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Mold in cameras.
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Sep 12, 2019 17:25:06   #
trapper1 Loc: Southside Virginia
 
I was surprised to see references to mold in cameras as it never occurred to me that this might happen. What sort of conditions lead to this mold? Does it attack both cameras and lens? What can be done to prevent this from happening? How is it removed? Appreciate any comments on the subject.

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Sep 12, 2019 18:11:24   #
juan_uy Loc: Uruguay
 
I have no experience, but I usually read about it on lenses. I understand that if stored in humid areas they can develop mold.
Hope someone with further knowledge and/or experience will provide more valuable info :)

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Sep 12, 2019 19:17:33   #
Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States
 
Lenses and cameras "breath" with changes in temperature and barometric pressure.
It's best to keep them in a relatively dry area so when they breath, they suck in dry air, not humid air.

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Sep 12, 2019 19:37:48   #
Retired CPO Loc: Travel full time in an RV
 
Take a camera with you to the Philippines. Keep it in an un airconditioned hut for a couple years. You will know all about mold in a camera and lenses and boots and clothes and feet and photos etc.

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Sep 12, 2019 23:43:57   #
Stardust Loc: Central Illinois
 
Although not with cameras prior to retirement I dealt in mold issues often. For mold to grow it needs a "food" source, moisture, non-sunlight and calm air. So I assume cameras/lens sitting in non-lit areas (camera bag) that may have been subject to some contaminates in the air or on the hands just needs some humidity to grow.

Obviously to avoid do the opposite - wipe equipment off regularly, keep in dry areas, etc. If on surface, vinegar, alcohol, or bleach will kill. If inside lens, it is not totally sealed and I don't have an answer.

BTW, why on a house you seldom see mold on vinyl siding on west side but often on north direction.

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Sep 13, 2019 00:41:12   #
Grahame Loc: Fiji
 
trapper1 wrote:
I was surprised to see references to mold in cameras as it never occurred to me that this might happen. What sort of conditions lead to this mold? Does it attack both cameras and lens? What can be done to prevent this from happening? How is it removed? Appreciate any comments on the subject.


Oh yes it happens in cameras as well as lenses

Mold fungus spores can get inside whilst changing or zooming a lens. It will feed off oils, grease and contaminants on surfaces inside.

To prevent it do not use the camera in any conditions where fungus spores are in the air which for many of us would be totally impossible. What you can do is store your camera in conditions that inhibit its growth which will be with a humidity below 50%. (This figure varies depending upon what you read). I use a dehumidifier cabinet maintained at 40% RH because I live in a house and area with a very high RH almost all year round.

From what I have investigated you can not get rid of it although I have stripped old lenses to clean off the worst. What I have found strange is that I have only ever got mold in my Nikon Lenses and not the Sigma or Tamrons I have that are of similar age and use?

My D300, but it still works


(Download)

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Sep 13, 2019 00:58:36   #
newtoyou Loc: Eastport
 
trapper1 wrote:
I was surprised to see references to mold in cameras as it never occurred to me that this might happen. What sort of conditions lead to this mold? Does it attack both cameras and lens? What can be done to prevent this from happening? How is it removed? Appreciate any comments on the subject.


"Mold"is the mycelium of a mushroom. It starts with spores. These are very small, most are ten microns or so long.
If on lens it looks like spider web. In camera you may not see it.
Two spores are needed for reproduction, but if only one, it just keeps growing in length.
Spores need moisture to germanate.
As was stated, cameras breath. It 'inhales' the spores. So the trick is to keep the camera dry. Any way you can. Obviously keep the camera clean and dry. Mine are in a cabinet and have a bit of air flow.
Be careful with quick temperature change in either direction.
Mushroom mycelium secretes a powerful acid. It can and does break down stone. It is hygroscopic, so it attracts moisture from the air.
Once on the glass, it eats the coating. As it grows stronger it will etch the glass.
In the camera they eat oil, rubber and other substances. It attracts moisture and corrodes electronics.
I use mine often. Run a roll of film through an SLR .
I use old film and keep it for that purpose only. Never developed.
RetiredCPO speaks of the Philippines as humid. I was on Guam. Heaters in lockers for shoes. Circulating fans to keep uniforms dry or mildew will turn them to rags in a few days.
And why is it on the north side of a house?
South and east and west too much sun. On the north side? Less to no sun, so damper.
And I would NOT put any liquid on a camera. Bleach and vinegar fume and would enter camera and condense.
You can sometimes see where the mold is in a lens by looking thru it and tilting it. The mold will appear to move. Parallax.
And goodnight, all.
Bill

