Fungus - what can I do ?

Rolf · Expire: 2015-12-26

Hi,

today I visited my dear dealer. Few weeks before I saw a used Nikkor lens (AF Nikkor 2.8/35-70mm D) for a high price in his window. Today I found the same lens in the tinkerer section for a very low price. The salesman told me that they found a little bit fungus in the lens and therefore they reduced the price dramatically.

I don�t use this lens but the price was so good and low that I bought it. There is indeed a little bit fungus in it. I never owned a lens with fungus so I don�t know too much of this problem. Should I give it to a repair service or is there something I can do by myself (but not open the lens). Not sure but I believe that I have read something about UV light or so to reduce the fungus or at least stop the growth.

Many thanks for your assistance.

Wink

Attila · Expire: 2025-11-18

First of all store it right as all of your lenses , without caps to get enough light and humidity should be lower than 60% , ideally around 40%.

A big transparent plastic box with humidity remover tablet (which is sell for to remove humidity for a room ) perfect storage, fungus will stop growing and you don't need to pay cleaning cost. I have 5-6 years experience with this storage under this period fungus did not grow not infected other lenses.

Another solution that most people do run to repair man and clean it, without proper storage fungus will back. Fungus can leave permanent trace path on glass and no way to clean it due acid eat glass. To this trace path need to be an extensive fungus spot and weak glass surface.

kds315* · Expire: 2021-03-09

Make sure you store it away from other, non.infected lenses, as fugus spreads.
This is why ZEISS even won't accept a lens for repair, if there is fungus in it - they sent it back right away.

A cheap lens maybe but also a cheap way to possibly infect others Sad

Attila · Expire: 2025-11-18

Rolf · Expire: 2015-12-26

Many thanks for your tips.

Wink

poilu · Expire: 2019-08-29

dangerous liaisons, I hope we will not have to see the pics of your Leica collection fungused Confused

ChromaticAberration · Joined: 23 Dec 2010 Posts: 819 Location: Portugal

Until recently I owned a very badly fungus damaged lens whose coating was already greenish where the infection was, not cleanable at all.

You know what? It was probably the lens which required the less post processing to get the colors just right, go figure.

People stress too much about fungae infections but of course, if you have the guts to open and clean it, please do, if not for performance increase at least for cosmetic reasons.

Scheimpflug · Expire: 2011-11-18

Rolf, I think in a sense you have already answered your own question:

flashinm · Joined: 03 Apr 2011 Posts: 15

UV light will kill the fungus and reduce it's appearance somewhat. Then proper storage will prevent any regrowth. A simple $10 black light will do the trick. Place the light about an inch away from either element (preferably the side with the most fungus facing the light) and leave it for 5 days or so.