally posted by Wild Mark

Ridiculous price. The risk is the fungus infected elements need recoating. Price does not reflect the risk.

Or, worse, if it has etched the glass...

**EssJayEff** · 06-11-2018, 02:05 PM

Must be a rare species of fungus . . .

Wild Mark · 06-11-2018, 02:44 PM

Originally posted by EssJayEff

Must be a rare species of fungus . . .

lol - but seriously the byproduct of fungal growth can be chemicals that can etch glass - disaster

**jbondo** · 06-13-2018, 10:47 AM

Tragedy. Of the lenses I've cleaned that suffered fungus etching, a greater proportion had a pattern resembling this one. Also can't see how many of the inner elements are affected. Wouldn't touch it for that price.

pacu · 06-14-2018, 07:33 AM

I would continue to use it and assemble a custom dry box for storage. Make the most of it for as long as possible. I don't think you will be able to sell it unless someone needs spare parts for repairing another lens.

DeadJohn · 06-14-2018, 07:35 AM - **1 Like**

At least the seller is being honest. "Fungus" is mentioned 4 times in the listing, and the photos show the problem is widespread not just a little spot. I wonder how many elements are damaged.

Anyone who spends $5000 on that is a gambler.

---------- Post added 06-14-18 at 10:47 AM ----------

Originally posted by rawr

Problem with lenses like that it they won't easily fit into a dry-cabinet.

This $40 storage box can likely fit that lens. Add a large desiccant pack for an inexpensive storage solution.

Clear Weathertight Trunk | The Container Store

**Clinton** · 06-15-2018, 11:30 AM

I might offer up $800

Eyewanders · 06-15-2018, 01:27 PM

A gamble indeed. I just offered on a Hexanon 85/1.8 that was priced far too high - similar (worse) fungus pattern than shown here yet they were trying to get near market value for a clean lens out of it. Honest about condition or not, you've got to reflect the risk. At least in my short experience, Pentax coatings seem to hold up better/resist etching quite a bit more than many others.
My guess here though, with the BIN price that high there's little to no chance the seller would take a truly *reasonable* offer. :-/

**monochrome** · 06-15-2018, 01:42 PM - **1 Like**

IMO and from past observation (including with Forum members) the clearing price for this lens in perfect operating condition and EX- / Good+ Cosmetic is $7,500 +/- $1,000, I wouldn’t offer $2,500 for this lens.

Edit: Take Clinton’s advice above - $800 - he’s much more knowledgeable about the full range of vintage Pentax extreme telephoto lenses. I only follow K lenses closely (I have a K500/4.5 and a K1000/8).

**Clinton** · 06-18-2018, 06:49 AM

Originally posted by monochrome

I wouldn’t offer $2,500 for this lens.

Exactly. There's probably a price point where it's worth a gamble. Even with etched glass you might be happy with the result. I suggest this is closer to $1500 delivered.

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06-15-2018, 01:42 PM - 1 Like	#13
monochrome Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Working From Home Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 26,276	IMO and from past observation (including with Forum members) the clearing price for this lens in perfect operating condition and EX- / Good+ Cosmetic is $7,500 +/- $1,000, I wouldn’t offer $2,500 for this lens. Edit: Take Clinton’s advice above - $800 - he’s much more knowledgeable about the full range of vintage Pentax extreme telephoto lenses. I only follow K lenses closely (I have a K500/4.5 and a K1000/8). Last edited by monochrome; 06-15-2018 at 02:31 PM.

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06-10-2018, 05:53 PM	#2
ChipB Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Eau Claire, WI Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,701	Wonder if Eric would be willing to tackle this? What a project!!

06-10-2018, 06:00 PM	#3
rawr Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 11,913	Problem with lenses like that it they won't easily fit into a dry-cabinet. Unless you use it every day, you'd have to live in dry, mountain areas to keep such a lens safe in storage.

06-10-2018, 09:43 PM	#4
Wild Mark Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Newcastle Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,954	Ridiculous price. The risk is the fungus infected elements need recoating. Price does not reflect the risk.

06-11-2018, 07:42 AM	#5
LensBeginner Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Photos: Albums Posts: 4,696	Originally posted by Wild Mark Ridiculous price. The risk is the fungus infected elements need recoating. Price does not reflect the risk. Or, worse, if it has etched the glass...

06-11-2018, 02:05 PM	#6
EssJayEff Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: near Saxapahaw, NC Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 970	Must be a rare species of fungus . . .

06-11-2018, 02:44 PM	#7
Wild Mark Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Newcastle Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,954	Originally posted by EssJayEff Must be a rare species of fungus . . . lol - but seriously the byproduct of fungal growth can be chemicals that can etch glass - disaster

06-13-2018, 10:47 AM	#8
jbondo Loyal Site Supportaxian Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Texas Photos: Albums Posts: 503	Tragedy. Of the lenses I've cleaned that suffered fungus etching, a greater proportion had a pattern resembling this one. Also can't see how many of the inner elements are affected. Wouldn't touch it for that price.

06-14-2018, 07:33 AM	#9
pacu Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Posts: 91	I would continue to use it and assemble a custom dry box for storage. Make the most of it for as long as possible. I don't think you will be able to sell it unless someone needs spare parts for repairing another lens.

06-14-2018, 07:35 AM - 1 Like	#10
DeadJohn Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: New York Posts: 4,834	At least the seller is being honest. "Fungus" is mentioned 4 times in the listing, and the photos show the problem is widespread not just a little spot. I wonder how many elements are damaged. Anyone who spends $5000 on that is a gambler. ---------- Post added 06-14-18 at 10:47 AM ---------- Originally posted by rawr Problem with lenses like that it they won't easily fit into a dry-cabinet. This $40 storage box can likely fit that lens. Add a large desiccant pack for an inexpensive storage solution. Clear Weathertight Trunk \| The Container Store

06-15-2018, 11:30 AM	#11
Clinton Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Salt Lake City, UT Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,912 Original Poster	I might offer up $800

06-15-2018, 01:27 PM	#12
Eyewanders Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Land of the Salish Sea Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,343	A gamble indeed. I just offered on a Hexanon 85/1.8 that was priced far too high - similar (worse) fungus pattern than shown here yet they were trying to get near market value for a clean lens out of it. Honest about condition or not, you've got to reflect the risk. At least in my short experience, Pentax coatings seem to hold up better/resist etching quite a bit more than many others. My guess here though, with the BIN price that high there's little to no chance the seller would take a truly reasonable offer. :-/

06-18-2018, 06:49 AM	#14
Clinton Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Salt Lake City, UT Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,912 Original Poster	Originally posted by monochrome I wouldn’t offer $2,500 for this lens. Exactly. There's probably a price point where it's worth a gamble. Even with etched glass you might be happy with the result. I suggest this is closer to $1500 delivered.