TP: How to identify fungus...?
Printed From: Dyxum.com
Category: Dyxum Community
Forum Name: Knowledge Base
Forum Description: Improving photo techniques & getting more from Dyxum
URL: https://www.dyxum.com/dforum/forum_posts.asp?TID=17279
Printed Date: 27 April 2025 at 04:03
Topic: TP: How to identify fungus...?
Posted By: afidalgo
Subject: TP: How to identify fungus...?
Date Posted: 21 June 2007 at 18:40
Before anything, let me say that i did search the site for information on this. I am aware of the general aspect of full grown fungus on a lens as i saw it once. However, i am beginning to have doubts if the dust on the inside of my beercan is dust or not. It looks like dust...it is a lot of dust, but on my spring cleaning last week i looked harder and under better light and the "dust" seems "suspect". Some of it seems to be in orderly lines... Can anybody direct me to pictures of fungus on lenses? Or can you tell me the best way to take a picture of the inner element of a beercan with a 18-70 or 50/1,7 so i can post here. All pictures i took won't show it... ------------- Sony A100, Sony 18-70 (kit), Minolta 70-210 f/3.5-4.5 Minolta 70-210 f/4 (in repair?), Minolta 50 f/1.7, 2Gb CF 133x, Lowepro Bag |
Replies:
Posted By: afidalgo
Date Posted: 21 June 2007 at 19:30
|
Ok...the best i couldo do:
http://imageshack.us">  [/IMG]
Is it fungus? Or just an effect of the flash (you can always have hope...)? ------------- Sony A100, Sony 18-70 (kit), Minolta 70-210 f/3.5-4.5 Minolta 70-210 f/4 (in repair?), Minolta 50 f/1.7, 2Gb CF 133x, Lowepro Bag |
Posted By: nigelbrooks
Date Posted: 21 June 2007 at 23:08
|
Andre
It's difficult to tell, but the thread-like nature of the problem could indicate fungus. As a precaution before you consider getting it cleaned, 'quarantine' your beercan from your camera and other lenses. If it's fungus it has a nasty habit of spreading. Sadly, I don't know the camera market in Portugal else I would suggest a company who could inspect your lens. Perhaps the old KM centre in Bremen, Germany may be able to help. ------------- I've been away! |
Posted By: afidalgo
Date Posted: 22 June 2007 at 01:20
|
Ok...
A better "zoomed" view . . . I thought that fungus would be black...can it be whitish? http://imageshack.us">  [/IMG]
I guess i am only delaying the inevitable...tomorrow i will try to find a shop that can confirm the diagnosis... :( ------------- Sony A100, Sony 18-70 (kit), Minolta 70-210 f/3.5-4.5 Minolta 70-210 f/4 (in repair?), Minolta 50 f/1.7, 2Gb CF 133x, Lowepro Bag |
Posted By: stiuskr
Date Posted: 22 June 2007 at 04:19
I did a Google image search and found this linked to the photo.net forums.
 ------------- Rob Suits Jr. a99M2 a99 a77 a700 KM7D|Min24/2.8 Min35/2 So50/1.4 So50/2.8 Min85/1.4G Tam90/2.8 Tam180/3.5|Tam17-50 CZ24-70G2 KM28-75D So70-200G1 So70-300G So70-400G1| SonyF60 AD200R2 |
Posted By: AlexKarasev
Date Posted: 22 June 2007 at 06:03
Sorry, this absolutely looks like fungus. I've bought two lenses on ebay with fungus (correctly advertised as such) for cheap and took them apart. this is how fungus looks.
|
afidalgo wrote:Posted By: afidalgo
Date Posted: 22 June 2007 at 09:30
You took them apart for parts or did you actually repair them? ------------- Sony A100, Sony 18-70 (kit), Minolta 70-210 f/3.5-4.5 Minolta 70-210 f/4 (in repair?), Minolta 50 f/1.7, 2Gb CF 133x, Lowepro Bag |
Posted By: Bob J
Date Posted: 22 June 2007 at 09:53
|
I'd say fungus if it is on the outside of an element, or separation of elements if it appears to be between two cemented elements - you won't know until you have had the thing into as many bits as you can, so treat as fungus for the time being.
Bob ------------- RBJ ~ http://tinyurl.com/h7uhozk - Moderation on Dyxum |
Posted By: CKsam2
Date Posted: 22 June 2007 at 15:07
|
As said above, this is almost definitely fungus. If it's just on the rear of the front group, you may be able to clean it yourself by following Pete Ganzel's repair guide starting http://www.pbase.com/pganzel/image/38780298 - here . Otherwise, get someone else to clean it for you.
