Lens fungii

[armand_amaral]

I was cleaning a lens tonight and noticed some circular translucent

specks which appear to be inside the lens. I use this lens at the

beach and thought perhaps that It was dried salt. Image quality

hasn't been affected. I guess that my question is "What does fungus

look like?"

 

Thanks in advance

[richard_oleson]

fungus usually looks more or less like tiny spider webs. in its early stages it is just pinpoints, but these are often accompanied by a surrounding halo of discoloration in the coating. if caught early and cleaned, it can be removed with no damage to the lens (though you have to keep an eye out for it in case it grows back again). if left long enough, the fungus secretes a substance that etches grooves into the glass and destroys the lens.

 

:)=

[douglas_greenberg]

Contrary to what some people believe, it actually takes a while for the fungus to "etch" the glass. So you have a little time. As the previous poster said, fungus will look like snowflakes, not cleanly circular specks. So what you have may indeed be dried salt or something else that dried on the glass as a result of moisture/vapor getting into the lens.

 

If it turns out to be fungus, it's worth cleaning off IF the lens is fairly expensive. Consider that the cost will be $200+ for the labor, so that gives you an idea of what might be involved.

[alex_lofquist]

It is also inedible!