Fungus in cameras and lenses. What is it and how to avoid. 

Yes, agree 100%

Which dry cabinet?

@@GurmeetSingh-fr8uo I have the electronic one, the most hassle-free option. You can also make it out of air-sealed box and a bunch of silica gel. But you have to maintain the silica gel, because one it gets saturated, it's not sucking up moisture anymore.

​@@paceyombex I saw a video where it shows that you could put the silica gel in the oven for a couple of minutes and it can be used again. Although, I am not sure if it really works.

@@OnilMarteNavarroza It will, but then again, more hassle. Drybox is set-and-forget.

Glad it was useful - thanks

Happy to help

It’s horrible stuff. Hope the equipment was still usable? Coatings (in camera lenses) don't make a huge difference: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-Z2Nhbf5btv4.html

Bit late to the party, but if you mix a solution of hydrogen peroxide and water, disassemble the lens and let the glass sit for ten minuts before patting dry with tissue, you can then use lens tissue and good quality lens/glasses cleaner to remove residue. Wipe round the lens housing with isopropyl alcohol and reassmble. I have used this method on a serious case of fungas, and it's not reappeared as of yet. Didn't damage the coating either.

Thanks for commenting

Thanks for your comments - always appreciated

Thanks for commenting.

Thank you

Glad it was helpful!

That should work really well!

A dry cabinet is your best and really only option if you live in a humid country.

Glad it was useful!

Glad it was useful. Enjoy your Sony!

Thank you - my pleasure.

Glad it was helpful!

Thank you for your input - always appreciated. Yes, a correctly designed/maintained/monitored dry space is best. Especially if you can incorporate a filtered air system. Ultimately. the measures you take will be driven by your local environment. Those living in humid areas/countries will need to manage more proactively. Wherever you live, awareness and good day to day discipline are the best first steps.

​@@WorldwideCameraExchange As a general rule I have my legacy lenses stripped and serviced every 10 years. As legacy lenses are not sealed, so dust does penetrate over time. The cost is minimal if no issues and keeps them in A1 condition.

Careful there, I'd bring up a few points. - Indicating silica is great so you know you're replacing it for a fresh one (air could have gotten in and you wouldn't know that otherwise), but it does not correspond when it no longer works. Depending on the type, it usually changes color when it takes up 10% of its weight, but it will keep taking in moisture usually up to 30-40% of its weight. - Drying them in microwave is the worst way since you can't control the temperature there. If the temperature gets too high, the indicating silica will release toxic and corrosive fumes. Some indicating types are worse than others. I also heard that too high drying temperatures degrade the silica. And since we're preventing fungus here, I wouldn't get my silica contaminated in food environments, and vice-versa. - 300g of silica for 25L is way too much. The general rule is 2g per liter. Sure you can do a little more, especially if you need to remove excess moisture, but 6 times that is bit too much. Too dry environment isn't good here either. Firstly you will rapidly degrade glues and rubber and secondly, there's a type of fungus that loves overly dry environments. So it doesn't help this case either.

Also a clarification as I misunderstood your comment. Since the 300g is used for temporary drying out the moisture during use, then that makes sense. I imagined you'd then use that for storage as well xD

Thanks for your input. Always very welcome.

It’s a question that’s fiercely debated. Some say yes, others no (because dust on the glass might the increase the chance of fungus forming). The most important thing is to reduce humidity and increase airflow.

Thanks

Fungus loves humidity. I’d recommend getting the lens looked at immediately. Hopefully will be an easy fix if it isn’t too established. Good luck.

It's something everybody should know about. Storage is so important to prevent the fungus from developing in the first place.

Secondhand camera lenses. Checks to make buying Nikon Canon Sony Fuji Leica Hasselblad Bronica etc ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-2vIM5YScewY.html

Glad it was useful!

@@WorldwideCameraExchange absolutely!

Hope it’s useful.

It was useful, I will not attempt to clean my cameras and lenses, I will find a professional guy.

Yes, always the best way.

Thanks - glad it was useful

Thanks - appreciated

Storage and in an airtight container will work well but only if the atmosphere within is dry. So you’ll need to use silica gel and regularly dry it out. As I say in the video, the issue is made worse if storage is humid, dark and/or airless. Take away any (preferable all) of these factors and you’ll reduce the chance of any problems.

Thanks for commenting

It likely depends on where you live.

@silekiernanphotography yes, absolutely. Correct storage in more humid climates is far more important.

@@WorldwideCameraExchange I belive fungus is often the result of improper lens care. i.e. people not drying lenses after shooting in rain. I've lived in Dallas, New York, and Seattle -- not exactly non-humid climates. I've recently started keeping some lenses in a de-humidity cabinet because watching too many RU-vid videos has made me paranoid about fungus, even though I've never seen it on my lenses. And some of my lenses date back to the 1950s.

Yes, absolutely, it’s all about how you look after the equipment. Follow the guidance in the video and hopefully you’ll never have an issue. In humid climates a dry cabinet is probably a good idea.

Having it professionally cleaned is the only sensible option. Exposing it to sunlight may or may not kill the fungus - you won't know until it either spreads or doesn't. Personally I wouldn't take the risk with an expensive lens. I know this isn't what you want to read. Sorry!

Thanks - appreciated

Yes, agree 100%. Especially if you live in a particularly humid region. Appreciate your input - thanks.

I wish I learned this early. Have to get 3 of my lens cleaned now. FML.

Unfortunately, yes. I have seen fungus in modern lenses that have been stored badly. However, I was told by a close contact at Canon that fungus would be less of an issue with modern coatings - but I suppose only time will tell for sure.