Best of luck. ------------- Part of the Sheffield Minolta minority. |
Posted By: lauge
Date Posted: 22 June 2007 at 15:36
|
I cleaned up a beercan with Hama lens cleaning kit and Pete Ganzel's repair guide. For me this was a fairly easy operation that took me about 1 hour and the result were obvious. It wasn't as much as in your case but the patterns were the same so I guess it's the same kind of fungus that will be easy to remove without traces. I recommend buying handling gloves to avoid leaving any traces on the inside of the lens. ------------- Sony NEX-7 | Sony A55 | Dynax 5D | Dynax 7 | 7000AF | lots of Minolta and MF lenses |
Posted By: afidalgo
Date Posted: 22 June 2007 at 17:47
|
Ok...UPDATE.
I went to a profissional. Is is officially fungus, not a serious case and i should have the lens back in a little more than a week (here i prefer to say "as long as it takes to be fine" as there is a national tendency to rush things...). It should be around 30EUR...i don't know if this is too much or not, but it is way less than a new lens... The technician claimed that, if nothing unusual appears inside, they should be able to clean all of it and the lens will be completly operational... UUUUUffffff...that is a weight of my shoulders...or at least it will be in a couple weeks. Thanks everybody for the inputs...will update when the lens gets back... ------------- Sony A100, Sony 18-70 (kit), Minolta 70-210 f/3.5-4.5 Minolta 70-210 f/4 (in repair?), Minolta 50 f/1.7, 2Gb CF 133x, Lowepro Bag |
Posted By: DaveK
Date Posted: 22 June 2007 at 18:29
|
30 Euro? Doesn't sound as much!
Good luck! dave ------------- Best regards, Dave A7r & A7r3 Let's make a colorful world! http://dave-kloren.smugmug.com/ - Gallery |
Posted By: afidalgo
Date Posted: 06 July 2007 at 18:51
|
Update...they couldn't clean the lens fully. They claimed that the interior element was inacessible...(the potuguese word was "cravado" which i don't know how to translate but i think means that it cannot be removed from the body).
I then went to another place, told the story, and they said that access is difficult but possible. The owner claimed to have good knowledge of minolta lenses due to past experience. The bad news...they will charge 50 EUR due to the extra amout of work required...they said that the lens elements will be dipped in a special liquid, subjected to ultra-sounds and them reassembled... I am hoping all this is true and efficient...next time i will only buy a lens from a trustworthy source...it is cheaper on the long run. As a side note...they told me to subject the rest of my lenses to sunrays for 30min a day for at least a week...so that it kills any evetual contamination. AND the same for the bag (without the 30 min restriction). ------------- Sony A100, Sony 18-70 (kit), Minolta 70-210 f/3.5-4.5 Minolta 70-210 f/4 (in repair?), Minolta 50 f/1.7, 2Gb CF 133x, Lowepro Bag |
Posted By: royd63uk
Date Posted: 08 July 2007 at 18:46
|
Hi
I am no expert in lens cleaning and definately not fungus.But i recall reading somewhere that "microwaving" them will stop the fungus spreading if noticed soon enough,but wont remove what is there. Roy |
Posted By: keesey
Date Posted: 08 July 2007 at 19:01
You would need to fully disassemble the lens to do this as microwaving metal objects is not a good idea. I think the UV light from the sun would be the easiest method. Did they give a reason why only 30 mins? ------------- A100 | Minolta 28-85/3.5-4.5 | Minolta 50/1.7 | Minolta 70-210/4 | Minolta 75-300/4.5-5.6 | Sigma 170-500 APO | Sony 18-70/3.5-5.6 | Teleplus MC4 |
Posted By: afidalgo
Date Posted: 09 July 2007 at 09:46
Yes. So that the lens doesn't overheat. It can damage the lens (as leaving one a couple of hours on the sun probably would). Note that they recommended this for the lens that show NO fungus as a precaution. The one with visible fungus must get the full treatment...disassembling, cleaning, ultra-sounds, reasembling... ------------- Sony A100, Sony 18-70 (kit), Minolta 70-210 f/3.5-4.5 Minolta 70-210 f/4 (in repair?), Minolta 50 f/1.7, 2Gb CF 133x, Lowepro Bag |
Posted By: cooloregon
Date Posted: 31 March 2009 at 08:24
|
Just a thought but how about a sun tanning booth. ------------- Sony A99ll, Tamron 24-70mm f2.8, Sony 50mm f1.4, Minolta 24mm f2.8 |
Posted By: nigelbrooks
Date Posted: 01 April 2009 at 09:38
|
Welcome to Dyxum Steve.
