Mitzis

I have a Sigma 70-500mm APO lens with the Pentax K mount. It functions completely on my Pentax K10 and Pentax K3, but has developed some fungus on the interior. In the past I have sent my repair work to United Camera Service in Illinois and have been very satisfied with the work, service, and costs. However, they no longer service Sigma lens due to the difficultly in getting parts.

Sigma itself will not work on any of their own lenses that were not purchased through a dealer, and you must present copies of your receipt. (A $250 surcharge is added to the total cost it the item proves to be Gray Market). I purchased the used lens about ten years from a fellow widow who was selling her late husband’s equipment and no invoice was involved. So, I cannot send it to Sigma.

KEH, which I have used a number of time to buy used items has provided me with good customer service, but I have never used their repair service. They charge a flat rate of $320 for zoom lens repair (They do not list a lens cleaning service so I am assuming this would fall under a repair classification.)

My questions are: 1. Has anyone had experience with KEH’s repair service? 2. Can anyone recommend other reliable sources for my need?
Thank you.

RichardSM Loc: Back in Texas

There are several sites on YouTube on how removed fungus form your lens you might want to have look.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Toss the lens. You cannot totally remove fungus, and it is generally not worth the cost, even if you could. Fungus feeds on the organic "glue" used to fuse elements together and once you have it, it's almost impossible to eliminate. Do you have a 70-300, 70-200, or a 50-500? Regardless, it's 10 yrs old that is the reason why no one will touch it. Sigma doesn't have parts for it, so if anyone claims they can fix it, they may have spare parts in their "lens junkyard" and the repair will be made with used parts. Even if it a 50-500, you can buy one used for around $450, and a 70-300 would be less expensive.

Ava'sPapa Loc: Cheshire, Ct.

Is the fungus affecting your photos ? I recall 30 or more years ago I had a Nikon 70-210 with fungus but it didn't affect the pics. If it is affecting your photos, I would agree with Gene51...replace it.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

My advice to you is to sell your lens as soon as possible. Fungus requires a complete tear down of your lens cause if fungus is in one spot it is probably developing in other parts of the lens. Yes, the lens can be serviced, but, most camera lenses today, especially Sigma's, have plastic inter parts which were not designed to take apart and put back together. So, even if the lenses can be fungus free, chances are good that your lens will not be the same lens as it was when sent in. And, your repair will probably cost more than what that lens is currently selling for. Replace it with a quality Pentax lens. Most likely it will not develop fungus issues.

markngolf Loc: Bridgewater, NJ

"My advice to you is to sell your lens as soon as possible." Perhaps you did not mean that? If it is advertised as having fungus in the information, selling is acceptable, but if it is not, it's almost a scam.
Mark

Ny5y Loc: Mississippi

I used KEH a number of years ago when a friends sigma 70-200 fell in the river and filled with water! Shipped to them half full of dirty water and they cleaned redid all the seals and I used it for about 7 or 8 years with no problem or signs of it ever happening.

lamontcranston

Deleted

lamontcranston

Your statement is correct. However I would delete the word "almost" at the end of your statement.

markngolf Loc: Bridgewater, NJ

Thanks. I was being "kind" because I doubt the advice was really intended.
Mark

Mitzis

Thank you to those who supplied suggestions, comments, and other input regarding my long zoom with a fungus issue. For the time being, I am holding off with any major decision. A cannot afford a current level version although one would have definite improvements over my 15+ year old model. I hesitate putting hundreds of dollars into getting rid of the fungus professionally, not knowing if the fungus or moisture has affected the future of the electronics. I love my Pentax DSLRs but not a lot of long zooms have been made for them, and a full-auto version seldom comes up for resale, and generally runs about $800. For now, I am giving it the ultra-violet sunlight treatment which has helped clear much. Since I use it primarily to photograph an identity birds shot at a distance, my subjects are in the clear center area.

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

I don't want to be mean, but I would trash that lens, its not worth the cost of the repair and you never get a guarantee that its not coming back!