It’s worth a go but far more difficult than most people expect. Also the fungus may be in between sealed lens groups. If it’s in good condition it might be worth asking a Nikon repairer to quote to clean.

Thanks for commenting - it's always appreciated.

Fungus becomes an issue in dark/damp/airless environments. If you store your lenses in a dry and well ventilated area then the caps shouldn’t cause any issue.

UV light won’t be enough to prevent in isolation. You must make sure the storage area is dry / well ventilated too.

Glad it was useful

I assume you are using them with silica gel? Remember to dry it out regularly.

If I was storing for a long period I would remove the filter. Otherwise, no.

It might be worth having it cleaned?

Great case but it’ll keep the damp in as well as it keeps it out! If moisture is inside when you close it you’ll create a damp microclimate which spores will love. Best thing to do is use silica gel to keep it dry inside. Remember to dry out or replenish regularly.

Thank you so much for the quick reply! I'll order some silica gel right away and store my camera in open air when I'm home :-)

Yes! Thanks for commenting.

That all sounds good. Maybe take the lenses out of their cases if you’re not using them for a while (the cabinet will be relatively dust free). Thanks for commenting.

Welcome

Yes, exposure to uv light will eventually kill the fungus. But I don’t know which wavelengths within the UV spectrum are most effective. The device you’re using may not be as good as sunlight. My advice is to get the lens properly cleaned.

@@WorldwideCameraExchange Thanks, Jonathan!

Always happy to help

Make sure you dry out the silica gel frequently and you should be fine. If you’re regularly using the equipment the risk of fungus-related issues will be reduced.

Thank you for your comment. You're right, the image quality won't be affected, but the fungal spores can and will spread. The problem will get worse and move to other equipment in close proximity. That is a disaster!

Probably only worthwhile if the lens is valuable.

Personally I would leave the caps on. You should be fine if there's plenty of ventilation and light (assuming you don't live in a very humid area).

@@WorldwideCameraExchange comment makes no sense; the lens need to be open to kill of the fungus

Yes, a lens will need to be stripped and cleaned thoroughly if fungus has established itself inside. However, following the steps I outline will reduce the chances of this happening.

Very wise!

If you store correctly you shouldn't need to.

@@WorldwideCameraExchange another would it be over kill or safe to put Double sided tape on the back of your lens cap and camera body cap to catch any stray dust ?

Overkill! Just use a blower brush to clean the glass and inside of the caps before putting the lens away.

Don’t leave lenses in direct sunlight. Leave them exposed to UV light (so not locked in a dark cupboard year in year out). Personally I leave lens caps sitting loosely on the top of the lens. Enough to let light in but keep most dust off.

You should contact your local Zeiss authorised repairer. If the fungus is slight it should be cleanable.

Follow instructions supplied by supplier/manufacturers. Most will change colour when dry.

Sadly it’s a common problem.

Yes, dry cabinets are perfect, particularly in more humid countries.

Contact a local repair company. If the fungus is minor it may be possible to clean. Good luck!

I doubt it will be financially viable. Depends how much you are willing to spend on your Canon camera.

did you get it removed? i’m having the same problem with my sony cybershot :(

Any doubts then get a repairer to check it out.

@@WorldwideCameraExchange cheers

You can as long as you use silica gel (and regularly change it) to keep the case interior dry.

Personally I wouldn’t. If your storage is good and you monitor it shouldn’t be necessary.

Ammonia is usually used to kill the spores. I would recommend discussing with your repairer.

Yes you can but it does need to be down frequently. Thanks for commenting, always appreciated.

Yes. You should get it professionally cleaned.

@@WorldwideCameraExchange ah okay thanks, should i get my camera also check or just the lens? I checked my camera sensor and it seems fine

Just the lens. And in the meantime keep it away from your other equipment!

@@WorldwideCameraExchange thank you so much, more powerr to your channel

If you do store your equipment in a bag make sure you use sachets of silica gel and, importantly, dry them out frequently.

Yes just blot it out with a healing tool

Yes, that should work well but remember to check regularly and refresh the silica gel / desiccant.

ideally your fan needs a filter to remove dust & fungal spores. So 5um dust filter. That way clean air flow. Probably only need 1 air change an hour or less.

@@julesfisher3551 isn't it good if the box is hermetically sealed?

@@simszolcs There are two options. 1. hermetically sealed box with RH indicator, so showing circa 40% RH. This is what I use, i.e. use a hiking wetbag. Option 2. minimal filtered air flow with silica to keep RH to about 40%. Personally when I am in HK with crazy high RH, I keep my kit in sealed wetbag (18L bag and 300g silica). Saves me many times when taking photos of yachting events. Where as when in Edinburgh, with ambient RH of 55%, I keep my kit in glass shelved cabinet. In the days of legacy lenses the coating were more resistant to fungi. My camera specialist in Edinburgh (services my lenses), only found fungus in lenses that hat returned from the tropics. Now they find fungus in lenses from S England! So the bottom line is your ambient RH drives your storage approach.

@@julesfisher3551 I want to circulate air in a hermetically sealed box (using a powerbank but without fresh air intake) with silica gel to achieve 35-45% RH. The purpose of the air circulation is to allow air movement in the drum and not to cause the air to stand still. Could this be a good solution?

If you’re storing in a place that is dry it’ll make no difference. If there’s some humidity leaving the cap off may inhibit the development of fungus. Although don’t forget UV light is the key and much of this will be filtered out by your windows!

Thanks for your input.

Thanks, yes.

Thanks for commenting

Probably not a problem unless you live in a humid country. Make sure you don’t let them get dusty.

@@WorldwideCameraExchange thank you!