Fungus on 18-200 VR

[crusher]

I think I got some fungus inside my 18-200VR, bought it only for 9 months. It is only a small bit right now on the edge, doesn't affect image quality. Question now is will it spread if I don't send it for cleaning? Was quoted $180 by Nikon Service Centre for cleaning the lens, is it worth it? Or should I use the money to buy a dry cabinet instead?

[Die Hard]

Originally Posted by crusher I think I got some fungus inside my 18-200VR, bought it only for 9 months. It is only a small bit right now on the edge, doesn't affect image quality. Question now is will it spread if I don't send it for cleaning? Was quoted $180 by Nikon Service Centre for cleaning the lens, is it worth it? Or should I use the money to buy a dry cabinet instead?

Dry Cabinet is a "MUST" u better send in the lens if not it will get "Bigger" that you have to change the element Then you have to pay more

[giantcanopy]

Originally Posted by crusher I think I got some fungus inside my 18-200VR, bought it only for 9 months. It is only a small bit right now on the edge, doesn't affect image quality. Question now is will it spread if I don't send it for cleaning? Was quoted $180 by Nikon Service Centre for cleaning the lens, is it worth it? Or should I use the money to buy a dry cabinet instead?

Yes it can spread.

Worth it or not is subjective. But price of an 18-200mm is more than a thousand, to me i think it is!

Now we know there are spores everywhere ... but i am sure you dun feel easy co-housing with a fungus infested lens in a (new) dry cabi along with other items ?

Ryan

[blackdrakes]

Fungus lens -> Outside dry cabi, Inside a camera bag with silica gel.
Clean lens-> Inside dry cabi.

[Lmodel]

These are 2 seperate issues.

Firstly, Dry Cabinet is a MUST-HAVE for any photographic equipments. That said, even if you manage to get NSC to clean the fungus, chances are the fungus will return within a month or two. Weather in Singapore is extremely humid and you'll defintely (I say again, DEFINTELY) need a dry cabinet to store your equipments.

On the next issue, though they may not have affected your quality, I'd suggest that you have it cleared up. Why? Imagine going for a trip (e.g. asia) and you've no dry cabinet, the fungus will spread to other areas and multiply at an alarming rate.

In the first place, all this would not have happened if you've got yourself a dry cabinet. Now, you've got to spend extra money to clear the fungus and still, got to get yourself a dry cabinet. Nevertheless, it is part of the learning process. I'm sure this is a very steep learning curve that you've learnt.

Cheers

[zaren]

better to get the lens cleaned and store it in a dry cabinet from now on.

[chanxj]

Hmm, Nikon not covering it under their warranty terms? There should have been some form of fungus protection coating on the lens i think.

[crusher]

Guess what? I just saw a insect crawling inside my lens!!! Think I will send my lens NSC for cleaning tomorrow. Is fatigue still doing lens cleaning for people?

By the way, where to get cheap dry cabinet?

[rayteong]

Wow crawling inside! Think better for you to send for cleaning and make sure when you collect the lens, check that it's thoroughly cleaned else tell them about it. The fungus will spread so better to take all the necessary pre-cautions as per advised by the members here. As for dry cabinet you have to go for a better one too not those plastic types. And plan for the future if possible, else wait end up too small can't store much things you have to get another one. I myself got hit by the fungus on my 80-200mm f/2.8 lens. It's a painful process, imagine to clean it cost $1000+. Gosh!

[Benng]

Originally Posted by crusher Guess what? I just saw a insect crawling inside my lens!!! Think I will send my lens NSC for cleaning tomorrow. Is fatigue still doing lens cleaning for people? By the way, where to get cheap dry cabinet?

You can check out this website: http://www.digihub.com.sg/

[blive]

Question you need to ask is, why did fungus appear on your lens after 9 months? What did you do with it, or didn't do such that fungus grow in it? I had the 18-200mm lens and other kits lenses too, and I never had fungus. My 18-200mm lens is almost always on my camera and not ever in my dry cabinet and I just leave it in my bag, bring it out for shooting on weekends. My rooms are not air-conditioned either.

I am not saying that dry cabinet is not important. in fact, its important to have a dry cabinet in Singapore due to the high humidity. All my other equipments and stuff are in the dry cabinet.

[geraldkhoo]

Originally Posted by blive Question you need to ask is, why did fungus appear on your lens after 9 months? What did you do with it, or didn't do such that fungus grow in it? I had the 18-200mm lens and other kits lenses too, and I never had fungus. My 18-200mm lens is almost always on my camera and not ever in my dry cabinet and I just leave it in my bag, bring it out for shooting on weekends. My rooms are not air-conditioned either. I am not saying that dry cabinet is not important. in fact, its important to have a dry cabinet in Singapore due to the high humidity. All my other equipments and stuff are in the dry cabinet.

If you are constantly using the camera and lens, fungus would not grow, because they need a humid and dark place to grow. Most probably, TS did not use the lens for a period of time.

[catchlights]

Originally Posted by Lmodel These are 2 seperate issues. Firstly, Dry Cabinet is a MUST-HAVE for any photographic equipments. That said, even if you manage to get NSC to clean the fungus, chances are the fungus will return within a month or two. Weather in Singapore is extremely humid and you'll defintely (I say again, DEFINTELY) need a dry cabinet to store your equipments. On the next issue, though they may not have affected your quality, I'd suggest that you have it cleared up. Why? Imagine going for a trip (e.g. asia) and you've no dry cabinet, the fungus will spread to other areas and multiply at an alarming rate. In the first place, all this would not have happened if you've got yourself a dry cabinet. Now, you've got to spend extra money to clear the fungus and still, got to get yourself a dry cabinet. Nevertheless, it is part of the learning process. I'm sure this is a very steep learning curve that you've learnt. Cheers

Yes, is two issues.

