100-400ii L Front Elements?

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JDP

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Hi Folks,
Long time no speak.
I have had to put my camera down for a little bit due to work. A few months ago I put the camera away, clean, using lens cleaning solution.
I look at the lens today and I notice this crap on the glass, I have always used clean micro-fibre cloths, I have never had any scratches on it. I always clean the gear after every shoot, especially if I have been out in bad weather...

Does this look like I need a new front element? I have tried the solution again to remove it, no avail...

Anyway, anyone seen this before, and what was the outcome?

Many Thanks,
 

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It looks like fungus to me, most probably on the inside of the front element if it isn't shifting when you try cleaning it off externally. Not sure I would personally try a disassembly and cleaning as alignment of modern lenses elements can very easily be ruined.
From this pic it doesn't look advanced enough to have etched the glass (could be wrong as the pic might not show the full extent of the issue) so I doubt you need a new front element but it does need cleaned/ sorted by someone with the correct tools and knowhow asap before it gets worse and or spreads.
 
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RyanB said:
It looks like fungus to me, most probably on the inside of the front element if it isn't shifting when you try cleaning it off externally. Not sure I would personally try a disassembly and cleaning as alignment of modern lenses elements can very easily be ruined.
From this pic it doesn't look advanced enough to have etched the glass (could be wrong as the pic might not show the full extent of the issue) so I doubt you need a new front element but it does need cleaned/ sorted by someone with the correct tools and knowhow asap before it gets worse and or spreads.
Click to expand...

Thanks mate. I thought that too but I wasn't sure. I did so much googling trying to compare - so I am pleased someone else came to the conclusion!
I am gutted, I really cant bring myself to use the absolute diabolical 200-800 I mistakenly bought. But I want to go and do some photography! lol.

Maybe this is the sign to move camera brands. I have been thinking about it since I spent a month in the Massai using the Z8! - try to revitalise my enjoyment of photography, learning something new.
 
I'd be more concerned how the fungus appeared. Is the bag it was in now something to consider as "infected"?
 
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hunnymonster said:
I'd be more concerned how the fungus appeared. Is the bag it was in now something to consider as "infected"?
Click to expand...
Unless you live in a clean room the air around you is full of fungus spores, the problem is humidity and warmth in the bag after being out in bad weather. Your kit might 'look' dry but a little moisture in an enclosed space like a camera bag is all it takes for a random spore to take root.
I tend to keep a couple desiccant bags in my camera bags to combat the humidity and if I have used kit in the rain I take everything out of the bag, wipe it all down and then let it air dry for a while before I put it back away.
 
Apologies for the delay. I was away from the computer.

I am thinking it must have happened when I was on the Isle of Mull in June. I did rent out the RF 100-300 but I had a fall on day 1 and I couldn't lift the lens after so I reverted back to the 100-400. Being Scotland it was p***ing it down. I genuinely thought I dried and cleaned it up enough.

That's what I am worried about. My other lenses appear to be fine, but the 100-400 is out of the bag and sitting on top of my snake vivariums to see if the residual heat will help kill it.. no luck so far.

Good point Ryan, i do have 3 - 4 in my bag, but I just dont think it was enough. I just don't think I let it dry enough! Stupid mistake. I am going to get more of those desiccant bags i think, half desiccant half camera gear.... sorted.


... I'd still rather use this screwed lens than the 200-800!!!
 
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This could possible have been avoided if stored with silica bags in a plastic bag with most of the air squeezed out as much as possible, Too late now I know but a thought for the future
what I use is a Peli case that is sealed when shut and littered with silica sachets

peli.JPG
 
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James if thinking about changing brands maybe do what i did and went for the Panasonic G9 and later added the G9ii. said goodbye to Nikons which I have had for umpteen years and not looked back Micro four third lenses are lighter than FF ones to start with and add dual image stablisation and your on a winner. As your on the south Coast I am not far from Bexhill on sea. So if you want to pop over and have a look your most welcome
 
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JDP said:
Apologies for the delay. I was away from the computer.

