Mold on a camera lens is a deal breaker, check before you trade

I traded for a nice 35mm SLR last month at a garage sale in Denver, paid $40 because the guy said it just needed a cleaning. Got it home and popped the rear element off, there was a spiderweb of mold growing right on the inner glass. Tried to clean it with lens solution and a swab, but it had already etched the coating, so now every shot looks hazy in the corners. My guess is it sat in a damp basement for years, that's how this always starts. I've seen three lenses like this in the last two years, so now I carry a tiny flashlight and check every element before I hand over cash. Anybody else get burned by a moldy lens, and is there a way to save the glass or is it always toast?

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drew_patel5711d ago

Man, I used to think any lens could be saved, now I bring a light everywhere too.