Lens fungus - repair or replace?

[Turn7]

I have an aging Nikkor 70-300 that I still like and use regularly .

At some point it's got damp and now has fungus on the inside of the
Front lens and probably elsewhere too.

Given that it's not the dearest glass in the world,
Would you repair or replace?


If repair who would you recommend ?

[Simpo Two]

If it's the old ED version it's probably cheaper to find another on eBay. Or better still, get the VR version.

[Turn7]

Has both ED and VR...

[Simpo Two]

I went from ED to VR and the old one went on eBay.

What do you find the ED does better than the VR?

Edited by Simpo Two on Tuesday 20th June 12:00

[Magic919]

I'd replace it rather than have someone take it apart and clean.

[Turn7]

Simpo Two said:

I went from ED to VR and the old one went on eBay.

What do you find the ED does better than the VR?

Confused ?

Im talking about this lens :

https://www.srsmicrosystems.co.uk/nikon-70-300mm-f...

[peter tdci]

Turn7 said:

I have an aging Nikkor 70-300 that I still like and use regularly .

At some point it's got damp and now has fungus on the inside of the
Front lens and probably elsewhere too.

Given that it's not the dearest glass in the world,
Would you repair or replace?


If repair who would you recommend ?

I've used Fixation a few times for lens work (once to clean out fungus) and they've always given great service. You could always give them a call to see if they'll give you a ballpark figure and then you can work out if it would be worth it.

[singlecoil]

Canon have fixed prices for some lens repair jobs, prices depend on model. Might be worth contacting Nikon and see if they do too, then you'll be able to compare the price with a new one and decide.

[Simpo Two]

Turn7 said:

Im talking about this lens :

https://www.srsmicrosystems.co.uk/nikon-70-300mm-f...

Yes, that's the VR version. Why do you want the older less-good non-AF-S version with extra fungus as well?

[Turn7]

Simpo Two said:

Turn7 said:

Im talking about this lens :

https://www.srsmicrosystems.co.uk/nikon-70-300mm-f...

Yes, that's the VR version. Why do you want the older less-good non-AF-S version with extra fungus as well?

I dont, the lens above is the one I have with fungus.....

[eltawater]

A decent 2nd hand one from MPB is normally around £280 when they have them in stock. I expect the repair cost is going to be at least 50-70% of that if you went the Fixation route.

[Gad-Westy]

Simpo Two said:

Turn7 said:

Im talking about this lens :

https://www.srsmicrosystems.co.uk/nikon-70-300mm-f...

Yes, that's the VR version. Why do you want the older less-good non-AF-S version with extra fungus as well?

I think you might need a lie down ST The OP has the VR version and it has fungus. He hasn't mentioned replacing it with a different version.

Personally I would think the most cost effective thing to do would be to stick it on ebay spares/repairs auction with issues listed and get what you can for it. If it's still functioning to any level, take some sample pics with it too and chuck them on the ad. You may be surprised how much people are prepared to pay for something like this. Use the proceeds to get another good used one. They seem to go for anything from £200-£300.

[Simpo Two]

Turn7 said:

I dont, the lens above is the one I have with fungus.....

But you said:

Turn7 said:

Has both ED and VR...

[Magic919]

This is too hard to follow.

[Gad-Westy]

Simpo Two said:

Turn7 said:

I dont, the lens above is the one I have with fungus.....

But you said:

Turn7 said:

Has both ED and VR...

The 70-300 AF-S VR is an ED lens.

http://www.wexphotographic.com/nikon-70-300mm-f4-5...

[Simpo Two]

Gad-Westy said:

The 70-300 AF-S VR is an ED lens.

Ah I see what he means now.

However 'ED' is more usually used to refer to a specific version of the 70-300:



The list is G, ED, VR - each lens using its distinguising characteristic.

Back the question, get a quote to fix it. If it's more than the price of a new one, buy a new one. Simples!

[Turn7]

Glad we got there inthe end !