File :-(, x, )
Lens :( Anonymous
What's that stuff? It looks a bit like snowflakes and seems to be in every inner lens surface.

Could it have condensed to the lens when I brought it in from cold (-5C). Or is it fungus?
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>> Anonymous
     File :-(, x)
It's lupus.
>> sage
I believe it's fungus. My Rokkor 70-210/f4 has that in it too ;_;
>> Anonymous
>>131231

"snowflake" is a classic type of lens fungus. If the lens is not frozen, that's probably fungus. Keep it away from your other lenses lest it spread. You can disassemble it and attempt to clean/disinfect it, but keep in mind that not all lens fungi can be cleaned.
>> Anonymous
Great. Of course I bought it used from a honest-sounding private seller. He claimed that the camera is in fine condition and lenses are clear and fungus-free.

Obviously he cheated, since that kind of stuff is very visible. I will ask my money back and try to return it. Of course there is not much to do if he doesn't want to take it back, except to pass the problem forward to someone else...
>> Anonymous
It's probably fungus, which damages lenses by etching the coatings away with the organism's waste products. Did you just get the lens? If it's uncoated disassembly and cleaning will work out very well. Just make absolutely sure you keep track of what parts go where and which side of the lens each element is supposed to face.
>> Anonymous
Another thing I thought of is balsam separation, where the cement holding lens elements together breaks down. It also has an appearance similar to the lens you have. Either way, your lens is in really bad shape.
>> Anonymous
http://www.badjasmine.com/index.php?key=ucj2srgmi2is5m
>> Anonymous
>>131252

Not OP here.

Are there any specific conditions that causes this or things that can be done to avoid it? Will a shot be able to remove it?
>> Anonymous
>>131271


usually you have to get fungus cleaned professionally, if it can be done at all. You can try cleaning it yourself, but if you miss anything at all, it can grow right back. Also it's apparently almost impossible to clean the spores. Like someone said, it etches the glass, so it needs to be done quick.
>> Anonymous
how does one take apart a lens?
>> Anonymous
>>131281
with a hammer, very carefully.
>> Anonymous
>>131282
FAWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWK. You made my lens break you asshole!
>> Anonymous
>>131286

...lol????????????????????????????
>> Anonymous
That is the worst case of fungus i have ever seen in a lens... bad luck... ebay special was it?
>> Anonymous
If you don't know how to take it apart than don't do it. Pretty much everyone screws up the first lens or camera they disassemble.
>> Fender !Zww61bxsJ.
>>131286
oh lawdy.
>> Anonymous
>>131281
It appears to be an old schneider-kreusenak. It's relatively easy to unscrew the front and back lenses on those lenses. Cleaning away ALL fungus from the innards isn't. Take it to a pro and pray that the fungus hasn't eaten the glass.
>> Anonymous
>>131317

I see no problem with disassembling a bunk lens that's fit for the dumpster anyway. You've got to start somewhere, and a worthless lens is a good a place as any.
>> Anonymous
Shoot with it. You'll get nice snowy patterns on your pictures. Instant-art.
>> Anonymous
>>131406
Also make certain that it comes into contact with your other lenses so that they too will have a snowy look. Especially Canon ones.
>> Anonymous
>>131271Are there any specific conditions that causes this or things that can be done to avoid it?
>> Blackadder !!bSWRwu/NqzQ
Keep your lenses out of damp and cold areas. Allow them to get a little sun now and then. Storage in the cold damp garages, basements and attics tends to be where the worst fungal damage happens to cameras and lenses.

If you see a little, treat it quickly. Don't let it spread all through it and send spores everywhere. If you aren't storing them away and forgetting about them then you should be looking at, cleaning and handling them all the time anyway.