Topic: Any first-hand experience with fogging/fungus?

[gothamtomato]

I have the chance to buy my long dreamt of Hasselblad SWC, but it turns out there is fogging in the lens. Even though the seller will have it cleaned out, I'm wondering - because fungus is a living thing, will it just grow back eventually? Once it has been there, is the lens forever spoiled and something that will need repeated repairs?

Should I just take a pass on this SWC? I'm not sure. I'm now wondering if it is possible that any used equipment might have had fungus that has been cleaned out (and I wouldn't know until some time in the future if it grows back)??

Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks!

Deborah

[Sandeha Lynch]

Fungus can be killed easily, and if the rep man knows what he is doing that should not be a problem.  HOWEVER, the fungus eats the lens coatings and poops on the glass, and that little acid can etch the surface.  Minimal damage might have no impact at all on your shots.  Bad damage is barely worth repairing since camera lenses don't take well to attempts at repolishing.  You'll need to take a flashlight when you inspect the cleaned lens so that you can really see if there's any evidence of damage. 

But you know, even a teensy bit of visible damage at the edges can help you force the price down. 

[LT]

Echo everything Sandeha says. The fungus can leave no trace, or alternatively, can etch the glass irreparably. If this is your dream camera, I'd avoid this one and wait for another to come along.

[Aksel]

Can only say I bought several lenses with this issue dirt cheap and cleaned them out using a product called "plastic prep".
No trace of fungus reappearing, three years since the first ones where cleaned out. If the price reflects the issue, why not? Not all that often the SWC`s are for sale.