Some of you'll must have heard about
this and as far as others are concerned this might seem like a completely new
threat to your precious Camera Lens. People spend a bomb on buying new lenses
and most are never satisfied with a single lens and hence may own multiple lenses.
Journalists, Photographers, etc. you may want to make a note of this. Fungus
can grow on Camera lenses due to various reasons right from the way you store
your Camera to its usage on field. Fungus first starts growing in the lens
barrel feeding off all the accumulated dust particles. This continues to grow
and will appear like a white patch on your lens. Now you would not want
something like this on your expensive camera lens would you?
Here is how you can protect your camera
lens from fungus.
How
to protect your camera lens from fungus
Store in a dry place
Storage is one of the most common reasons
because of which lenses catch Fungus. Store your Camera and its Lenses in a
cool, dry place. If you live in a Humid city like Mumbai then store them in an
airtight container with small bags silica gel. They are usually sold to you
alongside your Camera. They absorb moisture thus protecting your camera equipment.
Remember to periodically change the silica, as it loses effectiveness as it
becomes full of moisture over time. it is important to let your equipment dry
out as much as possible prior to sealing it all up. Fungus will grow on your
lens in less than a week if you expose it to damp, dark, and warm conditions,
so please avoid these at all costs.
Store
your Camera and its Lenses in a cool, dry place.
Use a plastic bag when required
For those who often use their Camera when
it is raining outside, it is advisable to wrap it in a plastic bag before you
step out. This will help moisture from getting inside the camera. It is
advisable to use a Ziploc bag. Post use, dry your camera completely before
storing it.
It is best to not store it in a leather
pouch or bag as fungus can grow quickly and eventually harm the camera.
Use
a plastic bag when required
Quickly remove fungus
If your camera happens to catch Fungus then
you need to act quick. It can secrete acids that can eat away your lens's
protective coating. Few simple mixtures can help you clean the fungus. A
hydrogen peroxide blend with ammonia is a good method, as is a vinegar and
water solution to remedy the fungus problem. Dip a cotton ear bud in the
mixture and try cleaning the fungus with it.
This
is what could happen to your precious camera lens!
Not following any of these quick steps can
result in severe damage to your Camera lens. Eventually, one would have to
dismantle the lens to clean it and this can be quite expensive. This cannot be
done at home and thus you would have to give it to an expert.
