Would this be fungus?

Michael Piziak · 02-11-2023, 08:59 PM

A very small spec on my mirror lens, would the consensus be it is fungus. It's actually one spec that the mirror lens makes it appear as if it's 2. I'm inclined to believe it's fungus as it has tentacle like "arms" protruding from it. Photos taken with SMC Pentax M-100mm F4 Macro

Click any image and in Flickr keep clicking it to continue magnifying it...

3 images

Last edited by Michael Piziak; 02-11-2023 at 09:11 PM.

**pentaxus** · 02-11-2023, 09:20 PM

I am pretty sure it is a dead insect. I call them shutter bugs. I once saw some alive on a focusing screen. I was glad that it was not my camera.

**GUB** · 02-11-2023, 09:29 PM

Probably a dust speck that fungus has started to feed off when there has been enough moisture. The fungus spores are everywhere anyway - the trick is to not supply the conditions for them to flourish. Warm moist conditions.

**yucatanPentax** · 02-12-2023, 02:01 AM

From what I can see, I agree with the insect idea. But the next comment could be valid too. Put it on a window ledge without caps and the UV will kill any fungus that's there, if it isn't already dead. Some like to use a UV lamp instead.

I clean lenses with hydrogen peroxide, dry, then repeat with 90% isopropyl alcohol, if you're planning on opening it up.

JohnX · 02-12-2023, 02:44 AM

I'd tend to agree with fungus. The filaments coming out from the main body are irregular in length and thickness. If this was a bug I'd expect more consistency in both length and thickness, as well as fewer of them.

35mmfilmfan · 02-12-2023, 02:47 AM - **2 Likes**

To the best of my limited knowledge, insects have six legs, three on each side, all of equal length. This 'thing' appears to have many more scattered around its entire perimeter. Be interesting to see how it moves.

Asahiflex · 02-12-2023, 05:02 AM

It definitely looks like fungus of the variety that I've cleaned myself.

**marcusBMG** · 02-12-2023, 07:20 AM

Which mirror lens is it? Mirrors are usually easy to open up and clean (not that you need to this won't notice).

**RICHARD L.** · 02-12-2023, 07:22 AM

Don't anguish too much on this old Sigma Reflex lens. Try it in ideal conditions (solid support, good sunny daylight, critical focus) and if it doesn't perform to your expectations, simply resell it.

85 $ isn't a huge amount in the photography world, you know.

Regards

**Bob 256** · 02-12-2023, 04:46 PM

Consider with a mirror lens, you have a central obstruction hundreds of times the size of this speck so unless it's actively "growing", I wouldn't worry about it. It could also be a small fuzz ball of something like that which comes off a wool or synthetic knitted garment, possibly entering through the rear camera port. Can you get to it with some compressed air and an extension? If you can blow it off, it's probably not fungus (fungus will attach itself to whatever it's on).

02-11-2023, 08:59 PM	#1
Michael Piziak Closed Account Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: West Virginia Posts: 2,815	Would this be fungus? A very small spec on my mirror lens, would the consensus be it is fungus. It's actually one spec that the mirror lens makes it appear as if it's 2. I'm inclined to believe it's fungus as it has tentacle like "arms" protruding from it. Photos taken with SMC Pentax M-100mm F4 Macro Click any image and in Flickr keep clicking it to continue magnifying it... 3 images Last edited by Michael Piziak; 02-11-2023 at 09:11 PM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Would you use lenses that were stored with one with fungus?	pentax360	Troubleshooting and Beginner Help	15	08-25-2018 11:50 PM
Would you buy a lens with fungus ?	radman	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	4	05-27-2016 04:35 PM
How accurate would using a DSLR be to "predict" how well a film shot would turn out?	Codazzle	Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras	10	10-09-2013 06:03 PM
Pentax F 35-70 - keep perfect past-fungus or worse without fungus	Dr.Gaga	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	2	04-25-2013 05:06 AM
Pentax D FA 50mm Macro lens has fungus - how much would it cost to fix?	bwDraco	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	8	04-13-2013 02:07 PM

02-11-2023, 09:20 PM	#2
pentaxus Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Central Coast, CA Posts: 1,320	I am pretty sure it is a dead insect. I call them shutter bugs. I once saw some alive on a focusing screen. I was glad that it was not my camera.

02-11-2023, 09:29 PM	#3
GUB Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Wanganui Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,760	Probably a dust speck that fungus has started to feed off when there has been enough moisture. The fungus spores are everywhere anyway - the trick is to not supply the conditions for them to flourish. Warm moist conditions.

02-12-2023, 02:01 AM	#4
yucatanPentax Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Dallas / Yucatan Posts: 1,841	From what I can see, I agree with the insect idea. But the next comment could be valid too. Put it on a window ledge without caps and the UV will kill any fungus that's there, if it isn't already dead. Some like to use a UV lamp instead. I clean lenses with hydrogen peroxide, dry, then repeat with 90% isopropyl alcohol, if you're planning on opening it up.

02-12-2023, 02:44 AM	#5
JohnX Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: London Posts: 1,116	I'd tend to agree with fungus. The filaments coming out from the main body are irregular in length and thickness. If this was a bug I'd expect more consistency in both length and thickness, as well as fewer of them.

02-12-2023, 02:47 AM - 2 Likes	#6
35mmfilmfan Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Norfolk, UK Posts: 4,339	To the best of my limited knowledge, insects have six legs, three on each side, all of equal length. This 'thing' appears to have many more scattered around its entire perimeter. Be interesting to see how it moves.

02-12-2023, 05:02 AM	#7
Asahiflex Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Netherlands Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,795	It definitely looks like fungus of the variety that I've cleaned myself.

02-12-2023, 07:20 AM	#8
marcusBMG Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: North Wales Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,870	Which mirror lens is it? Mirrors are usually easy to open up and clean (not that you need to this won't notice).

02-12-2023, 07:22 AM	#9
RICHARD L. Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: Quebec City, Quebec Posts: 6,637	Don't anguish too much on this old Sigma Reflex lens. Try it in ideal conditions (solid support, good sunny daylight, critical focus) and if it doesn't perform to your expectations, simply resell it. 85 $ isn't a huge amount in the photography world, you know. Regards

02-12-2023, 04:46 PM	#10
Bob 256 Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Idaho Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,378	Consider with a mirror lens, you have a central obstruction hundreds of times the size of this speck so unless it's actively "growing", I wouldn't worry about it. It could also be a small fuzz ball of something like that which comes off a wool or synthetic knitted garment, possibly entering through the rear camera port. Can you get to it with some compressed air and an extension? If you can blow it off, it's probably not fungus (fungus will attach itself to whatever it's on).