Pentax-A 20mm 2.8 haze - thoughts?

Jurredb · 06-22-2021, 04:44 AM

Hey,

Received a lens I took a punt on, seller mentioned no major dust / fungus etc, opened the box and quickly found some haze on one of the rear elements using the flash-light test. Just wanted to try and see if I could get some thoughts on clean-ability / severity before returning.

Cheers!

Spock · 06-22-2021, 04:59 AM

Sadly, it looks like a fungus to me.

Having said that, fungus can be professionally cleaned and disinfected.

Kwong · 06-22-2021, 05:11 AM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by Jurredb

Hey,

Received a lens I took a punt on, seller mentioned no major dust / fungus etc, opened the box and quickly found some haze on one of the rear elements using the flash-light test. Just wanted to try and see if I could get some thoughts on clean-ability / severity before returning.

Cheers!

personally i would return it, obviously not as advertised.

pschlute · 06-22-2021, 06:03 AM

Originally posted by Kwong

personally i would return it, obviously not as advertised.

Agreed

**UncleVanya** · 06-22-2021, 06:11 AM

If fungus it can damage the coatings. It’s a real risk that you need to take into account. Chances are your seller will offer a discount, just keep the risk in mind.

vonBaloney · 06-22-2021, 06:30 AM

That doesn't look good at all

**arnold** · 06-22-2021, 06:56 AM

Delamination?

Spock · 06-22-2021, 07:57 AM

Originally posted by UncleVanya

If fungus it can damage the coatings. It’s a real risk that you need to take into account. Chances are your seller will offer a discount, just keep the risk in mind.

If it's a fungus it can also infect other lenses and cameras.

**UncleVanya** · 06-22-2021, 08:03 AM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by Spock

If it's a fungus it can also infect other lenses and cameras.

That is a religious debate. Commonly held beliefs on this are polarizing. I can find sources that say that this is a zero risk and sources that say it is a huge risk. Honestly that’s a low risk in my opinion no matter what the absolute truth is if the plan is to clean the lens. You can segregate it away from other lenses and make sure storage of existing gear is dry and humidity is well controlled in general.

**DonV** · 06-22-2021, 08:05 AM

Looks like more than just haze.
I think damage is done to the lens surface- as others said- maybe fungus.

Return it for sure. JMHO.

Spock · 06-22-2021, 08:14 AM

Originally posted by UncleVanya

That is a religious debate. Commonly held beliefs on this are polarizing. I can find sources that say that this is a zero risk and sources that say it is a huge risk. Honestly that’s a low risk in my opinion no matter what the absolute truth is if the plan is to clean the lens. You can segregate it away from other lenses and make sure storage of existing gear is dry and humidity is well controlled in general.

I agree it's a low risk if it's stored away from other gear until cleaned and disinfected.
But leaving it in the same cupboard as the rest of the camera gear for a few years would be a bad idea.

**ramseybuckeye** · 06-22-2021, 08:14 AM

Return it, not as advertised and possibly uncleanable.

**jatrax** · 06-22-2021, 08:14 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Spock

If it's a fungus it can also infect other lenses and cameras.

No it can't, the fungus is long dead as soon as it ran out of food and water.

But regardless, the lens is "not as described". Send it back. Its not worth the risk or cost of cleaning.

Spock · 06-22-2021, 08:16 AM

Originally posted by jatrax

No it can't, the fungus is long dead as soon as it ran out of food and water.

But regardless, the lens is "not as described". Send it back. Its not worth the risk or cost of cleaning.

How do you know it ran out of food and water? It obviously took some time to get to the size it did and what's to say its stopped growing and shedding spores?

**jatrax** · 06-22-2021, 08:16 AM - **7 Likes**

Originally posted by Spock

I agree it's a low risk if it's stored away from other gear until cleaned and disinfected.But leaving it in the same cupboard as the rest of the camera gear for a few years would be a bad idea.

It is zero risk. There are more spores in the air than there are in that lens. Its simple biology. But nevermind, the OP just needs to send it back.

---------- Post added 06-22-21 at 08:20 AM ----------

Originally posted by Spock

How do you know it ran out of food and water?

Fungus doesn't 'shed' spores. It grows fruiting bodies when it is mature. And in 20 years of examining lenses I have never seen fungus inside that has matured enough to grow a fruiting body, thus no spores. Infection comes from spores already in the air.

And it obviously ran out of food or it would be growing all through the lens. Fungus (or anything growing) needs a constant supply of food and water. Fungus starts in lenses because there is moisture in the lens. Once that is used up or dries up the fungus dies.

06-22-2021, 04:44 AM	#1
Jurredb New Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Posts: 6	Pentax-A 20mm 2.8 haze - thoughts? Hey, Received a lens I took a punt on, seller mentioned no major dust / fungus etc, opened the box and quickly found some haze on one of the rear elements using the flash-light test. Just wanted to try and see if I could get some thoughts on clean-ability / severity before returning. Cheers!

