Hi all,

After my recent successful attempt at removing fungus from an old lens, I went an checked all my other lenses to see if they had any infections and unfortunately they do.

I found it in four including my CZJ 28-200 and my favorite pentax 50mm 1.7. Now both of these lenses are relatively old so whilst I was dissapointed I wasn't supprised. The one that really shocked me was finding it in my sigma 55-200 1:4-5.6 DC.

This Lens is less than 2 years old, has seen regular use, is not stored with any of the other infected lenses and now has fungus! in fact it lives with the 18-55 kit which doesnt have any fungus. So I dont quite understand how it got it in such short time (I am aware that these spores are everywere but how or what made it germinate so quickly?)

The only thing I can put it down to is the humidity over here, ie extra moisture to feed the spores.

So bearing in mind that I have recently bought some new and relatively more expesive lenses (the samsung 100mm macro for starters) does anyone have any ideas on how to store lenses in humid conditions? and avoid or reduce this for my newer lenses?

I was thinking of a clear plastic box (to allow the light in) with a clip on lid (to seal out the majority of the moisture) and several moisture absorbing bags?

Any suggestions will be apreciated

Regards
PaulM

Well done Hyram and thanks to Prieni for the swift posting of the results.

Yeah its lit by one compact flourescent lamp with a opaque diffuser and it isn't very bright.

We have had to take them off cause my eldest son, (who wakes before we do) turned them on when a pan was left on the ring with a palstic spoon in it. We woke up to a house full of black smoke we swiftly removed them.

Its an old house with no isolator to cut the power

Regards
PaulM

Hi Ken,

I never got down to the iris, but I would follow Matts advice and use lighter fluid and work it until it became free / loose.

Regards
PaulM

Thanks Mike, I did try to pull it back using curves but I was nowhere near as successful as you. Can you tell me what you did?

Trained Spiders, If I could do that I would be working in Hollywood.

Thats interesting, I have never tried to take pictures of anything dead or actually thought about it. I enjoy the challenge of chasing these little blighters around and trying to get the shot (Well I do when I get the shot, otherwise its a PITA)

Regards
PaulM

Dont you mean Tesco Value reflector LOL

Regards
PaulM

Washing up

[IMG]http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb113/pnjmcc/washingup.jpg[/IMG]

Pentax K200D
18 - 55 kit lens @ 45
30 Secs @ f22 and ISO 200

PaulM

Following on from my fungus cleaning thread here in which I promised to post up pics of the lens so here you are

As you can see the fungus that was on the front element has been completely removed.
[IMG]http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb113/pnjmcc/super-tak-1.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb113/pnjmcc/super-tak-2.jpg[/IMG]

It is a very clean and tidy lens with no signs of wear and came complete with a Pentax filter, both caps and its original carry case. Much better condition than the 55 f2 and the SP500 that all came with it.

Regards
PaulM

No.4 is very good shot, the timing is just right for the light, keeping the snow white(ish), getting the light trails without the cars and the graduation of white headlights to red brake lights.

Althought I do like no.5. for me it tells a tale and I can almost hear the driver swearing as he realises he's over-cooked it and it begins to swaps ends.

Good pics

Regards
PaulM

I like that Kris,

It looks like a page from a Calender

My only comment would be about the Teazel in the top R/H corner is a little distracting but only because it looks too dark against the light blue sky.

Regards
PaulM
PS I can see any purple fringing

Everything always runs away when I point my macro set up at it.

So there I was chasing this poor little jumping spider around the house the other night when it suddenly stopped and turned back as if to look at me ! and I managed to get these two shots

[IMG]http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb113/pnjmcc/Spider1-web-res.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb113/pnjmcc/Spider2---web-res.jpg[/IMG]

K200D and SMC - 50mm Macro on the 12+32 extention tubes with the samsung flash and a homemade milk bottle + tinfoil diffuser. It was a little over exposed so I have tried to bring it back in PS and I think the second came out better than the first

C+Cs welcome

Regards
PaulM