kchill

Good morning.

My brother left me three camera's and various lenses and I was wondering which I should keep. I have a Nikon D700, D7100 and D5100 with assorted lenses. Nikon 24mm F2.8, 28mm F2.8, 70-200 F2.8, 55-200 f4-5.6, 18-55 F3.5-5.6 and 24-70 F2.8 (has mold on interior glass).

Thanks.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

The D7100 and D5100 are both cropped sensor bodies, with the D7100 being the more advanced. Keep the D7100 of this pairing.

The D700 is a full frame camera, dating back to 2008 with a 12MP sensor. The D7100 mentioned earlier is a 24MP sensor. If you had to keep 1 of the three, the D7100 would be the winner of the D700 to D7100 pairing.

Mold will grow and can contaminate other lenses kept near by. Discard this lens and until sold or trashed, don't keep it anywhere near the other equipment. Don't even keep it in the house.

bpulv Loc: Buena Park, CA

The moldy 24-70mm is an expensive lens. Before you discard it, consult with a Nikon repair person because they may be able to disassemble and clean out the mold. If they can, it may be worth the money, but check the value of a used lens to determine your spending limit before you commit.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

But, don't let an inability to make the hard decision cause injury to the other unaffected equipment making this tragedy even worse. Put the moldy lens in the garage or basement and no where near the other equipment.

Ched49 Loc: Pittsburgh, Pa.

If it was me, I'd keep the D7100 and the D700. The older D700 is a full frame camera and is built like a tank. Get rid of the mold.

kchill

Thank you.

maxiu9

The D700 is a classic. Keep it. I'd probably also keep the D7100. I'd throw away the moldy glass and donate the D5100 to a school.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

First off, keep the lens with mold away from any of the other equipment. See if Nikon will repair it, as it is a very good lens. Secondly, I'd definitely keep the D700. I've had mine since Jan. of 2010. It's a very good camera. Between the D7100 and the D5100, I'd keep the more recent. I'm not familiar with crop sensor cameras. Thus, the more recent comment.

The 24~70 is a really good lens and thus looking into getting it repaired is a good idea.
--Bob

Jim Bianco

I would be interested in the lens if you were to sell it, I will take the chance if not to much
Thanks Jim Bianco

olemikey Loc: 6 mile creek, Spacecoast Florida

I take it that your Brother has passed, and sorry to hear of your loss.

For the lenses - Set the moldy lens out in direct sunlight, aperture wide open, on a small plate or something fireproof (lens will be a magnifying glass if sun comes through from the front) for a couple hours. This will kill the mold and stop growth. A UV-C (UV-C is the spectrum that is most effective in killing mold, fungus, bacteria, etc., it is what is used to kill same in water purification, A/C, swimming pools, in-house, etc.) light will do the same, but sunlight is cheap and easy.

Then put the lens in a sealed container with a dessicant pack or two until you decide what to do with it, that way if mold comes back, it won't affect other equipment, it should stay "dead" unless it sit's in a moist/warm environment. Overall, that is a nice set of lenses to work with, keep what makes you happy, makes fine photos. If you do keep the D700, you will want the full frame lenses for it, and they will be very good on the D7100, due to smaller sensor being in the sharpest part of the image through the lens.

On the bodies - sell the D5100, keep the D7100, and before you do anything with the D700 try it out, you may like the results, it has a fine reputation. It is older, but if it still works well it should also make fine photos. If it does not still make beautiful photos, well, you know what to do. It is only 12MP, but the larger pixels and larger sensor might surprise you.

If the cameras/lenses have sentimental value to you, any of them would look fine in a glass display case, or on a shelf. If you want to sell any, try UHH first, then move on to other venues.

Leon S Loc: Minnesota

I'd keep all three. Your brother knew what he was doing when he chose those three. The D700 is professional quality and will last forever. The D7100 is almost as good as the D7200 which is also a classic. I've though of getting a D5xxx series camera for its fold down screen. Sometimes the right shot requires to get low to the ground. The fold out screen can do that for you. Another option in my opinion would be to sell the D7100 and D5100 for a D7500 or D500. Dump the moldy lens quick. Good luck.

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

You got them free why not keep all three? The D7100 (DX)and D700 (FX) are the best two, others have explained why. If one has mold, get rid of it or have it repaired. Don't you attempt to service a moldy lens yourself. You probably have a mix of DX (for APS-C Cameras) and FX (for FF or APS-C Cameras) lenses.

My guess
FX Lenses:
24mm
28mm
70-200mm

DX Lenses:
18-55mm
55-200mm
24-70mm (mold, avoid)

But perhaps you already know that since you more or less placed them in order.

Silverrails

Question:
What kind of storage environment will allow Mold to grow or accumulate on a Camera lens?
I live in a Condominium that has Central air conditioning, which I use quite a lot, until our Michigan Weather basically eliminates Humidity until Summer once again arrives in June, July, August.
I keep my camera & 4 Lens in my Lowepro camera bag when not in use creating Images.
Although I do enjoy my Photography in Florida for about 2 months in the Winter.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Mold is something that happens. Thoroughly drying wet gear and storing in a dry location are the most effective actions. Do not use leather bags / cases for long-term storage. This post gives ideas: https://www.lifewire.com/camera-lens-fungus-493473

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

I recommend you try working with all three cameras for a while to determine which one best matches your specific photographic needs. Which camera others prefer doesn't really matter, as their needs may be different than yours. Ergonomics, available features and button layout are things to take into consideration when making a decision on which camera will serve you best.