Brilliant idea! Especially those which have the 'hi-intensity' pods. Remember though that this will affect only the visible fungal spores and not those 'tucked away' in helicoids etc. ------------- I've been away! |
Posted By: fophotofile
Date Posted: 02 April 2009 at 21:53
|
No Biggie,
But one should consider that the fungus just loves the glue between doublets, and just about every lens has a doublet, so thinking I can clean this, is often those "Famous Last Words".. Fear the Fungus been there, done that.. regards fo |
Posted By: KoprivaMedia
Date Posted: 06 June 2009 at 09:12
|
Not that I've had any problems, but how easy is disassembly of more modern models? I ask out of curiosity, but in theory could you do the same thing with a lens made in the last few years? ------------- http://kopmed.com/ - KoprivaMedia |
Posted By: waleskeg
Date Posted: 06 June 2009 at 13:33
|
This was posted yesterday:
http://www.dyxum.com/dforum/accidental-fungus-irradicator_topic47545_post516544.html?KW=#516544 - http://www.dyxum.com/dforum/accidental-fungus-irradicator_topic47545_post516544.html?KW=#516544 ------------- http://www.flickr.com/photos/kenwales - http://www.flickr.com/photos/kenwales |
Posted By: conory
Date Posted: 20 July 2009 at 22:39
|
So leaving my lenses out everyday for about 30 mins everyday, will help reduce fungus ??
I think ill start doing this, my lenses are always left in their cases with UV filter and both caps on, is there anything wrong with this, fungus wise ?? |
Posted By: youpii
Date Posted: 18 November 2010 at 12:47
I have "something" in the Minolta 16/2.8 that I just bought
Not sure if this is a small fungus or a thick dust. What do you think? ------------- http://flickr.com/ephankim/" rel="nofollow - http://flickr.com/ephankim/ |
Posted By: nigelbrooks
Date Posted: 18 November 2010 at 13:02
|
Strange to see one isolated 'fluffy' bit like that. It might just be 'big dust' and well worth a clean.
If you just purchased it, I would have a word with the seller. ------------- I've been away! |
Posted By: youpii
Date Posted: 18 November 2010 at 13:34
|
I bought it online. The seller says it's "just a big dust". I not sure if I should return the lens. ------------- http://flickr.com/ephankim/" rel="nofollow - http://flickr.com/ephankim/ |
Posted By: horizon
Date Posted: 18 November 2010 at 13:45
|
A number of years ago my old SLR 35mm film camera equipment got fungus in the lenses and body. I did attempt to try and resolve the fungus problem by placing in direct sunlight for about 30min a day, but the infection was gone too far. (I loaned the camera to a friend who lived in a rain forest area and the infection got too bad in about 3 weeks) The age of the equipment and replacement costs used made it not viable to clean.
Anyway now for future prevention I use Silica Gel packs that have a heating element in so when the gel needs to be dried, I can plug it in direct to power and these are then dry ready for the next session, drying time can be between 4 - 10 hours. They are affordable and easy to use. For the Dyxum members in Australia, the dehumidifier versions that are dried by connecting to power are available through Bunnings for about $50. Also silica gel available link below and in bulk volume if required. http://www.tee-zed.com.au/scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=755 - dehumidifier http://www.silicagel.com.au/?gclid=CNXKpKO9qqUCFQHVbgod317yaA - Silica Gel Regards, Craig ------------- Please dont edit my photo's https://www.wildlife-horizons.com.au - Wildlife Horizons |
Posted By: youpii
Date Posted: 21 November 2010 at 06:57
|
I went to a couple of 2nd-hand shops to get an opinion. It's only a large dust. ------------- http://flickr.com/ephankim/" rel="nofollow - http://flickr.com/ephankim/ |
Posted By: nigelbrooks
Date Posted: 21 November 2010 at 08:14
Good news, enjoy the lens  ------------- I've been away! |
Posted By: Blame
Date Posted: 25 November 2010 at 12:22
|
I did read that microscope manufacturers are using slow release fungicides.
It does give one ideas. After cleaning the lenses, how about coating the inside of the body with a fungicide to prevent reinfection? Warning : I have no idea if a commercial fungicide won't release anything (oil?, moisture?) that will screw up your lens anyway. ------------- A900, Min 24-105, 35-105, Samyang 14/2.8, 35/1.4, Sig 70/2.8 Macro, ISCO Ultra 125/2, Tam 180/3.5 Macro, Sig 400/5.6 TeleMacro |
Posted By: paulofessel
Date Posted: 23 June 2011 at 18:35
|
By request of stiuskr, here's one from my 11-months old SAL1680Z. You can read the http://www.dyxum.com/dforum/topic76952.html" rel="nofollow - full history here . http://img594.imageshack.us/i/fungosal1680zquadrado.jpg/" rel="nofollow">  The pattern of this fungus is very different from everything I have ever saw. Whenever I saw fungus in my lenses, it either grew from the border of the glass or formed spots in very definite positions of the lens. In this case, it is spread throughout the second element in a quasi-periodic manner, as if it came from a lattice of spores. Added info 06/24/2011: other Dyxum member has a lens that is http://www.dyxum.com/dforum/topic76952_post886482.html#886482" rel="nofollow - suffering exactly the same issue . According to him, he already took the lens to a authorized service center and the fungus is forming between the two fused frontal elements, probably in the glue that joins them. I'm in southeast Brazil and he is in Australia, and we both have lenses with the dreaded S/Ns. ------------- http://public.fotki.com/Zarastro/ - Fotki α900+some FF glass α700+some DC glass KM5D, R.I.P. 
|