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(long) they can be cleaned, BUT there are a few.... Posted by baggsly [Email]  (#2350) [Profile/Gallery]
(more from baggsly) on Tue, 13 Jun 2006 10:05:52
In Reply to: OT: Mold cleaning on camera lens and misc....., TKC, Tue, 13 Jun 2006 06:21:17 Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup |
caveats to that.
the reason it's formed in the first place is dark, damp environments. i'm guessing you've kept your gear in a camera bag and/or in a closet. there isn't a problem with that other than you should put the gel packs (either disposable or driable ones) to pick up moisture in the local environment. also, take the lenses out occaisionally and put them in the sun on a warm day and let the uv and heat kill off any organisms that may be forming.
the mold has eaten into the multicoating on the lenses, and is a living thing. so, even if you remove the mold, it may come back. also, it has now damaged the multicoating (think of as layers) so you've got an unveven surface so light may be defracted as it goes thru the lenses and hits the uneven edges of coatings. it is possible to have it removed, but it does require the complete dis-assembly of the lenses. so as you've guessed, it will cost more to do than the lenses are worth, unless they have signifigant emotional value to you.
the lenses are relatively common, especially now since digital has taken over. 50/1.8's are available for about $40.00, the 50/1.4mc's are available for about $80.00. you may now be able to purchase higher quality (faster f-stop or multicoated) lenses than you would have been able to afford previously. the zoom is also fairly common, although variable aperture (f4-5.6) are more common. fixed aperture zooms are still out there however and can be had for usually between $100.00-$150.00. be careful of lenses you cannot try beforehand as if they are loose or sloppy aperture rings or stiff or sloppy focusing you're in for a repair.
try local camera shops or pawn shops in your area, or local shops with online presence like russcamera add period and you know the rest. someone with a return policy would be good. aftermarket lenses like the tamron adaptall 28-200 would be another choice.
you can use the fungusy lenses and have the mold act as a soft focus filter if you'd like to try and use them still. if the mold is still around the outside edges you can continue to use them in the normal way as the mold grows towards the center. although sometimes mold springs up in random places on the lenses. other than that the paper weight idea certainly holds weight :-).
hope this helps.
mark :-)
posted by 161.213.72...
, Tue, 13 Jun 2006 12:22:01, Tue, 13 Jun 2006 10:05:52 <-- Viewing This Message
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