Rangefinder Fungus Zapper 2000

akptc · 05-27-2006

I need some - a lens I received in the mail has a faint smell that I am afraid might mean future fungus if left untreated. Visual inspection under a loupe shows nothing but perfect glass and not a trace of fungus or even dust. While this hint of a foreign smell could be the result of the lens heaving spent some time wrapped in a protective cloth (the same smell), I want to make sure fungus does not happen to it.

Is there is an effective and simple way to treat or store the lens now that I have it, to make sure that fungus, if present, is dead for sure?

I've looked at light boxes but those are yet another piece of hardware to clutter my office. I am hoping to find a "Rangefinder Fungus Zapper 2000" in a bottle (or spray, ideally

)

Thanks for any advice.

bmattock · 05-27-2006

Ultraviolet light kills many fungi, and G-Man is right, plenty of that in sunlight. Many people put their lenses on a window sill where it will get direct sunlight and leave it there for several days. Indoors, of course.

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks

akptc · 05-27-2006

Dave, Bill - thank you, I was hoping it was as simple as that. Well, for once I will appreciate the (blazing) Arizona sunshine

bmattock · 05-27-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by akptc

Dave, Bill - thank you, I was hoping it was as simple as that. Well, for once I will appreciate the (blazing) Arizona sunshine

Some people also wrap the lens in aluminum foil before putting it in the window to bake in the sun, but I need all my aluminum foil for my special hats. I always have to remember to cut out the eyeholes, or I'm bumping into furniture again.

http://www.popphoto.com/article.asp?...7&print_page=y

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks

payasam · 05-27-2006

A beneficent providence *and* aluminium foil?

akptc · 05-27-2006

Cool! I use my aluminum foil to fry eggs on my driveway, about 3 min for overeasy. And now I can fry my lenses too...

sf · 05-27-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmattock

Some people also wrap the lens in aluminum foil before putting it in the window to bake in the sun, but I need all my aluminum foil for my special hats. I always have to remember to cut out the eyeholes, or I'm bumping into furniture again.

http://www.popphoto.com/article.asp?...7&print_page=y

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks

but wouldn't that negate the UV effect? - on the lens, I mean.

Dougg · 05-28-2006

George I think the logic of the foil is to reflect the sun's UV back through the lens for another pass, and accelerate the effect. One places the lens on a sheet of foil, say on a windowsill, and facing the lens toward the sun... I suppose it might not be too bad an idea in addition to fold the foil up around the barrel of a black-finish lens in hopes that would keep it from getting overly warm.

payasam · 05-28-2006

So the wrapping is partial, in the form of a tube. That makes sense.

RJBender · 05-29-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dougg

George I think the logic of the foil is to reflect the sun's UV back through the lens for another pass, and accelerate the effect. One places the lens on a sheet of foil, say on a windowsill, and facing the lens toward the sun... I suppose it might not be too bad an idea in addition to fold the foil up around the barrel of a black-finish lens in hopes that would keep it from getting overly warm.

What about the possibility of the grease in the lens helical migrating to the lens diaphragm ?

R.J.

Dougg · 05-29-2006

Good reason to keep the lens cool whilst irradiating the glass (wide open)!

payasam · 05-30-2006

Time, perhaps, to move to a discussion of the thermal conductivity of different kinds of optical glass.

kully · 05-30-2006

I'm also looking for this device, before I send my camera off for a good scrubbing by a camera repair bloke.

Is the advice given above the same for non-lens-changeable cameras? My GTN is showing a little fungus behind the edges of the front element, I don't want to leave it on the window sill just in case the heat damages the (admittedly metal) shutters behind.

bmattock · 05-30-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by RJBender

What about the possibility of the grease in the lens helical migrating to the lens diaphragm ?

Tougher emigration laws.

kully · 06-05-2006

Cheers g'man.

I took apart my Jupiter-8 on Sunday to practice before destroying the GTN. Took it apart fine, cleaned it up with some lens solution and a microfibre cloth but putting it back toghther and looking through it I can now see a myriad of dust specks on the elements that were exposed to the air.

The room I took it apart in is hoovered twice a week, but it does have carpet...

Should I have taken more care (doing it in the bathroom?) or is my room just plain dusty?

David Murphy · 06-05-2006

My guess is that in the dry SW where you live (Arizona), the fungus will not grow. Old lenses I get from tropical or temperate places much more often have fungus or early signs of it. My camera tech has removed fungus and haze on most lenses (CLA) where I had the issue for about $50 -- puts 'em back to almost new condition. Of course the lens must be worth somewhat more than this to make it worthwhile.

rvaubel · 06-05-2006

Bathrooms are a good place to assemble cleaned lenses. Especially after running the shower for a bit to steam up the room. That will knock down the dust. After a half hour or so the humidity should return to normal which, in the SF bay area is around 50% and doesnt seem to result in fungus. This may be a bad idea in the tropics.

Rex