Minolta 110 Zoom SLR Mark II

Ten301 · Jun 26, 2024

Hello! I have a Minolta 110 Zoom SLR Mark II that is in otherwise ‘like new’ cosmetic and operating condition. The frustrating problem is there seems to be what looks like some fungus just behind the very front element of the lens, around the edge of the element, but also some in the center. All the other elements look clear.

I can’t see any way to remove the front section of the lens to get to it. Does anyone have any experience with this camera or advice?

Thank you!

xkaes · Jun 26, 2024

If you can see the "fungus" and you are sure it's fungus, you are asking for trouble if you keep it. If it's that obvious, it's not worth trying to repair it, and these cameras are easy to find and not that expensive.

Ten301 · Jun 26, 2024

xkaes said:
If you can see the "fungus" and you are sure it's fungus, you are asking for trouble if you keep it. If it's that obvious, it's not worth trying to repair it, and these cameras are easy to find and not that expensive.

Thanks for your reply. That’s just it…it doesn’t really look like the “spidery” lens fungus I’ve seen online. Granted, I guess there could be various types and appearances. It looks more like a dried residue, like when car paste wax dries before you wipe it off. There’s not a lot, and the camera has been unused in my possession for about 5 years, stored in a ziploc bag with silica gel packets. There doesn’t seem to have been any progression or change in appearance of the “fungus” in those 5 years.

Paul Howell · Jun 26, 2024

When you last shot with it, were the negative unusable?

Ten301 · Jun 27, 2024

Paul Howell said:
When you last shot with it, were the negative unusable?

I’ve never used the camera. It was passed down to me about 5 years with the lens like that. As developing is on the expensive side, and since it does have the good sized spot in the center of the lens, I wanted to try to get it out before I use the camera.

xkaes · Jun 27, 2024

Unless you're familiar with camera/lens repair, you're asking for trouble. If you could upload a picture that might help. As to processing, how were you planning on using the camera -- buying new cassettes loaded with film and having a shop process it -- or doing it all yourself?

It's a nice camera, and if you really want to keep it, you can easily check it out with one roll of film. If the results are good enough, no problem.

xya · Jun 27, 2024

Yes, a photo would be helpful. Could also be lens separation. And have you tested the image quality? Sometimes faulty lenses could be quite OK. I had a Zeiss lens had that nearly a third of the lens affected, see https://www.a7camera.com/leitz_50.htm second half of the page.

UnderwoodPhoto · Sep 26, 2024

Looks like a haze but not. I have 2 of these. Both purchased new (at the camera shop I was working at) and they looked the same then as now, no difference I can see or remember. If you can find the film, enjoy.

Minolta 110 Zoom SLR Mark II

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