[Theov39]

I have a Pentax DA 55-300 lens (first generation) that unfortunately has succumbed to fungus. Quite a bit is clearly visible across the different elements.

I am now storing it separately from my other lenses, BUT If I keep using this lens, can it 'spread' to other lenses if i use them on the same camera?

Can it also infect the camera?

Thank you!

Theo

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Last edited by Theov39; 03-18-2018 at 03:07 AM.

[JohnX]

Fungus spores are all around, all the time, just looking for the right conditions to grow, so whilst others may have a different view mine is simply don't keep the lenses in dark, airless, humid conditions and you should be fine.

No more or less risk of 'contagion' just because you have one lens with fungus.

[Stavri]

Extremely....I'd inspect all take all the lenses that have been in the proximity of the "infected" one and send them immediately to me....ASAP

Fungus spores are all around, all the time, just looking for the right conditions to grow, so whilst others may have a different view mine is simply don't keep the lenses in dark, airless, humid conditions and you should be fine.

No more or less risk of 'contagion' just because you have one lens with fungus.

To add to JohnX, I keep a UV light handy, and do a periodical sweep of my lenses for peace of mind

[BarryE]

Extremely....I'd inspect all take all the lenses that have been in the proximity of the "infected" one and send them immediately to me....ASAP



To add to JohnX, I keep a UV light handy, and do a periodical sweep of my lenses for peace of mind

Ref the UV ... I wonder how effective this is ? Isn't UV significantly (moderately) attenuated by glass, especially with multiple glass/air interfaces in lenses ? If it is effective, what do you use ?

[pacerr]

. . . take all the lenses...and send them immediately to me.

Absolutely. The bodies too. That's the only sure solution for your total peace of mind . . . and then be sure to wash your hand frequently afterwards!

[jatrax]

I am now storing it separately from my other lenses, BUT If I keep using this lens, can it 'spread' to other lenses if i use them on the same camera?

Despite tons of internet myths, the answer is no. Fungus spores are in the air all the time and most likely in all of your lenses already. The only way this could possibly happen is if the fungus lives long enough to develop fruiting bodies and then expels spores into your other gear. But since all your gear already has spores inside it really does not matter. And although I have handled, and disassembled, numerous lenses with fungus, I have never seen fruiting bodies inside a lens.

Fungus can only grow in the presence of moisture and food. If you get your lens wet you have moisture and perhaps a tiny bit of food, but not enough for the fungus to grow for long. In most cases, spores sprout and filaments grow until the water is used up then they die, never really living long enough to fruit and make new spores.

The only way to prevent fungus is to keep your gear dry. If exposed to moisture, dry it immediately using a dry box if necessary. And moisture does not only mean rain. Your can get condensation inside a lens by moving a cold lens into a warm, moist environment. Such as going from strong air-conditioning to the outside on a warm, humid day. Or into a warm, moist home from a cold outside excursion.

[stevebrot]

Is fungus in lenses 'contagious'?

In theory, yes. That being said, I am unaware of any controlled experiment where the assertion has been tested. My thoughts on the subject run like this:

• An optical glass surface is a very inhospitable place to live. In the realm of fungi and other microbes, inhospitable environments tend to be colonized by specialists. In this case, the specialization is an ability to colonize the glass surfaces inside a lens.
• In areas where fungus infested optics are common, the spore source is almost assuredly environmental
• Whether those same spores are common in other regions is a good question
• A question that might be asked is, "In regions where optical fungal infestations are common, does the same thing happen with window glass or unused glassware?"

I live in an area where fungal infestation on lens glass is rare, though there is no scarcity of mold or mildew overall. I have never encountered fungus on a locally purchased lens, but have sent back many lenses purchased from outside my region due to fungus or evidence of clumsy fungus removal (scrubbing marks on internal elements). Because of that, I avoid lens or camera purchase from the South and Southeast U.S. and am wary of items from states with high summer humidity.* I also avoid used lens purchases after major hurricanes or flooding events. When I do get an infested lens, my practice is:

• Put the lens in a ziplock bag
• Discard all packing materials in the trash
• Wash hands well
• Wipe down the counter with 10% bleach solution

Am I being extreme? That is hard to say. I like to think that I am simply too cheap to accept the risk.


Steve

* The big exception I make is for purchases from KEH in Georgia.

[stevebrot]

In most cases, spores sprout and filaments grow until the water is used up then they die, never really living long enough to fruit and make new spores.

Indeed. The usual presentation is a "spot" on an inside surface. That being said, I am reminded of when I first encountered fungus-infested optics. I was spending some time at the Bellairs Research Institute in Barbados doing some tropical field biology. About six months prior to my arrival the laboratory had taken delivery of a dozen very expensive Wild research microscopes. When we asked if those might be available for our use, the response was that they were unusable due to fungus. I took a look and as near as I could tell, all internal glass surfaces were occupied from edge to edge with fungal filaments. Interior metal and painted surfaces were fungus free.


Steve

[niceshot]

The answer is NO NO NO

[mechmike10]

Call me paranoid, but I store all my lenses when not in use or on a trip away from home in a translucent storage container (shoe box size) with the front elements uncovered in a room that sees at least occasional light, with a silica gel container in the box. IMHOP, this is the best way to avoid fungus.

