Fungus

[brian_hooks]

Was considering the purchase of a used lens from an internet auction site. If the lens has fungus I may be able to get it for a good price.

My question is would a trip to Nikon for CLA stop the fungus in the lens from growing further?

[Two23]

<p>Maybe. Lens needs to be disassembled, completely cleaned, and then freeze dried to kill all the spores. Freeze drying is one of the few ways to positively kill the microscopic spores--it dessicates them.</p>

<p>Kent in SD</p>

[robert_bouknight1]

<p>My experience is that fungus damages the coatings, at least in the older lenses. While this really does not seem to change the image quality, it is quite visible when looking through the lens even after cleaning, and would affect the future value of the lens.</p>

<p>The lens would have to be a very good deal to attract my interest.</p>

[SCL]

<p>Certain types of fungus can also etch the glass, and fungus spores spread. Generally not a great idea...but again it depends.</p>

[donbright]

<p>Just had my 55mm Micro 2.8 CLAd, $65.00, the internal elements looked awful after 30 years, but the CLA proved very successful, clear as new, then they oiled the helicoid of course. There must be different kinds of mold, or conditions contributing to etching. Obviously etching would be the worst, but again, I'm siting my own good fortune, as I'm very happy with the results.</p>

[CvhKaar]

<p>As said : Fungus spreads by microscopic small spores..<br>

I would not buy a lens with fungus, just for the risk of spreading it in my other equipment , but that's just my personal opinion..</p>

[rodeo_joe1]

<p>Kent, have you got a reference for fungal spores being killed by freezing? In general they're tough little beggars to kill and can go dormant for a while, only to be revived in the presence of enough heat/moisture/nutrient.</p>

<p>One thing I've learned through bitter experience is that natural leather camera and lens cases definitely aren't a good idea. The leather provides an ideal breeding environment for fungi that will then go on to attack your glassware. I only found this out through disposing of some old leather lens cases and replacing them with ones made of synthetic material. Before that the lenses kept in those cases were almost permanently 'fungalised', and required frequent treatment.</p>

[CvhKaar]

<p>Good advice Joe !<br>

Tthis goes also for "old faxhioned"bags & pouches lined wit felt , those are realy bad ..</p>

[andre_noble5]

<p><strong>Steer completely clear of ANY lens with fungus in it.</strong> It may possibly infect your other lenses as well.</p>

[Didier Lamy]

<p>How do you store your lenses? in a box, on a shelf? How do you carry them during travels?<br>

I use shoe boxes at home, and Domke wraps during travel</p>