dkCambridgeshire Posted July 15, 2011 Share #1 Posted July 15, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) When lens fungus is discussed within these fora various causes and remedies are documented plus the usual fears about possibilities of cross infection. But I have not read any opinions from learned mycologists regarding just how fungus can become established on eg the surface of an inaccessible third lens element within a group of say five elements. How does a fungal spore manage to find its way past other lens elements which have been assembled with such close tolerances that there is no route or gap through which spores can travel? Is it possible that a microscopic spore could have lain dormant on the glass for years - ever since the lens was first assembled - just waiting for the opportunity to 'bear fruit' and disappoint the lens' owner? Are there any professional mycologists within the forum who might be able to shed some light and knowledge on just how the enemy gets established on such an inaccessible surface? And could you also explain in proper scientific terms just what makes glass and / or lens coatings so attractive to fungi ... and the actual species of fungi involved? Best wishes dunk Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted July 15, 2011 Posted July 15, 2011 Hi dkCambridgeshire, Take a look here Lens fungus ... Professional mycologists' opinions. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
SJP Posted July 15, 2011 Share #2 Posted July 15, 2011 see here (& no I am not a mycoliogist): Lens Fungus time to smoke some mushrooms;) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bocaburger Posted July 15, 2011 Share #3 Posted July 15, 2011 How does a fungal spore manage to find its way past other lens elements which have been assembled with such close tolerances that there is no route or gap through which spores can travel? Not a mycologist but then I'm not sure how many mycologists are familiar with lens construction, which I am. Lens groups, and single lens elements are obviously fit such that they can't move, but far from being so tight that a microscopic spore can't get past. For one thing there's a built-in tolerance for the unequal thermal expansion of brass or aluminum, and glass, so that the latter doesn't crack with temperature changes over a fairly wide range. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
colonel Posted July 15, 2011 Share #4 Posted July 15, 2011 Far from any expert on fungus, but I understand they grow where moisture is present (the linked article above mentions a correlation to humidity where the lens is stored). My own small and probably pathetic approach, is to always keep a large silica sachet in my camera storage and with each lens in its case or bag. In any case these sachets are very cheap. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick in CO Posted July 15, 2011 Share #5 Posted July 15, 2011 I had suspicion of fungus (no discernable hyphae but perhaps etching left from a departed fungus?) between the elements of a Leica 20cm Telyt. This was the reply from a well-respected Leica lens technician: ' This sounds like a crystal cement separation bubble as #1/#2 elements are cemented together. Fungus cannot grow in a cemented environment.' A. Sometimes it may look like fungus, but may not be so. B. Can fungus grow in a balsam-cemented environment? I might speculate that with extreme heat & humidity the space between the elements might be conducive to a fungal spore germinating, most likely present due to contamination of the balsam cement or lens surface or workspace with fungal spores during assembly. I am not a "professional mycologist", but endured medical mycology and occasionally observe fungal contamination of my in vitro cell cultures, so I can recognize the culprit under a microscope. Even if the fungus is still present (identifiable hyphae) or is gone (etching remnants) I think its a moot point. It will take dis-assembly and cleaning by a professional. Prevention is the best cure; place a dessicant pouch in your storage cabinet (avoid humidity) and use the lens (expose it to sunlight). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Washington Posted July 16, 2011 Share #6 Posted July 16, 2011 I read an interesting piece about cleaning fungus…. that hasn’t eaten the glass yet…. with Pond’s Cold Cream…. in fact this method has popped up a few time in my internet travels. Sounds good because everyone was very happy with the results. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Studio58 Posted July 21, 2011 Share #7 Posted July 21, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) Far from any expert on fungus, but I understand they grow where moisture is present (the linked article above mentions a correlation to humidity where the lens is stored). My own small and probably pathetic approach, is to always keep a large silica sachet in my camera storage and with each lens in its case or bag. In any case these sachets are very cheap. Providing those cameras are stored in an airtight case that will work. Otherwise, the gel will just absorb the moisture in the air in become useless very quickly. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dkCambridgeshire Posted July 21, 2011 Author Share #8 Posted July 21, 2011 I read an interesting piece about cleaning fungus…. that hasn’t eaten the glass yet….with Pond’s Cold Cream…. in fact this method has popped up a few time in my internet travels. Sounds good because everyone was very happy with the results. I cant see what use Ponds Cream or any other cream will be to a lens suffering from fungus as it will leave a residue of grease which has to be removed with eg iso propyl alcohol and you could never be sure of removing all traces of it. I have read about the Ponds Cream cure but suspect it might something of a hoax? However, if you wish to try it ... POND'S ... good luck to you! If you have the skills to dismantle the lens modules sufficiently to access the fungus then maybe it would best to use something a bit more scientific than face cream to remove the fungus. dunk Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
doubice Posted July 21, 2011 Share #9 Posted July 21, 2011 I read an interesting piece about cleaning fungus…. that hasn’t eaten the glass yet….with Pond’s Cold Cream…. in fact this method has popped up a few time in my internet travels. Sounds good because everyone was very happy with the results. Another theory is using vinegar to clean the element surface attacked by fungus. Have done it myself and can confirm that it works. Best, Jan Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mmradman Posted July 21, 2011 Share #10 Posted July 21, 2011 I keep cup of thyme in my camera cupboard. Cupboard smell nice and besides it is apparently anti fungal. Also keep silica gel but this may be an overkill as it is mostly dry. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted July 25, 2011 Share #11 Posted July 25, 2011 Another theory is using vinegar to clean the element surface attacked by fungus. Have done it myself and can confirm that it works. Best, Jan DON'T !!! The way to remove coating from lenses is : Vinegar! I'm not surprised it removed the fungus too, though Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted July 25, 2011 Share #12 Posted July 25, 2011 Another theory is using vinegar to clean the element surface attacked by fungus. Have done it myself and can confirm that it works. Best, Jan DON'T !!! The way to remove coating from lenses is : Vinegar! I'm not surprised it removed the fungus too, though Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Henry Posted July 25, 2011 Share #13 Posted July 25, 2011 Jaap is right for vinegar . For the fungus , please look at this thread : http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/customer-forum/192892-fungus-not-need-advise.html fungi need first a support to grow : the lens glass is a good support. secondly it needs humidity.If conditions are favorable, the fungus can grow rapidly UV rays can affect, antifungal agents are efficient in the treatment. Best Henry Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Henry Posted July 25, 2011 Share #14 Posted July 25, 2011 Jaap is right for vinegar . For the fungus , please look at this thread : http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/customer-forum/192892-fungus-not-need-advise.html fungi need first a support to grow : the lens glass is a good support. secondly it needs humidity.If conditions are favorable, the fungus can grow rapidly UV rays can affect, antifungal agents are efficient in the treatment. Best Henry Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mantice Posted July 25, 2011 Share #15 Posted July 25, 2011 I live in Taiwan as much as in US, south of Japan and have the tropical boundary line across the island. No SLR camera hobbyist/professional (even paint/antique collectors) dare not having a wall-plugged, humidity controlled power operating drying chamber that cost merely 80$ for a small one. Kinna like a glass door refrigerator and it is sold in EVERY single camera store, up to the extreme rural area. Fungus need humidity to grow so controlling humidity is the best option. I don't know about cleaning fungus afterwards because most camera repairer have their favorite cleaning solution. For seriously etched glass their solution is uniform - discard it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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