Lens Fungus Among Us

**steamloco76** · 12-03-2019, 08:09 AM

A poor Pentax SMC-A 35-105mm F3.5 "Stack Of Primes" reduced to paperweight status by FUNGUS.
Fungus in every lens group. I've had other lenses with fungus, however this is the first with all lens groups involved.
A shame since the lens is otherwise in excellent condition.

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sansfin · 12-03-2019, 08:12 AM

perhaps it can be cleaned? However, the scratches seem to be serious too and I doubt if they affect image even after complete cleaning.

7.62lew · 12-03-2019, 08:32 AM

Ouch. Looks rough. What do pics with the lens look like?

**steamloco76** · 12-03-2019, 08:42 AM

Originally posted by sansfin

perhaps it can be cleaned? However, the scratches seem to be serious too and I doubt if they affect image even after complete cleaning.

The “scratches” are fungus tendrils on the second element group. I’m not about to tackle lens disassembly of a complex zoom. I’d give it away if someone pays the postage. Mechanically, the lens is tight and the aperture snappy.

**sergysergy** · 12-03-2019, 09:48 AM - **2 Likes**

It literarily looks like a spider web!

tvdtvdtvd · 12-03-2019, 09:54 AM

Honestly, it doesn't look >that< cloudy. As asked above, what do pictures look like? If they're just a little low on contrast but otherwise fine then
I'd say the lens still has life, even if it has minimal resale value.

disconnekt · 12-03-2019, 11:41 AM - **1 Like**

#FungusAmongUs aka the thing all photographers fear lol

SpottyReputation · 12-03-2019, 11:54 AM

oh wow... consider me impressed :/

photocles · 12-03-2019, 12:02 PM

Originally posted by steamloco76

The “scratches” are fungus tendrils...

AKA, hyphae.

That fungus wants OUT!

**TwoUptons** · 12-03-2019, 12:59 PM

Originally posted by steamloco76

The “scratches” are fungus tendrils on the second element group. I’m not about to tackle lens disassembly of a complex zoom. I’d give it away if someone pays the postage. Mechanically, the lens is tight and the aperture snappy.

I’ve done a couple of zooms with mixed luck. In the best cases, the first element came right out and the second was easy as well, the hardest part being remembering which end to put back in which direction. If it’s basically worthless, it could be worth fiddling with.

-Eric

Qman · 12-03-2019, 01:26 PM

IT'S ALIVE!
Sometimes these lenses can create interesting photos. In this case probably not, but it's worth taking a few photos to see.

**kiwi_jono** · 12-03-2019, 01:36 PM

Wow thats a really bad case of fungus and very sad!
I once went to buy a 70-200 f4 that turned out to be absolutely riddled with fungus (turns out camera bag was stored on a bottom shelf in a damp garage - terrible place to store camera gear). Wish I had taken some photos now, as it would have given this lens a run for the money and I have not seen one as bad since.

If you are game, cleaning your self could be an option (otherwise its a paper weight / door stop anyway) but its not for the faint of heart!

**StiffLegged** · 12-03-2019, 01:47 PM - **2 Likes**

You shouldn't have posted these photos, there's a real risk of your lens being declared a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Its status and preservation orders will be argued over for decades until the local planners quietly allow an Amazon warehouse to be built on it. You have been warned.

**steamloco76** · 12-03-2019, 02:28 PM

Originally posted by StiffLegged

You shouldn't have posted these photos, there's a real risk of your lens being declared a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Its status and preservation orders will be argued over for decades until the local planners quietly allow an Amazon warehouse to be built on it. You have been warned.

It would have to be a very small Amazon warehouse to fit on a lens.

I bought a Super Program and eight lens lot in March. The camera and three of the lenses were in excellent condition. Unfortunately, four of the other five lenses, all 1980’s Sigmas, had developed ‘Sigma Fungus’, a wet, bubbly looking goo. I should have taken pictures of those science projects before sending them to our local Waste Management landfill.

rawr · 12-03-2019, 02:31 PM

Seems a healthy growing environment in there. Could the lens coatings they used in the old days have fed the fungus in some way?

