lens fungus

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I had left a lens out in the car in the middle of winter. It sat in the car for a good while before I remembered it. When I brought it in the house, the inside elements fogged up, but this went away. I was wondering if this is what caused fungus inside lenses. Also, a lens of mine has these little spots inside one of the elements. They're a glarey kind of small spot, something I have seen before on used lenses. I was wondering what causes this, and I believe it would not effect the printed image. Right?

-- Raven (mtand13@netreach.net), November 11, 2001

Answers

Just an add on. I just read a thread on this site saying that the lens should be in the temp. that one is shooting in for a while. Not taking it from warmth to cold, and using it right away because of condensation and the shutter getting used to the cold. I was just wondering, if I'm out shooting for the day in winter, and I pop in and out of stores, which will be nice and warm, and back out in the cold what effect, if any this has on a lens/shutter. The above thread said its more important to keep the light meter warm. I was going to keep the lens inside my coat till shooting, I guess not? With something so expensive, I just want to do the right thing. Thank you for your advise.

-- Raven (mtand13@netreach.net), November 11, 2001.

Raven,

I don't know that a one time event with condensation would cause mold to grow. This may be the one time that you noticed the condensation. Alternatively, perhaps this mold likes the cement used in optics.

If you're going in and out, you may consider keeping your meter in a plastic bag. Even though it's in your coat, it will be cooler than you are. If your activity is causing you to perspire, mositure will ultimately collect on it, and eventually in it if it isn't well sealed. Keeping your lenses in plastic bags may also eliminate some of your condensation problems as you go in and out.

Regarding how much fungus is tolerable (ugh, very little!), you could borrow/rent a comparable lens from some one and then conduct a comparison test between prints made from the two lenses.

Best wishes,

-- Bruce M. Herman (bherman@gci.net), November 12, 2001.


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