fungus in lens
Feb 15, 2019 09:54:08 #
Dikdik
Loc: Winnipeg, Canada
Idaho wrote:
That reminds me of my first adjustable camera I bought in Viet Nam over 50 years ago.
I still have my first 35... purchased 50 years ago... an old Lordox with a Leidolf Wetzler lens. Paid $25 for it. You had to manually 'set' the shutter. No electronics...
Dik
Feb 15, 2019 10:09:15 #
Feb 15, 2019 10:22:32 #
Dikdik wrote:
Does the UV flashlight kill the fungi? UV is often used for water treatment. Or, does the fungi fluoresce under UV radiation to 'make it visible'?
Curious mimes want to know.
Dik
Curious mimes want to know.
Dik
I have no experience with UV flashlights....but there are quality-grade UV lamps/fixtures specifically designed to kill bacteria, mold, mildew, etc. UV emitters come in several bandwidths. UV-A, UV-B, UV-C ....so if you decide to pursue this route, do your research on the recommended wavelength for your purpose. Also, UV light can damage your eyes if not careful. Be careful
Feb 15, 2019 10:29:19 #
Dikdik
Loc: Winnipeg, Canada
Largobob wrote:
Also, UV light can damage your eyes if not careful. Be careful
Thanks for the 'heads up'. The purpose of UV is to kill fungi and not to identify its presence.
Dik
Feb 15, 2019 11:47:18 #
olemikey
Loc: 6 mile creek, Spacecoast Florida
Dikdik wrote:
Does the UV flashlight kill the fungi? UV is often used for water treatment. Or, does the fungi fluoresce under UV radiation to 'make it visible'?
Curious mimes want to know.
Dik
Curious mimes want to know.
Dik
Both. UV is what kills it in the sunlight, and it also works for water treatment and A/C, dark closets, etc.. Curious Mimes made me laugh !!! Don't look directly at the UV light, can damage just like looking at the sun. You can see it with regular flashlight, but it really stands out with UV.
Feb 15, 2019 11:58:03 #
olemikey
Loc: 6 mile creek, Spacecoast Florida
UV-C is supposed to be best - shortwave ultraviolet light in the range of 280 to 100 nm can kill mold and prevent or severely retard its growth. And yes, there are UV-C flashlights. They also show blood and urine spots, on floors, carpets, walls etc.
Feb 15, 2019 12:30:13 #
mas24
Loc: Southern CA
I actually saw a video, about two years ago, where a skilled individual, with a special screwdriver tool kit. Who actually dismantled a lens, and cleaned the lens glass and inner cavity, of fungus, with some type of cleaning solution. Later, he put the lens back together again. Presto, no fungus, and a cleaned lens. I could never do that.
Feb 15, 2019 14:10:55 #
Dikdik
Loc: Winnipeg, Canada
olemikey wrote:
Both. UV is what kills it in the sunlight, and it ... (show quote)
Thanks... was unaware of UVC. UVA and UVB are common for fluorescence in geology. UVB is mostly filtered out by the ozone layer.
'Curious mimes...' goes back to my Fidonet days... when I was using 35mm. I was really into photography back then... I spent so much time in a darkroom, I almost developed echolocation.
Dik
Feb 15, 2019 15:24:19 #
Lennyj wrote:
Hi all just wondering is there any way to keep lenses fungus free? I have been looking for a micro lens for my nikon d3500. A lot of the used lenses state lens fungus. Can it be cleaned or just keep looking? Thanks
Lenny
Lenny
Don't consider lenses with fungus. Otherwise keep looking even at a much higher price (makes sense why fungusy ones are cheap). Buy used from CA, NV, AZ, NM, UT, CO and other dryer places.
Feb 15, 2019 15:53:41 #
I live in a hot and humid place.
I store my lenses and cameras in a plastic Dollard Store boxes. I insert menstrual pads on the sides and bottom of the box. These pads absorb the moisture. I also give my lenses some sunlight. Of course, few males want to put these into the photo bag with these in the bag. Your wife or girlfriend might thank you for it.: ) I do not do that. I just store them that way. Also makes for a bit of padding. No pun intended.
I store my lenses and cameras in a plastic Dollard Store boxes. I insert menstrual pads on the sides and bottom of the box. These pads absorb the moisture. I also give my lenses some sunlight. Of course, few males want to put these into the photo bag with these in the bag. Your wife or girlfriend might thank you for it.: ) I do not do that. I just store them that way. Also makes for a bit of padding. No pun intended.
Feb 15, 2019 16:23:57 #
CHG_CANON wrote:
Keep looking. To protect your own equipment, don't live / store your equipment in a humid environment and never in a leather bag / case for extended periods. Airtight bags with moisture-absorbing silica gel packs can help if you can't move north.
How complicated is it to disassemble a lens? I am sure that varies, but I once had a Spiratone telephoto with mucho fungi inside, which I unscrewed and soaked the 2 lenses in Hydrogen Peroxide overnight, which got rid of most of it, and some elbow grease the rest of it.
Feb 15, 2019 16:26:23 #
CHG_CANON wrote:
Keep looking. To protect your own equipment, don't live / store your equipment in a humid environment and never in a leather bag / case for extended periods. Airtight bags with moisture-absorbing silica gel packs can help if you can't move north.
BTW, are the things you get in your RX bottles silica gel? Sometimes in little bags, sometimes in little plastic containers?
Feb 15, 2019 17:04:16 #
Fungus on and in optical systems begins with being in a dark, high humidity and a warm environment. Any fungus that starts growing on glass surfaces can be cleaned but it cannot be guaranteed that it will not come back. If left growing on glass surfaces, the fungus will "eat" on coatings and will eventually permanently etch the glass surface. Lenses with fungus can "infect" other lenses via the environment they are kept. Keeping lenses and bodies stored in low humidity storage containers will lower your chances of ever having a fungus issue. I'd never recommend buying a lens with fungus and even if it's been thoroughly cleaned. It is safest to STAY CLEAR at any price!
Feb 15, 2019 17:26:31 #
Dikdik
Loc: Winnipeg, Canada
graybeard wrote:
BTW, are the things you get in your RX bottles silica gel? Sometimes in little bags, sometimes in little plastic containers?
You can buy silica gel at some craft stores or you may be able to scrounge some from window manufacturers.
Dik
Feb 15, 2019 17:37:44 #
Fungus can sometimes start over the winter months during times when one does not get out often to use different lenses. It is especially important to keep your lenses stored in a place that is not humid and has good air circulation. It does not hurt to inspect them once in a while to check their condition. Putting dates on a calendar to check can help. If you notice in camera stores they do not generally keep used lenses in closed containers but out in the open where there is plenty of air circulation and light---as well as relatively low humidity.
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