Fungal growing in lenses?

[Jack]

I found somewhere that there is a chance that in the lenses can grow some kind of fungal, which i think I've seen such of discussion here on forum.

I would like to ask how this can happen and how can i prevent this?

Thanks

 

[Jack]

I put 2 bags silica gel inside my camera bag. My camera and lenses are water and dust sealed but still can't avoid this problem. Usually if we don't use our camera for too long and just leave it inside the bag or an ordinary storage, the fungal will appear.

From what I know, an airtight storage/dry box, silica gel, and UV light will help the camera safe from fungal, Jack. And of course clean the camera after we use and before we store it back.

To much maintenance. I heard about UV light. But that's to much in my opinion. I will have to order some silica then. What kind of storage are you recommending ?

 

[Jack]

If I'm not mistaken, electric silica gel product for camera is available now, Jack. It's rechargeable. Maybe more environment friendly than the silica bag one (you need to toss it when it is finishes).
For the the storage, I know some brands like Digicabi, Samurai, forspark. But I never use any of them, so I can't recommend anything. I just put my camera and lenses in my bag. So, if you interested to buy, you can it check online.

Is electric silica gel product expensive? Actually, need to check this.

 

[lovitazoe]

Is electric silica gel product expensive? Actually, need to check this.

No, It's affordable.

 

[Jack]

No, It's affordable.

Thanks lovitazoe . I will have to check this on Google. I dont really want to risk my lenses.

 

[lovitazoe]

Thanks lovitazoe . I will have to check this on Google. I dont really want to risk my lenses.

Yes. When I brought it to service center last time, I had to spend $100+ to clean my camera & lenses. And it was 3 years ago.

Prevention is better than cure.

 

[Jack]

Yes. When I brought it to service center last time, I had to spend $100+ to clean my camera & lenses. And it was 3 years ago.

Prevention is better than cure.

Agree, so you saying that having that uv lighting kit in-house is worth it?

 

[lovitazoe]

Agree, so you saying that having that uv lighting kit in-house is worth it?

Yes, if your camera rarely exposed with sunlight and you don't want to deal with fungus. But have to be careful to use the uv light. It can really damage the eyes.

 

[Jack]

Yes, if your camera rarely exposed with sunlight and you don't want to deal with fungus. But have to be careful to use the uv light. It can really damage the eyes.

I'll have to check, maybe comes with glasses too. Thanks for advice.

 

[Jack]

As mentioned before... it's new to me but explainable. We've fungi spores everywhere around us and those spores just need the right conditions to grow. So if you don't handle your lenses with care and it becomes wet and dirty (and maybe the rubber gaskets becomes a little bit brittle) the fungi spores can start to grow inside your lens. In this case you can for sure only contact a professional cleaning service for your lens.

The question is, how wet the area must be in order to fungi start growing? At the moment i keep all my equipment in their manufacture bags.

 

[Jack]

That's fine and you won't get any problems with fungi or dust inside your lens if you keep it there. But sometimes it's raining or your lens drops down and becomes dirty. As most Canon lenses are sealed against dust and humidity you don't have to be unsettled, but other lenses from cheaper brands are not as good sealed as Canon or Nikon lenses and might be more effected by those fungi spores.

Thanks Helix_2648 , I already started to worry about my lenses. I bought all my lenses brand new, and I really trying to take care of them. I also try to not buy other brands of lenses .