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Fungus in lens

PostPosted: Sat Aug 16, 2008 2:11 pm
by ewm3
Hello again.Another 'newbie' question.
It has been suggested that one of my lenses may have fungus in it. It is a 35-70 AF 2.8 Nikkor with macro function.
I cannot see anything; images taken of the same object with another lens show no difference.
Is there anyone in Adelaide (or elsewhere) tha may be able to check and / or repair?
Thanks for your help.
Eric in Adelaie

Re: Fungus in lens

PostPosted: Sat Aug 16, 2008 2:32 pm
by sirhc55
Fistly, the suggestion made may be completely incorrect. Once fungus takes a hold there is no ‘real’ way to deal with it. But, many years ago I used a a lens with fungus and it had no effect on the picture quality at all. I would not worry unduly just try to keep any lenses you have in an environment with less than 50% humidity.

Re: Fungus in lens

PostPosted: Sat Aug 16, 2008 6:55 pm
by Matt. K
To check for fungus in lenses.....in a dark room and using a penlight torch, open the aperture to its larges F-stop and play a beam of light through the back (rear) of the lens. Examine the lens and look for a fine, spiderweb type material on the internal elements. If none is found then feel good. Fungal growth on elements will reduce image quality but often this will not be noticable unless the fungus growth is advanced.

Re: Fungus in lens

PostPosted: Sun Aug 17, 2008 8:54 pm
by ewm3
Thanks guys. I cannot see anything like you are describing. Perhaps a very fine haze (but could be my imagination) but not any kind of clumps, threads, discolouration on lens elements or internal body parts. I have taken several photographs using the lens and a new 18-200 VR to compare. Used same apertures, distances etc. Even when enlarged I cannot see any impact on the quality of image. Do you know of anyone in Adelaide who could at least 'diagnose' / check it out?
Appreciate your help.
Eric in Adelaide.

Re: Fungus in lens

PostPosted: Sun Aug 17, 2008 10:38 pm
by Glen
Eric I cannot recommend anyone in Adelaide, but would like to expand on what was said above. It is probably more than the cost of the lens to repair it as it requires full disassembly and potential replacement of elements due to damaged coatings. If you guessed $50 to do what you have just done or $200 to get a full disassembly, which then may recommend a $300-500 repair, I think the consensus might be just to use it till something appears and as Chris says keep it in a low humidity environment.

Re: Fungus in lens

PostPosted: Mon Aug 18, 2008 12:39 am
by BBJ
Adelaide Technical Camera Service in Halifax st could be the person to see if desperate.LOL He does not speak very good english but is the Nikon repair man.

Re: Fungus in lens

PostPosted: Mon Aug 18, 2008 12:37 pm
by jdear
I have heard leaving your lenses in the sun helps... I won't be responsible for the consequence of such actions :D

obviously with the element facing into the sun.

Re: Fungus in lens

PostPosted: Mon Aug 18, 2008 1:50 pm
by aim54x
jdear wrote:I have heard leaving your lenses in the sun helps... I won't be responsible for the consequence of such actions :D

obviously with the element facing into the sun.

That sounds logical, but I am not too sure if I would do that. My Tamron 28-105mm f/2.8 shows early signs of fungus (I bought this lens 2nd hand for $230 incl posting off FLEABAY - aka EBAY) so I am interested to see if there are any other self help solutions. The AF on that lens is a little tempremental but it has been a nice lens to have sitting on the F80 ready to go.