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This is to be added to my previous question about the scratch on the converter and fungus on the internal element of 50 mm lens. Despite I kept my lenses and my camera's body in sealed bags with moisture absorbants (extra strength) every night on my return to my hotel, the fungus was formed anyway. Is there any solution to such problems, ie, can the fungus be cleaned somehow. What would you do when you come across such problems?

Thanks,
Shary

Hi Shary,

Fungus on the internal elements of a lens is not good. It
can eat through the lens coating and possibly damage the
glass also. It appears as tiny cottony fibers between the
lens elements, when viewed with a magnifier or a 50mm lens
used backwards as a loupe.

Fungus usually is the result of the lens being stored in
cool, dark, damp conditions, which should give you some
clue as to how to avoid it. The only way to determine if
permanent damage has been done is to have an experienced
camera tech disassemble the lens and attempt to clean it,
which can sometimes cost as much as a good replacement lens.

One thing you might try is to place the lens, with aperture
wide open, in bright sunlight for a couple hours, allowing
sunlight to pass through the glass, in an attempt to kill
the fungus. There is no guarantee that this will work, but
it won't hurt the lens. It might at least stop the fungus
from getting worse.

Well let me first say. unless you have more than $300 tied up in the lens.. its pointless to have it professionally cleaned. A: Its expensive B: There is no guarantee it will be all cleaned away. OK now try exposing the element to light(it cant hurt) if its the rear lens dont have the light pass from fron to rear. the light may stop the fungus growth and prolong the use of the lens.
The fungus usually begins on the outer rims of the lens and migrates into the center. This means that even if there is fungus on the element it still can be used. ** I wouldnt use this lens for anything critical. the rear element is the last element the light passes thru before striking the film plane this means whatever apature your using will only let that much light thru.. I hope this is telling you something. if not. only a percentage of the inner lens is actually being used. the smaller the aperture (larger the F-stop) so the fungus will not effect the photo. Of course if you have to use a real fast setting you will be out of luck.

James W.	Christine A.	Salvador L.	Ayan M.	Michele B.	Moises L.	a. S.	Gregory M.

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