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Sep 13, 2019 01:25:48   #
Stardust Loc: Central Illinois
 
newtoyou wrote:
...And I would NOT put any liquid on a camera. Bleach and vinegar fume and would enter camera and condense...
Although I mentioned wiping off I probably wasn't clear that when using alcohol or diluted bleach swab should immediately be followed by wiping dry. Been doing that for 50+ yrs with no side effects to equipment, and no mold, although did have a super small spider get in a SLR Pentax lens long time ago.

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Sep 13, 2019 01:57:12   #
newtoyou Loc: Eastport
 
Stardust wrote:
Although I mentioned wiping off I probably wasn't clear that when using alcohol or diluted bleach swab should immediately be followed by wiping dry. Been doing that for 50+ yrs with no side effects to equipment, and no mold, although did have a super small spider get in a SLR Pentax lens long time ago.


An exception to the rule. I have never personally used solvents or corrosives on a camera.
I have read and heard second hand of the problems caused.
And sir, not in the least would I suggest you should change.
Bill

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Sep 13, 2019 06:10:42   #
billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
 
trapper1 wrote:
I was surprised to see references to mold in cameras as it never occurred to me that this might happen. What sort of conditions lead to this mold? Does it attack both cameras and lens? What can be done to prevent this from happening? How is it removed? Appreciate any comments on the subject.


Store your equipment in a dry cabinet.

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Sep 13, 2019 06:30:15   #
mas24 Loc: Southern CA
 
Humidity is no friend to cameras and lenses. Fungus will ruin a lens. The fungus grows. I've heard of legacy manual lenses being saved from fungus growing, and cleaned by taking the lens apart with a special screwdriver kit. You have to know what you are doing though, to do that successfully. Mold can be removed from houses. However, some mold has been so bad in houses, that the house had to be torn down. I have never heard of mold in cameras. But, a cause could be condensation inside the camera, possibly caused by constant rain, and unknowing. And the condensation increased where it was stored. In Southern California and Western Arizona, temperatures above 100 degrees, will not have the humidity, as let's say Florida, that will have temperatures less than 100 degrees. Florida in the summertime has killer humidity. And, I was in Pensacola and Jacksonville. Not Miami.

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Sep 13, 2019 07:14:47   #
jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY
 
juan_uy wrote:
I have no experience, but I usually read about it on lenses. I understand that if stored in humid areas they can develop mold.
Hope someone with further knowledge and/or experience will provide more valuable info :)


Right. Darkness and humidity are perfect conditions for mold. Alcohol, Clorox, and vinegar on a Q-Tip would get rid of it. Storing the camera with silica packs should help prevent mold from forming.

Mostly and fungus on the lens -
https://www.lifewire.com/camera-lens-fungus-493473
http://www.beyondphototips.com/2008/10/19/humidity-fungus-and-cameras-problems-solutions

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Sep 13, 2019 07:21:50   #
SteveR Loc: Michigan
 
Fungus in lenses is a bigger problem. Caused by same conditions as mold in a camera....moist conditions.

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Sep 13, 2019 09:28:58   #
ajcotterell
 
Here's a preventative measure for mold on / in cameras and lenses: When I was a USMC photographer in Vietnam in 1965, we prevented mold on camera equipment by using a "Hot Locker." We took a large ammo crate with metal hinges, made sure the seams were reasonably tight, and installed a 40-watt electric bulb and socket in the crate. We stood the crate in a corner of our photo lab tent, plugged it in, and when the generator was running, the 40-watt bulb kept the air dry in the "locker" dry enough to keep mold at bay. The camera gear was warm, but workable. It worked; when I returned to the States, my old 1961 Nikon F was mold-free, as was the equipment of the other photographers in our unit.

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Sep 13, 2019 09:48:43   #
Canisdirus
 
I live in a high humidity region ..... and have lost a few binoculars to mold over the years.
If it is a concern for you ....

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1348545-REG/ruggard_edc_120l_electronic_dry_cabinet_120l.html

They work, and work well. Buy bigger than you need.

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