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06-22-2021, 04:59 AM	#2
Spock Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Perth, Western Australia Photos: Albums Posts: 674	Sadly, it looks like a fungus to me. Having said that, fungus can be professionally cleaned and disinfected.

06-22-2021, 05:11 AM - 2 Likes	#3
Kwong Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Canada Photos: Albums Posts: 198	Originally posted by Jurredb Hey, Received a lens I took a punt on, seller mentioned no major dust / fungus etc, opened the box and quickly found some haze on one of the rear elements using the flash-light test. Just wanted to try and see if I could get some thoughts on clean-ability / severity before returning. Cheers! personally i would return it, obviously not as advertised.

06-22-2021, 06:03 AM	#4
pschlute Moderator Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Surrey, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,219	Originally posted by Kwong personally i would return it, obviously not as advertised. Agreed

06-22-2021, 06:11 AM	#5
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,472	If fungus it can damage the coatings. It’s a real risk that you need to take into account. Chances are your seller will offer a discount, just keep the risk in mind.

06-22-2021, 06:30 AM	#6
vonBaloney Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 6,029	That doesn't look good at all

06-22-2021, 06:56 AM	#7
arnold Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,299	Delamination?

06-22-2021, 07:57 AM	#8
Spock Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Perth, Western Australia Photos: Albums Posts: 674	Originally posted by UncleVanya If fungus it can damage the coatings. It’s a real risk that you need to take into account. Chances are your seller will offer a discount, just keep the risk in mind. If it's a fungus it can also infect other lenses and cameras.

06-22-2021, 08:03 AM - 2 Likes	#9
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,472	Originally posted by Spock If it's a fungus it can also infect other lenses and cameras. That is a religious debate. Commonly held beliefs on this are polarizing. I can find sources that say that this is a zero risk and sources that say it is a huge risk. Honestly that’s a low risk in my opinion no matter what the absolute truth is if the plan is to clean the lens. You can segregate it away from other lenses and make sure storage of existing gear is dry and humidity is well controlled in general.

06-22-2021, 08:05 AM	#10
DonV Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Near Charlotte NC Photos: Albums Posts: 695	Looks like more than just haze. I think damage is done to the lens surface- as others said- maybe fungus. Return it for sure. JMHO.

06-22-2021, 08:14 AM	#11
Spock Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Perth, Western Australia Photos: Albums Posts: 674	Originally posted by UncleVanya That is a religious debate. Commonly held beliefs on this are polarizing. I can find sources that say that this is a zero risk and sources that say it is a huge risk. Honestly that’s a low risk in my opinion no matter what the absolute truth is if the plan is to clean the lens. You can segregate it away from other lenses and make sure storage of existing gear is dry and humidity is well controlled in general. I agree it's a low risk if it's stored away from other gear until cleaned and disinfected. But leaving it in the same cupboard as the rest of the camera gear for a few years would be a bad idea.

06-22-2021, 08:14 AM	#12
ramseybuckeye Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Hampstead, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 17,296	Return it, not as advertised and possibly uncleanable.

06-22-2021, 08:14 AM - 1 Like	#13
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,992	Originally posted by Spock If it's a fungus it can also infect other lenses and cameras. No it can't, the fungus is long dead as soon as it ran out of food and water. But regardless, the lens is "not as described". Send it back. Its not worth the risk or cost of cleaning.

06-22-2021, 08:16 AM	#14
Spock Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Perth, Western Australia Photos: Albums Posts: 674	Originally posted by jatrax No it can't, the fungus is long dead as soon as it ran out of food and water. But regardless, the lens is "not as described". Send it back. Its not worth the risk or cost of cleaning. How do you know it ran out of food and water? It obviously took some time to get to the size it did and what's to say its stopped growing and shedding spores?

06-22-2021, 08:16 AM - 7 Likes	#15
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,992	Originally posted by Spock I agree it's a low risk if it's stored away from other gear until cleaned and disinfected.But leaving it in the same cupboard as the rest of the camera gear for a few years would be a bad idea. It is zero risk. There are more spores in the air than there are in that lens. Its simple biology. But nevermind, the OP just needs to send it back. ---------- Post added 06-22-21 at 08:20 AM ---------- Originally posted by Spock How do you know it ran out of food and water? Fungus doesn't 'shed' spores. It grows fruiting bodies when it is mature. And in 20 years of examining lenses I have never seen fungus inside that has matured enough to grow a fruiting body, thus no spores. Infection comes from spores already in the air. And it obviously ran out of food or it would be growing all through the lens. Fungus (or anything growing) needs a constant supply of food and water. Fungus starts in lenses because there is moisture in the lens. Once that is used up or dries up the fungus dies.