I am thinking it must have happened when I was on the Isle of Mull in June. I did rent out the RF 100-300 but I had a fall on day 1 and I couldn't lift the lens after so I reverted back to the 100-400. Being Scotland it was p***ing it down. I genuinely thought I dried and cleaned it up enough.

That's what I am worried about. My other lenses appear to be fine, but the 100-400 is out of the bag and sitting on top of my snake vivariums to see if the residual heat will help kill it.. no luck so far.

Good point Ryan, i do have 3 - 4 in my bag, but I just dont think it was enough. I just don't think I let it dry enough! Stupid mistake. I am going to get more of those desiccant bags i think, half desiccant half camera gear.... sorted.


... I'd still rather use this screwed lens than the 200-800!!!
Click to expand...
The heat won't kill it but blasting it for a a while with UV or a week of bright sun should kill it and halt growth. It wont remove what's already there but it shouldn't get worse and potentially start etching the coatings while it awaits a cleaning.
I picked up a UV lamp on a gooseneck/ clip for such a job, its a bit weak (@5W) for that purpose but I put it a cupboard so stray UV light isn't harming my eyes and run it for around 2-3 weeks. I treated my nFD 85/1.2L I picked up with minor fungus and it hasn't spread at all since.
 
realspeed said:
This could possible have been avoided if stored with silica bags in a plastic bag with most of the air squeezed out as much as possible, Too late now I know but a thought for the future
what I use is a Peli case that is sealed when shut and littered with silica sachets
Click to expand...
Oh yeah, without a doubt. I genuinely thought I had enough - I am looking at my storage solutions now. As I just have it stored in my camera bag until I am ready to use.

Your pelican setup is quite awesome, I have always looked into getting one but never did it, but I think it might be time - but I will absolutely buy more sillica bags and plastic zip lock bag as part of the support kit I take on trips with me!
Thank you!

Also, thanks for the offer, I am based in Worthing, so not too far. However I think I am swaying to shamefully Sony, I really like their affordable 400 & 600 primes they've just released. But I haven't made the choice yet. I have M43 Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II for macro photography, completely overkill I dont use half the camera! But it's great and light in comparison to the R5 and paired lenses. I just want something so different to Canon which is why Sony has my vote - apparently the menus are crap, bring it on! lol
 
RyanB said:
The heat won't kill it but blasting it for a a while with UV or a week of bright sun should kill it and halt growth. It wont remove what's already there but it shouldn't get worse and potentially start etching the coatings while it awaits a cleaning.
I picked up a UV lamp on a gooseneck/ clip for such a job, its a bit weak (@5W) for that purpose but I put it a cupboard so stray UV light isn't harming my eyes and run it for around 2-3 weeks. I treated my nFD 85/1.2L I picked up with minor fungus and it hasn't spread at all since.
Click to expand...

Fair enough, I have heard the bright sunlight can kill it so it's also getting direct sunlight so will see what happens. I have some UV lights from growing bromeliads in frog enclosures so I will give that a try too, thank you! Glad it hasn't spread, did it leave any permanent marks at all?
 
JDP said:
Glad it hasn't spread, did it leave any permanent marks at all?
Click to expand...
Not sure if they are permanent but it's a very complicated lens to work on and as the fungus was very minor and on an outer edge so it doesn't affect IQ. I only paid £100 for it but sending it off to be properly repaired would probably make it as expensive as a mint version and would have no guarantee it didn't come back clean but with etching marks so I just use it as is.
One of my favourite pieces of glass actually.
 
James
What really put me off Sony, not the cameras but the AX53 camcorder I stupidly bought believing all the "hype" around stability. A load of BS . No independent control on anything,more like a point and shoot cheap camera. So back to Panasonic and the fantastic HC-X1500 with top handle, a proper "pro " camcorder
 
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