[Theov39]

Thanks for all the above answers! Very helpful. I now keep all my other lenses in a humidity controlled cabinet and luckily they are unaffected. The lens I will give away to my sister and yes I did warn her it has fungus but she says no problem!

The east coast of Australia is high humidity zone like the southern states in the US so fungus is always a risk here.

---------- Post added 04-03-17 at 12:13 AM ----------

In theory, yes. That being said, I am unaware of any controlled experiment where the assertion has been tested. My thoughts on the subject run like this:

• An optical glass surface is a very inhospitable place to live. In the realm of fungi and other microbes, inhospitable environments tend to be colonized by specialists. In this case, the specialization is an ability to colonize the glass surfaces inside a lens.
• In areas where fungus infested optics are common, the spore source is almost assuredly environmental
• Whether those same spores are common in other regions is a good question
• A question that might be asked is, "In regions where optical fungal infestations are common, does the same thing happen with window glass or unused glassware?"

I live in an area where fungal infestation on lens glass is rare, though there is no scarcity of mold or mildew overall. I have never encountered fungus on a locally purchased lens, but have sent back many lenses purchased from outside my region due to fungus or evidence of clumsy fungus removal (scrubbing marks on internal elements). Because of that, I avoid lens or camera purchase from the South and Southeast U.S. and am wary of items from states with high summer humidity.* I also avoid used lens purchases after major hurricanes or flooding events. When I do get an infested lens, my practice is:

• Put the lens in a ziplock bag
• Discard all packing materials in the trash
• Wash hands well
• Wipe down the counter with 10% bleach solution

Am I being extreme? That is hard to say. I like to think that I am simply too cheap to accept the risk.


Steve

* The big exception I make is for purchases from KEH in Georgia.

Doesn't sound extreme to me. Good methodological approach to cut down the risk I'd say.

---------- Post added 04-03-17 at 12:15 AM ----------

Despite tons of internet myths, the answer is no. Fungus spores are in the air all the time and most likely in all of your lenses already. The only way this could possibly happen is if the fungus lives long enough to develop fruiting bodies and then expels spores into your other gear. But since all your gear already has spores inside it really does not matter. And although I have handled, and disassembled, numerous lenses with fungus, I have never seen fruiting bodies inside a lens.

Fungus can only grow in the presence of moisture and food. If you get your lens wet you have moisture and perhaps a tiny bit of food, but not enough for the fungus to grow for long. In most cases, spores sprout and filaments grow until the water is used up then they die, never really living long enough to fruit and make new spores.

The only way to prevent fungus is to keep your gear dry. If exposed to moisture, dry it immediately using a dry box if necessary. And moisture does not only mean rain. Your can get condensation inside a lens by moving a cold lens into a warm, moist environment. Such as going from strong air-conditioning to the outside on a warm, humid day. Or into a warm, moist home from a cold outside excursion.

Good advice! I will keep that in mind. Here we get a lot of hot and humid days unfortunately.

[35mmfilmfan]

Tongue in cheek query - does keeping a UV filter on the lens at all times prevent the spread of fungus ?

Sorry

[jatrax]

Good advice! I will keep that in mind. Here we get a lot of hot and humid days unfortunately.

I had considered rain the only possible means of getting a lens wet until a Caribbean vacation. After shopping in one of the tourist shops off the cruise pier where they had the A/C cranked to refrigeration levels I went back outside into the 90 degree F / 90% humidity environment. It took about 15 minutes even in that heat for all the fog to disappear from the lens surfaces. Condensation all through the lens. Fortunately it dried out with no fungus but since then I am very careful in that situation.

One method is to place the cold gear in a ziplock bag when going into a warm, humid environment and let it warm up inside the bag which will have air that has relatively little moisture in it. Once the temperature has equalized you can take the gear out of the bag.

If you live in an area that has constant high humidity it might be worth it to build or buy a dry box to store your gear in. This can be as simple as a closed box or cabinet with an incandescent light bulb inside to provide some heat. Search for camera dry box and there are plans available. Here is a commercial version: amazon.com : 21l Electronic Dehumidify Dry Cabinet Box for Dslr Camera Lens Equipment Case Storage : Camera & Photo?tag=pentaxforums-20& but it is not hard to build.

[stevebrot]

One method is to place the cold gear in a ziplock bag when going into a warm, humid environment and let it warm up inside the bag which will have air that has relatively little moisture in it. Once the temperature has equalized you can take the gear out of the bag.

Condensation with temperature change is a major pain. I have had it happen overnight when backpacking in the mountains, when coming into warm moist from cold dry on snow outings, and when going out from cool dry to warm moist in the tropics. Fortunately, I have not yet had condensation marks on inner lens elements (knock on wood).

I am not sure what the best routine is except to remember that if the temperature drops enough, any moisture in the air will condense. When one factors in sealed cameras/lenses, things get real complicated. Under what conditions are you safe to change a lens or open the body to remove a flash card or battery?


Steve

[niceshot]

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