Shoeless_Photographer Loc: Lexington

Thought I'd try the Fotodiox FD to EOS adapter so I could see how my old lenses from my Canon AE-1 work on my T3. The adapter actually does a decent job even if I do lose a bit of light.

Problem is, it turns out one of my 50mm FD lenses has a fog around the inside of the front element. It doesn't cover the entire surface, but it's creeping in from the edges. There's still a surface area about the size of a dime that's not fogged over, but it definitely is noticeable when looking through the viewfinder, and also in the pictures.

What would cause that? Is that a form of fungus? I do have a couple of spots of fungus on an old telephoto lens, but I'm not sure what this fog would be on the 50mm lenses. Any luck with opening up the lens and cleaning it off? I've got another 50mm, so I'll probably just use that one. There's definitely a good couple of stops less light from the fogged one compared to the clean one.

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OddJobber Loc: Portland, OR

You have some SERIOUS fungus going on there!

Kuzano

You DO NOT want to get lenses with fungus in them near your good lenses. Fungus is a living entity that feeds on the coatings on lens glass, and can etch the glass ultimately. It can be transferred from one lens to another.

I can't tell if the lens you pictured is fungus, but you say you have another lens that is fungus. One variant of lens fungus has a pretty clear spider web like pattern to it.

I'd get rid of it if fungus prevails.

I buy and sell film camera's dating back to the 30's and have thrown away fungus affected lenses. Frankly, while some say fungus can be cleaned, and I have done so (50% ammonia, 50%water mixture) getting to the affected surfaces and then re-assembling the lens without a collimation bench is not advisable. The only company I know that do that properly, and they also re-cement lenses, charges $100 per lens surface.

If fungus has etched into the glass surface, repair is not likely.

If you want fungus to travel to your current day lenses, throw one in the bag with your good lenses for a couple of years, and don't use any dessicant bags in the bag. :thumbdown:

Damp conditions are necessary for fungus to thrive, and leather camera bags work best to encourage fungus growth.

bull drink water Loc: pontiac mi.

toss it and get another one. they are cheap.

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

Fungus does not eat coatings. It eats the cement used to secure the elements in their mounts. this is why you see it at the edges and the center is still pretty clear. What causes the etching is the acidic waste that is left behind after the fungus digests the cement, and that is why you do not want a lens that has fungus. The coatings are really hard, but cannot resist the erosion caused by these acids.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

At KEH they have a few 50 FD f/1.8 for less than $50 and f/1.4 for $65

jeryh Loc: Oxfordshire UK

you have severe case of advanced fungus, i'm afraid- bin job

mcveed Loc: Kelowna, British Columbia (between trips)

I had fungus in a 35-70 2.8D removed by Nikon some years ago. It cost $200. It was worth it to salvage a fairly valuable lens. From the look of your lens I would say it is beyond redemption. It is magnitudes worse than mine was. Junk it and buy a new one.

Shoeless_Photographer Loc: Lexington

Thanks for all the replies! One thing I forgot to mention was that the last place I lived would get damp in the warmer weather as I didn't have much for a/c. Was a lousy place to live, and that's probably where it all started...that and the leather camera bag those lenses lived in.

So, I think I'll tear open that 50mm FDn lens some day when I'm in the mood just for the fun of it. One thing I really noticed at first was that the foggy lens was 2-3 stops darker than the other 50mm lens. Big clue!

Thanks to CHG_CANON for the tip about KEH. Might have to get that f/1.4 for $65! Still have a good 50mm FD lens, so I'll use that along with my 35mm which seems to be in good shape.

As for the telephoto, it does have a bit of spidering inside the lens. Should shop for a replacement for that, too.

George II Loc: Fayetteville, Georgia

I remember reading someplace, could have been here, that placing the lens in direct sunlight will destroy the fungus, I also remember that the leans barrel should be insulated to reduce the heat. They also claimed that the lens coating is not affected. We are fortunate to have a member here, a Mr. Riggins, he is well respected and has a lens repair shop in Colorado. Yes, as mentioned here, FD lenses are cheap. because some members feel they are above adapting retro lenses to DSLRs.

Good luck and for Gods sake do not throw it away.

The "G"

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

Do you mean Lexington, Kentucky? Humidity and optics don't mix well. When even window shopping for camera equipment on eBay I look to see where the camera and lenses have been residing. Best bets, look for used equipment from CA, NV, AZ, NM, UT, OK, west TX. Avoid near perma-frost or bayou locales.

Solution, find a clean AE-1 / A-1 vintage Canon lenses on eBay. They should be dirt cheap.

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

See, I guessed it, "damp". Where were you before? Worse than Lexington? Don't say Atlanta or New Orleans. There film would grow mushrooms!

Shoeless_Photographer Loc: Lexington

Well, not much better or worse, really. Was in Greenfield, Indiana, about three hours north of Lexington, KY, where I reside now. Pretty much the same humidity and heat. I suspect the problem was the camera bag and the funky old house I lived in. Little insulation left in the walls, so very chilly in the winter, and very muggy and warm in the summer with only a window air conditioner in the bedroom (where I kept my camera equipment). I have central air now, so it's pretty comfortable inside in the summer.

Old Timer Loc: Greenfield, In.

I also live in Greenfield. If you like give me a pm and we will have coffee some day and maybe go on a shoot.

Shoeless_Photographer Loc: Lexington

'Twould be great, but I *was* living there. I'm in Lexington now.