Splotch of Fungus / Miranda 24 mm f2.8

Mnemon · Joined: 03 Oct 2013 Posts: 3

Hej,

I got this one for next to nothing through e-bay - was marked as having a little fungus (which is why it went cheap) - it fills a gap in my lens selection and I am on a budget. I'd really like to get rid of the fungus, of course.

1. How do you figure out if the Fungus is growing on top of the lens (outside) or [as is of course more likely] on the inside? Hard to tell really just by looking at it.

2. I don't mind going at it DIY - but I don't have lens spanner and a fitting plug to open it up. I don't think I will buy additional lenses for a good while (with this one added in I cover most of the range from 24mm up to 300mm with varying primes) - so this really would be a one off operation. Not sure it's worth it buying tools thus [the lens spanner would be more than what I paid for the lens Smile

]? Is there anyone out there, by chance, that has fitting tools and is near Liverpool / Manchester? Would it make sense sending it in somewhere (recommendations)? Any other alternative suggestions how I might have a go at this?

[3. This one was just one of a series of bargain lenses I just grabbed, so even if this takes a while I'll be happy playing with the others. Wheee!]

Thank you,
-Mnemon[url][/url]

Lloydy · Expire: 2022-01-01

Mnemon · Joined: 03 Oct 2013 Posts: 3

Thank you!

Lloydy · Expire: 2022-01-01

At that size and position I would live with it, keep the lens in plenty of sunlight for a while, and dry, and the fungus will die. The UV light kills it.
I've never had a Miranda apart, but I don't imagine it will be difficult to remove the front name ring and the front element then soak the element in cold cream for 30 minutes or so and clean the fungus off. It doesn't look old and established, which is the dangerous thing as then the fungus can etch the glass.

Mnemon · Joined: 03 Oct 2013 Posts: 3

Ok. Put it under a skylight and will leave it there for a few days, for now. Would a UV lamp help / be useful? [I'd guess sunlight has more UV radiation than an 'artificial' source?].

Do have the feeling that it might sit on the top of the lens, or, if not that, likely on the underside of the front element - but as I said it's hard to tell, really. Will probably try cold cream on the lens without opening it up first and see if that helps.

Yes - it's unconspicuous and not that badly placed which is why I pounced when I saw it.

Orio · Expire: 2012-12-04

Fungus will not regress, but if you keep the lens dry, clean, and in a luminous environment, it will not progress either.
I recommend keeping it inside a transparent plastic box, with silica gel inside, and to keep the box in a luminous position inside your house.
That fungus spot, in that position, normally would not affect your photos, but a 24mm lens is very short focal lenght so if you stop down,
it may appear on your photos, if you use a full frame camera.
If your camera is APS-C or smaller, it will never appear in the photos.

Excalibur · Expire: 2014-04-21

Not disagreeing with anyone but when you think about it, and as nothing can live without water, then keeping something dry is most important. Unless someone has seen a report that on opening a tomb in Egypt, it was covered in mushrooms or fungus had destroyed everything non metallic

visualopsins · Expire: 2025-04-11

Orio · Expire: 2012-12-04

guardian · Joined: 18 Mar 2009 Posts: 1749

Well JMHO, but I'm not even certain that splotch on the OP's lens is even fungus. To me it could as easily be a bit of errant helicoid lube.

In any event it does not appear especially serious. Sooner or later a bit of bench time and it can be eradicated, methinks, in a jiffy. Smile

visualopsins · Expire: 2025-04-11