How to remove fungus from a lens !?

Hi,

 

 

I have a lens with fungus, I took the glass with the fungus off the lens already

but don't want to even touch it before I get some tips on how to remove fungus

from a lens w/o damaging or scratching the glass.

 

Also I'd like to know how do you clean your lenses? I have some Kodak lens

cleaning paper which I use mostly dry or with a bit of alcohol but I wonder how

others clean there lenses.

 

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Thanks in advance.

 

cheers

 

Juanjo

Let the lens sit in direct sunlight for several hours. The fungus grows in a dark, damp environment: sunshine usually kills it. (Unfortunately, if the fungus is into the glass, the lens is better off retired, and finding a replacement would be the most cost effective way to go.)

If the fungus is between the elements then you need a very large hammer and an anvil. If it's growing on the outside of the lens you could use bleach on a q-tip. From the looks of the picture I would recommend the hammer method.

NO!!!! If it's between the lens and it's an old lens that used Canada Balsem then look here:

 

http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00LJY7

 

It's very easy to clean and re-glue.

Oops, I meant to say between the elements.

thanks a lot for the info...

 

Here are some close ups pictures of the fungus, can't tell if is between the element of superficial.

Anyway, I'll put the lens on the window to take few hours of sun, if that doesn't work to the oven at 350f... I'll let the hammer and anvil for last.

 

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It looks like you have a fairly advanced fungal growth. If it is on an accessible surface, you

should clean it right away with a 100% cotton ball moistened with pure Methyl alcohol.

Unfortunately it looks as though the metabolic bi-products of the mycelium growth may have

etched into the lens surface. If so, the affected element will have to be replaced.

 

Placing the lens in the sun will only halt growth. Fungus spores are pretty robust. I was able

to get a supply of cleaning liquid specially developed by Carl Zeiss for the removal of fungi,

which at the same time is a disinfectant. Try contacting the folks at Carl Zeiss, Oberkochen.

In the meantime, remove the fungus infection on your lens with methyl alcohol.

Juanjo, that's look like a pretty news lens that probably doesn't use Canada Balsem to cement the elements together so the 350 degree oven won't work. First thing to do is remove the element and look closely at the surfaces to see if the fungus is on the surface.

 

There is a solvent to separate them so let me look that up before you go too far. In any event that rear element can be removed using the slots you see in your picture. I'll also get a link for the tool you need for that. Give me a sec to look up the solvent.

Still looking but while I'm doing that look to see what surface the fungus is on.