Lens cleaning (internal)

Well if it helps the shop I'm thinking of is Clives Cameras, 158 Victoria Road, Scarborough. So not too far if you think it might be worth it. (You can usually park more or less outside but make sure you get a parking disc to save getting a ticket!)

He concentrates on old film camera lenses - he'll either have a dabble himself or know someone! He's sorted out some mount issues with a similar Tokina lens (80-200 f2.8 ) for me but not a full blown clean up job like that needs.

The shop is an Aladdin's cave so well worth a visit. I can't think of a comparable shop in York but that isn't to say there isn't one!

If it helps I could pop in and ask him what he thinks first to save you a wasted journey, unless you get somewhere with your local dealer.

John

Well, the shop in York just gave me the average lens cleaning cost (£80+ VAT - though 'average' to me sounds more like cleaning dust out..), but also said most repairers would want to replace the infected glass, which wouldn't be possible due to the age. Either way the work isn't done there I don't think.

If you happen to be in there it would be kind of you to ask, but don't go out of your way! Sounds like I'll have to pay a visit when I'm up that way to have a poke around..

I was given a 50mm. f1.4 SMC Takumar which unfortunately had a lot of fungus inside. I sent it to Michael Spencer of 130a Main Street, Clay Cross, Derbyshire S45 9EE. (camerarepairs-r-us.co.uk).

He has about half a century of experience in this field and he did a first class job of cleaning, disinfecting and recollimating the lens for only £20. Give him a try.

The glass isn't "infected" - most lenses will have fungal spores on them, this one just happens to have some that have grown! Depending on the lens coatings and the type of fungus, they might clean right off, or they may have caused some damage to the coating. Even the latter isn't necessarily a death sentence for the lens - light damage will mainly just lower the contrast of the lens slightly. Even heavier damage may still have a surprisingly small effect on the optical quality.

I must admit I bought a 1.4 Tak M42 from ebay a year or so ago for under £25 with "some fungus" and was going to clean it,but then read - on here I think - that sunlight was the best way to alleviate the problem - so it is kept always in direct sunlight when not in use - and when there is any - and I must admit it has never affected ANY of my photgraphs taken with it on the *istD with adapter.

Obviously just my opinion

Tony

I passed the shop today but looks as if he had popped out but I'll try again - I want to get a couple of lens hoods so it won't be a special visit.

John

I think the danger could be that if the fungus is still alive, spores could enter the camera and damage that and also infect lenses installed afterwards. However if you've killed the infection with the UV light then hopefully all will be well. Still best to be careful though.

John

Hi John - fair comment and information absorbed - the lens actually sits away from the camera when not in use on its rear cap with just the front elements open to the UV.
I would ask how the spores would be able to get through the lens glass/optics into the camera though ?

regards

Tony

From what I've heard fungal spores are EVERYWHERE i.e. there are already spores in the camera.
Infected lenses will have higher concentrations of spores it's true but the important point is to make sure the conditions are not right for the spores to take hold & grow. Keeping the lens dry & well aired goes a long way towards this - a little UV helps too (perhaps).

How very dare you !!!!! Are you suggesting that I`ve got fungal spores ???
I`ll have you know I bathe every last Friday of the month even if I don`t need to !!!

Cheek

Tony

But do yo dry yourself properly?

Bernard

How very dare YOU too - obviously some bits are air dried but I can reach most of the nooks & crannies perfectly well with my lens cloth and golf towel...........................

Disgraceful

Wirral

Sorry I went a bit quiet on this - things got a bit hectic with a move at short notice so I've not been around!

Thanks for the info, particularly regarding storage - least I won't have to build a vault to keep the thing in . Think I've just about got over the thought of fungal spores being everywhere..

Do not worry about fungal spores infecting any other equipment. There's a lot of rubbish spouted about fungus in lenses and 'infecting' other items. The fact is that the old style leather cases that lenses were kept in were a breeding ground for fungus, especially if lenses were put away damp, or stored in slightly damp conditions. Spores are everywhere but they will only grow if the conditions allow.

If you can clean out the fungus by dismantling the lens and removing it from all surfaces, it will never grow back unless you leave the lens in conditions which allow it to grow. Keep it in a dry atmosphere and it cannot grow. Best thing is to use it regularly but not in the rain!

You may or may not be capable of dismantling and cleaning the lens yourself. I have successfully cleaned and re-assembled 2 Takumar lenses that were riddled with fungus, both are now perfect. I have ruined one which I could not re-assemble.

As you have got the lens for 'free' it must be worth a try, but be warned that zooms are very tricky - primes are much easier to take apart and put back together.

Regards
David