Fungus in lenses

sam-joseph
Posted 10/09/2010 - 11:40 Link
WooHoo! I just 'Won" a Pentax-A 35-105 f3.5 on ebay for AUD$10 (about 4 quid). The bad news is, it apparently has some fungus in the front element. I've read that Hydrogen Peroxide is a good remedy. As I'm mechanically inclined (I'm a Fitter & Turner by trade), I'm not scared to take it apart to try to revive it. Is that the best fix? Does anyone have any other ideas?
Regards
Sam-Joseph
Pentax K7, Sigma 17-70 f2.8-4.5, Sigma 70-200 f2.8 APO EX, Sigma 70-300 APO, Sigma 1.4x TC, Vivitar 2x TC. Takumar 135mm f2.5, SMC Pentax A 50mm 1:1.7, SMC Pentax -M 1:4 200mm, Pentax X70
Dangermouse
Posted 10/09/2010 - 12:43 Link
Personally I've used white vinegar or normal optical cleaning spray successfully to remove fungus, just dunk a cotton bud in either and swab the fungus away.
Matt

Shooting the Welsh Wilderness with K-m, KX, MX, ME Super and assorted lenses.
sam-joseph
Posted 10/09/2010 - 13:00 Link
Thanks for the tip, Matt. I can't wait to get my hands on the lens to see if I can bring it back to life.
Regards
Sam-Joseph
Pentax K7, Sigma 17-70 f2.8-4.5, Sigma 70-200 f2.8 APO EX, Sigma 70-300 APO, Sigma 1.4x TC, Vivitar 2x TC. Takumar 135mm f2.5, SMC Pentax A 50mm 1:1.7, SMC Pentax -M 1:4 200mm, Pentax X70
techno-terminator
Posted 10/09/2010 - 13:03 Link
There was a very recent thread about this and IIRC, someone said that cold cream worked just as well for fungus removal !!
let the education continue

proud owner of a couple of cameras and a few bits and bobs
jackitec
Posted 10/09/2010 - 13:10 Link
Peroxide and ammonia 50-50, leave the glass in a bowl submerged for about 10 mins, clean as normal, done loads this way.

Jack.
doingthebobs
Posted 10/09/2010 - 14:10 Link
Any ideas on how the remove the fungus from between cemented elements?
Bob
TOZZA27
Posted 10/09/2010 - 14:14 Link
I bought a 5uper Tak 1.4 50mm a few weeks ago and apart from leaving it in the rays of the sun when I am not using it , I really do not intend to "fiddle" any more with it.
There is NO noticeable deterioration in the quality of the photos taken and therefore it seems silly to start messing around with a quality lens that cost me less than £30 with a Spotmatic SP in great nick,strap,clip on flash shoe,two lightmeters and a Voigtlander rangefinder in leather case ( one just gone for £25 on the Bay.
Many other PUF contributors have spoken previously on this subject - if you have a root around the site you will find them very informative.

Regards

Tony
K20D,*istD ( now a dedicated M42 digital ),K100D,MZ5N,P50,ME Super,Spotmatic 1000,Spotmatic,ESII,ES,H2.18-55 II,18-55,75-300 FAJ,35-80 FA,80-200 F,28-105 FA,Sigma 24-70 AF Aspherical,Sigma 28-300 Hyperzoom , Praotor II 500 M42,Centon 500mm mirror,and a few Pentax M42 Taks,super-Taks,smc Taks,A and M lenses.Benbo trekker,7dayshop monopod and a Lowepro rucksack.

I am now on Flickr which is nice !
Posted 10/09/2010 - 19:49 Link
doingthebobs wrote:
Any ideas on how the remove the fungus from between cemented elements?
No chance! Unless you have a hermatically sealed lab with no dust, the right cement and equipment to ensure the glass will be re-cemented deadly accurately........

Point one might be okay for me, my brother in law works in a similar lab for AstraZenica. Not got the other bits though.....
Some Cameras
Edited by Offertonhatter: 10/09/2010 - 19:50
El Dingo
Posted 11/09/2010 - 18:22 Link
Someone suggested Windowlene in another thread...
El Dingo - K3-II and K10D

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