Fungus inside lens

Katie · Nov 10, 2011

I'm in Texas where it's hot as hell - humid in summer - but keep all lenses inside at 76 degrees. I bought a bargain lens for $11 from KEH that looks like a science experiment there's so much fungus. It just got quarantined to bubble wrap and it's own leather bag. Will isolation be enough or should it move to its own room? I have no others infected.

Also - how does air have ph value? I know soil and water does, but that's where it ends for me.

georg16nik · Nov 10, 2011

You can store it in a box/bag that have a small bag full of silica gel and one full with baking soda.
As a precaution You can have the same In Your photo bag.

georg16nik · Nov 10, 2011

Katie said:
Also - how does air have ph value? I know soil and water does, but that's where it ends for me.

The same way as human breath have pH.
Check Your saliva pH with a litmus and You will get the idea.

Rudeofus · Nov 13, 2011

georg16nik said:
Katie said:

Also - how does air have ph value? I know soil and water does, but that's where it ends for me.

Click to expand...

The same way as human breath have pH.
Check Your saliva pH with a litmus and You will get the idea.

Katies question is very valid, just take a look how pH is defined. Based on that definition people started calling anything which might behave like an acid when dissolved in water as "low pH" and anything which could possibly behave caustic as "high pH".

In other words, "low pH breath" and "high pH solids" are nothing but careless use of chemical terminology.

georg16nik · Nov 13, 2011

Rudeofus said:
Katies question is very valid, just take a look how pH is defined. Based on that definition people started calling anything which might behave like an acid when dissolved in water as "low pH" and anything which could possibly behave caustic as "high pH".

In other words, "low pH breath" and "high pH solids" are nothing but careless use of chemical terminology.

It is so nice to have just another quote from Wikipedia
Any practical knowledge outside of the common frame or the so beaten up "standard laboratory conditions"?
I am curious to hear how many people are aware (first hand experience) of basic stuff, like the CO2 concentration of the air inside a lens and what is necessary for H2CO3 ?
Let alone histone clusters, o-orsellinic acid or more esoteric stuff.

Rudeofus · Nov 13, 2011

georg16nik said:
Any practical knowledge outside of the common frame or the so beaten up "standard laboratory conditions"?

This has nothing to do with "standard laboratory conditions". A pH value is defined and meaningful for aqueous solutions, not for CO2 in air, regardless of how chemically experienced you try to appear.

georg16nik said:
I am curious to hear how many people are aware (first hand experience) of basic stuff, like the CO2 concentration of the air inside a lens and what is necessary for H2CO3 ?

In aqueous solution, H2CO3 will form from CO2 which can turn into H3O+ + HCO3-, sometimes even into 2 H3O+ + CO32-. Absent liquid water H2CO3 won't exist, much less the other forms. In aqueous solution these forms act as an acid and you also have a measurable pH value slightly below 7.

In my country that's required learning for a simple high school degree. That's where I also learned what pH values are. Remember: if it's in wikipedia, it's probably not rocket science.

georg16nik · Nov 13, 2011

You are probably too Young or too unexperienced.
high school degree, basic chemistry or wikipedia wont stretch it when it comes to the real life.
Also, somehow You didn't answer my question "CO2 concentration of the air inside a lens". Its part of the optical design for top grade lenses.
Most of the fungus/bacterias issues in optics are due to that basic high school chemistry of the staff workers.
Military specs optics are exception.

Rudeofus · Nov 14, 2011

georg16nik said:
high school degree, basic chemistry or wikipedia wont stretch it when it comes to the real life.

At least it teaches what a pH value is.

georg16nik said:
Also, somehow You didn't answer my question "CO2 concentration of the air inside a lens". Its part of the optical design for top grade lenses.

I am not reporting to you so please keep your ??? attitude to yourself. You provided zero information (neither theoretical nor real life) in your posts except careless chemical lingo and patronizing insults to me and others in order to defend your lingo. Put up or shut up, please.

georg16nik · Nov 14, 2011

One probably needs serious background in bacteriology and/or microbiology to grasp that during winter times or humid climates, most consumer grade lenses happens to experience condensation on the inside, unless they are filled with gas.
pH is characteristic for ionic environments, the concept that pH applies only to aqueous solution is very old school.

Rudeofus · Nov 14, 2011

georg16nik said:
One probably needs serious background in bacteriology and/or microbiology to grasp that during winter times or humid climates, most consumer grade lenses happens to experience condensation on the inside, unless they are filled with gas.

No, all one needs for that is basic high school education. I doubt but still hope your scientific pride derives from more than the knowledge about condensation and relative humidity. Most camera owners, with or without bacteriological expertise, also know how to handle camera equipment, so condensation inside lenses shouldn't occur in practice. If it does regularly, your lenses are toast anyway.

georg16nik said:
pH is characteristic for ionic environments, the concept that pH applies only to aqueous solution is very old school.

Well, you go and teach us the new school then. Since you just enlightened us about condensation inside lenses, you still seem to agree that acids or their precursors need some environment where they dissociate into ions. I stand by my assertion: talking about the pH value of air is BS or careless chemical lingo at best. And since I have seen virtually anything go moldy from soap to lemons, I seriously doubt that the exact pH value has a lot of effect on fungus unless it gets very high or low.

michaelbsc · Nov 14, 2011

A basic high school education?

Not in the US any more. Here a basic high school education basically means you showed up, and you might be able to sign your name.

I would be shocked if 20% of the kids graduating from my location can give you a coherent explanation of pH.

georg16nik · Nov 14, 2011

Hi Michael,
How far went the quest Distiller vs. Reverse Osmosis for You?
I remember we commented on a thread about black spots on Ilford Pan F..
Distilled water is quite in line with the fungus thread.

Rudeofus, there is no way to know for sure how most people treat their cameras, if there are 4 strong pronounced season and so on.
Also, You don't have Your curent location displayed and are not subscriber. 2 signs that photography and cameras are not of interest for You.

Rudeofus · Nov 14, 2011

georg16nik said:
Rudeofus, there is no way to know for sure how most people treat their cameras, if there are 4 strong pronounced season and so on.

Well, those who don't treat their cameras well are prone to see the result of their actions pretty soon.

georg16nik said:
Also, You don't have Your curent location displayed and are not subscriber. 2 signs that photography and cameras are not of interest for You.

Whatever my private details or interests are, they should be of no concern to you. Besides your location and subscriber status you contributed no useful information, not even any signs of real knowledge into this to this thread and your "Michael, old buddy, nice to see you again, we're so cool, aren't we?" bluff won't save your face here. Insults and accusations won't either.

But I can tell you one little secret about me: putting you in my ignore list is a clear sign that You, Your attitude and Your (lack of) knowledge are not of interest for Me. Bye!

michaelbsc · Nov 15, 2011

georg16nik said:
Hi Michael,
How far went the quest Distiller vs. Reverse Osmosis for You?

Not sure that I think this is a diversion.

The truth is that my dad has been quite ill for the past several months, and most of my time that ordinarily goes to photography has been devoted to him.

As for my distilled vs RO decision, I have not purchased either yet. My leaning is toward a very small commercial distilled system - used if I can find one in good shape. One time cost compared to the recurring costs of an RO system is my criteria.

But for the foreseeable future my dad's needs will take priority. Photography is just a hobby, after all.

georg16nik · Nov 15, 2011

Hi Michael,
I hope Your father get well!
In the US You should be able to get small distilled system for ~100$US. As I said in another thread, some colleagues imported their distillers from US a few years ago and that was the price they paid.

Fungus inside lens

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