hello folks :-)

i've got this option to buy a second hand EF 75-300 non-usm lens (the mark II i think)...

1. the lens is 3 yrs old.. 2. the guy selling it is telling me up front that there is a slight fungus problem...but can be cleaned pretty cheaply. 3. the warranty has expired.

he is offering the lens for a pretty good price though... what really bothers me is the fungus thing...can it be effectively cleaned ??? how much effect will that have on my exposures ??

point is i don't have any qualms about buying second hand stuff....but i don't want to end up buying something just because its availaible at a price i can afford.

will the fungus thing be a problem or can it be easily cleared ?

thanx all

-- Venkat (venkat_p_iyer@yahoo.com), April 08, 2002

Answers

Just one straight forward answer... NO NO NO Dont buy it. Wait for some more time, have enough money in your pocket go and get a new one or a better second hand one. NO for reasons...

1. "the guy selling it is telling me up front that there is a slight fungus problem". You may get answers from experts of this forum saying fungus is the most dangerous thing to lenses. Once it is there it would be difficult to clean it up as it eats up the lens coating.

2. "EF 75-300 non-usm lens (the mark II i think)... " Even if it is a new lens, 75-300 is not good optically. Read archives of this forum, you can find out suggestions for a good glass in this focal length range.

-- John (eosquestions@yahoo.com), April 08, 2002.

I would agree, and say don't buy it.

The 75-300, if you must have one, is available so cheaply new that this would be throwing money away.

There are some FAR better choices in the second-hand market. My choice would be to find a 70-210 F3.5-4.5 USM, which will be much nicer to use, and give you much better results.

-- Isaac Sibson (isibson@hotmail.com), April 08, 2002.

you should buy the fungus affected lens only if your friend is offering it free. even then you should think about whether to use it or not. it might affect your films.

-- sajeev (chack74@yahoo.co.in), April 08, 2002.

I would not take it even if it is free of cost. I dont want to destroy my future photographs.

-- Sharath (sharathblr2000@yahoo.com), April 08, 2002.

A skilled photographer can take a less than perfect lens and make great photographs with it. The 75-300 is "okay" but not a great lens to begin with. With fungusamongus in the picture, don't even consider it

-- Lee (Leemarthakiri@sport.rr.com), April 08, 2002.