Mold growth on lens elements

[KeithP]

I was selling a couple of my D80 lenses to a place online. After inspecting the lenses they rejected them because of "mold/fungus growth" on the lenses elements. These are consumer grade lenses, not super expensive.

I have never heard of this before is it common? Is it something that can be fixed with a cleaning?

-KeithP

 

[Gooberlx2]

It can happen in humid environments and/or if water gets inside the lens. I guess it depends on bad it is, but you can clean it to some extent. If it's too severe, then it'll have to be professionally cleaned...assuming it's worth it.

 

[slashbinslashbash]

It's one of the more common issues with lenses. I have seen it once or twice myself.

 

[corkyg]

It generally happens in high humidity environments. I saw a lot of it in Vietnam and Panama. OEMs combat this with new lenses by packing dessicant bags within the sealed plastic bags. Professional cleaning is the best cure when it happens.

Here are some personal experiences: http://www.apug.org/forums/forum45/106058-storing-lenses-high- humidity.html

And this: http://digcamworld.blogspot.com/2012/09/how-to-save-your-camera-and-lense-from.html

 

[KeithP]

Odd, I live in California and not in humid areas. Live and learn I guess.

-KeithP

 

[SecurityTheatre]

Odd, I live in California and not in humid areas. Live and learn I guess.

-KeithP

Probably just a humid spot in the house. I've kept mine in various humid locations, but usually in a dry spot in the house like an airconditioned closet.

Mold happens, but on consumer-grade lenses, probably not worth the effort to clean, since the labor will be several hundred $$.

 

[alkemyst]

Odd, I live in California and not in humid areas. Live and learn I guess.

-KeithP

Humidity can be house born as well. Lenses stored in a closet that is next to a bathroom could be a prime issue.

In my house, the previous owner did a lot of work themselves and a crappy job at it at times. He was good at finish work, but the mechanics, electrical, plumbing, construction ... he sucked.

He put a bathtub directly over the ground in one bathroom because he wanted it lower for his kids. He busted out the concrete slab to do this. The second part was the valves backed up to our hallway closet so he put an access panel as the back wall of that closet.

It would get steamy and mildewy and I couldn't figure it out until I realized it was a false wall.

I reframed it out and just put the access panel up high where the valves are. If I do have a drain problem, I can still bust out the bottom of the drywall (I put in the waterproof type, whatever it's called) and have easier access than trenching in from under the house.

I didn't use that close to store anything else but our extra toiletries and batteries/blubs/extension cords...but the closet across from it is the same size and I have some electronics gear in that one.

 

[Berliner]

If there is REALLY fungus inside the lenses I would

a) not store them anywhere near your intact lenses
b) sell them with an accurate description as quickly as possible.

It is usually not worth the effort to TRY to clean that up. But please verify that there is actually fungus inside.