A $180 reminder for you to get a dry cabinet as soonest as possible.

[hermes129]

Originally Posted by crusher I think I got some fungus inside my 18-200VR, bought it only for 9 months. It is only a small bit right now on the edge, doesn't affect image quality. Question now is will it spread if I don't send it for cleaning? Was quoted $180 by Nikon Service Centre for cleaning the lens, is it worth it? Or should I use the money to buy a dry cabinet instead?

Hi crusher,

Just to share with you where I got my dry cabinet, a Value brand 68L. Maybe you will like to have a look.

The link is www.rodex.com/estore

[chanjyj]

Originally Posted by Lmodel These are 2 seperate issues. Firstly, Dry Cabinet is a MUST-HAVE for any photographic equipments. That said, even if you manage to get NSC to clean the fungus, chances are the fungus will return within a month or two. Weather in Singapore is extremely humid and you'll defintely (I say again, DEFINTELY) need a dry cabinet to store your equipments. On the next issue, though they may not have affected your quality, I'd suggest that you have it cleared up. Why? Imagine going for a trip (e.g. asia) and you've no dry cabinet, the fungus will spread to other areas and multiply at an alarming rate. In the first place, all this would not have happened if you've got yourself a dry cabinet. Now, you've got to spend extra money to clear the fungus and still, got to get yourself a dry cabinet. Nevertheless, it is part of the learning process. I'm sure this is a very steep learning curve that you've learnt. Cheers

Have to disagree that a dry cabinet is a must have. I have not used a dry cabinet since the film era and everything is still intact, with the exception of one lens (which I have to admit, got wacked by saltwater).

Only recently did a buy a dry cabinet to "try try".

I think that as long as you use your cameras and lenses frequently, do not store them in the camera bag and don't subject to extreme stuff (like I do), they will be safe.

N.B. While I do not agree that a dry cabinet is necessary, I am not saying that it will not be a benefit.

[fatigue]

For those who have not read this information...

From Nikon Knowledge Database:

How does a fungus grow in a lens?

Fungus is a parasitic spore that travels in the air and can enter and settle inside cameras and lenses, which are not airtight. Its growth is encouraged by humidity, high temperatures, and environments that are dark and unventilated.

How can I prevent fungus from growing in my lens?

The possibility of fungus growth can be minimized by storing the equipment in well-lit and well-ventilated environments with moderate temperatures and low humidity. We recommend removing equipment from carrying cases during storage and not storing cameras or lenses with clothing.

Should fungus growth occur what does Nikon do to repair/clean the lens?

In general, Nikon Repair Technicians can clean fungus from lenses if the growth hasn’t become well-established. There is no set repair price because sometimes only a simple external cleaning will do the job. However, internal fungus growth requires disassembly and possibly the replacement of some parts. Additionally, since fungus secretes acids that can etch glass, a lens element may be ruined even if the fungus itself can be cleaned away. The only solution for this is to replace the element, which can be expensive.

[Die Hard]

Originally Posted by fatigue For those who have not read this information... From Nikon Knowledge Database: How does a fungus grow in a lens? Fungus is a parasitic spore that travels in the air and can enter and settle inside cameras and lenses, which are not airtight. Its growth is encouraged by humidity, high temperatures, and environments that are dark and unventilated. How can I prevent fungus from growing in my lens? The possibility of fungus growth can be minimized by storing the equipment in well-lit and well-ventilated environments with moderate temperatures and low humidity. We recommend removing equipment from carrying cases during storage and not storing cameras or lenses with clothing. Should fungus growth occur what does Nikon do to repair/clean the lens? In general, Nikon Repair Technicians can clean fungus from lenses if the growth hasn’t become well-established. There is no set repair price because sometimes only a simple external cleaning will do the job. However, internal fungus growth requires disassembly and possibly the replacement of some parts. Additionally, since fungus secretes acids that can etch glass, a lens element may be ruined even if the fungus itself can be cleaned away. The only solution for this is to replace the element, which can be expensive.

I totally agree with what you say

[Lmodel]

Originally Posted by chanjyj Have to disagree that a dry cabinet is a must have. I have not used a dry cabinet since the film era and everything is still intact, with the exception of one lens (which I have to admit, got wacked by saltwater). Only recently did a buy a dry cabinet to "try try". I think that as long as you use your cameras and lenses frequently, do not store them in the camera bag and don't subject to extreme stuff (like I do), they will be safe. N.B. While I do not agree that a dry cabinet is necessary, I am not saying that it will not be a benefit.

I respect your opinion but here is why I mentioned it as a "MUST-HAVE" (at least for me).

I believe many has more than one lenses to begin with and shoot only when available. In the event of work or other form of commitments, the equipment will be "sleeping" for at least a month or two. Therefore, why take the unnecessary risks when having a dry-cabinet solves the problem.

Furthermore, the price of a dry cabinet is relatively insignificant, in contrast to the equipments.

Cheers!

[catchlights]

don't assume all photographers do use their camera so frequently, and not all photographers has a room with air con turn on more than 8 hours a day.

to buy a smaller dry cabinet @$100, will definitely cheaper than to send a lens for fungus cleaning @ $180.00, and he will sleep better at night too.

rather to be safe than sorry.

btw, I shoot almost alternate day, and I do use a 100L dry cabinet at the same time.

[nemesis32]

Actually air-con room is worse for fungus as when you off the aircon, thats when the moisture in the room condenses. Usually, after shooting, best to air the camera is some where shady and windy (i.e. living room table etc) then put into the Drybox, cabinet. At least thats how i would do it.