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12-03-2019, 08:12 AM	#2
sansfin Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Posts: 49	perhaps it can be cleaned? However, the scratches seem to be serious too and I doubt if they affect image even after complete cleaning.

12-03-2019, 08:32 AM	#3
7.62lew Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: North Carolina Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,192	Ouch. Looks rough. What do pics with the lens look like?

12-03-2019, 08:42 AM	#4
steamloco76 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Pennsylvania Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,710 Original Poster	Originally posted by sansfin perhaps it can be cleaned? However, the scratches seem to be serious too and I doubt if they affect image even after complete cleaning. The “scratches” are fungus tendrils on the second element group. I’m not about to tackle lens disassembly of a complex zoom. I’d give it away if someone pays the postage. Mechanically, the lens is tight and the aperture snappy.

12-03-2019, 09:48 AM - 2 Likes	#5
sergysergy Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2011 Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,168	It literarily looks like a spider web!

12-03-2019, 09:54 AM	#6
tvdtvdtvd Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 1,665	Honestly, it doesn't look >that< cloudy. As asked above, what do pictures look like? If they're just a little low on contrast but otherwise fine then I'd say the lens still has life, even if it has minimal resale value.

12-03-2019, 11:41 AM - 1 Like	#7
disconnekt Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: SoCal/I.E. Photos: Albums Posts: 1,699	#FungusAmongUs aka the thing all photographers fear lol

12-03-2019, 11:54 AM	#8
SpottyReputation Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2019 Location: Abbotsford, BC Photos: Albums Posts: 210	oh wow... consider me impressed :/

12-03-2019, 12:02 PM	#9
photocles Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Connacht, Ireland Photos: Gallery Posts: 458	Originally posted by steamloco76 The “scratches” are fungus tendrils... AKA, hyphae. That fungus wants OUT!

12-03-2019, 12:59 PM	#10
TwoUptons Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2015 Photos: Albums Posts: 4,207	Originally posted by steamloco76 The “scratches” are fungus tendrils on the second element group. I’m not about to tackle lens disassembly of a complex zoom. I’d give it away if someone pays the postage. Mechanically, the lens is tight and the aperture snappy. I’ve done a couple of zooms with mixed luck. In the best cases, the first element came right out and the second was easy as well, the hardest part being remembering which end to put back in which direction. If it’s basically worthless, it could be worth fiddling with. -Eric

12-03-2019, 01:26 PM	#11
Qman Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2017 Posts: 232	IT'S ALIVE! Sometimes these lenses can create interesting photos. In this case probably not, but it's worth taking a few photos to see.

12-03-2019, 01:36 PM	#12
kiwi_jono Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Christchurch, New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,437	Wow thats a really bad case of fungus and very sad! I once went to buy a 70-200 f4 that turned out to be absolutely riddled with fungus (turns out camera bag was stored on a bottom shelf in a damp garage - terrible place to store camera gear). Wish I had taken some photos now, as it would have given this lens a run for the money and I have not seen one as bad since. If you are game, cleaning your self could be an option (otherwise its a paper weight / door stop anyway) but its not for the faint of heart!

12-03-2019, 01:47 PM - 2 Likes	#13
StiffLegged Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2018 Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,610	You shouldn't have posted these photos, there's a real risk of your lens being declared a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Its status and preservation orders will be argued over for decades until the local planners quietly allow an Amazon warehouse to be built on it. You have been warned.

12-03-2019, 02:28 PM	#14
steamloco76 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Pennsylvania Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,710 Original Poster	Originally posted by StiffLegged You shouldn't have posted these photos, there's a real risk of your lens being declared a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Its status and preservation orders will be argued over for decades until the local planners quietly allow an Amazon warehouse to be built on it. You have been warned. It would have to be a very small Amazon warehouse to fit on a lens. I bought a Super Program and eight lens lot in March. The camera and three of the lenses were in excellent condition. Unfortunately, four of the other five lenses, all 1980’s Sigmas, had developed ‘Sigma Fungus’, a wet, bubbly looking goo. I should have taken pictures of those science projects before sending them to our local Waste Management landfill.

12-03-2019, 02:31 PM	#15
rawr Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 11,913	Seems a healthy growing environment in there. Could the lens coatings they used in the old days have fed the fungus in some way?

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