Coating problem, fungus? what is it?

[Ginette]

I'm not a specialist of lens defaults but what is this? A coating problem, fungus?
I didn't try to clean it, just want to know what is it before?
This is on the front of a Pentax 67 lens.
Thanks for the identification.

[Nathan Potter]

Looks like dendritic fungus growth to me. Has progressed from the edge of the glass front achromat between the cemented pair toward the lens interior. The haze along the edge of the dendrites may be an interference pattern.

Nate Potter, Austin TX.

[Ginette]

Thanks for the fast answer Nathan. I just received this lens so I will send it back. I just don't have any knowledge to handle this.
Look at first like a big fingerprint in the lens but looking closer with light, I saw the weird reticulation pattern.

[Leigh]

Yep, it's fungus, which makes long squiggly lines radiating (usually) from a common point.

Put it in a zip-lock freezer bag and put it well away from any other photo gear, like at the other end of the basement.
Fungus is contagious. Left in the open air, that lens will infect others.

- Leigh

[Ginette]

Yes thanks Leigh. I throw the original box with lining in the garbage, put the lens in a new box, ziplok it and put in a second box and wait the refund to send it back.

[Alan Gales]

Unfortunately, I've seen it before. It's fungus.

[ic-racer]

Just clean it off. It either leaves a permanent mark or not. You are not in control of what has already happened. If fungus, no need to be paranoid; the spores are everywhere, including your body. Just be sure to keep all gear in a location where spores don't germinate. For example avoid storage in a dark humid basement, etc.

[John Koehrer]

Unless you got a SUPER deal don't bother messing with it.
Return it and be done.

[civich]

I wonder if pentax 67 lenses have a particular susceptibility to fungus. I also have several of these lenses which developed severe fungal growth on the glass. None of my other lenses of different manufacture which lived in close proximity to the 67 lenses had any problem whatsoever. Perhaps a specific coating formulation which pentax used is to blame. -Chris

[hoffner]

Different glass types can have different readiness for fungus attack. Coatings don't have any different effect on it. Light is not necessary for fungus growth.
In your case the Pentax lenses probably had a different history and dirt coatings than the rest of your collection.
You can read to your heart's delight about "glass fungus" or "fungus on glass" googling those terms. And it's good stuff, even scientific studies.

[Michael Kadillak]

Advice I received from John at FocalPoint in Colorado after having had several large format lenses cleaned by him for the fungus (or the adverse effects of moisture that gets trapper internally within the lens and creates a visual haze on the lens surface) is that if you live or shoot in a humid climate keep your lenses in sealed bags with sufficient desiccant (Silica dioxide if I am not mistaken) to capture the moisture in the stored space before it becomes an issue.

[civich]

I have done some personal research into the fungus issue and have found that 60% relative humidity is generally accepted as the minimum requirement for fungus/mildew growth. I make a point to keep the area where I keep my photo and other gear at no more than 50% maximum humidity. This can be a struggle to achieve during the summer here in the south central plains. -Chris

[Ginette]

I think I will have to use the Paypal Resolution Center. The seller said that the lens have no fungus when he sent it! From the pictures I post, can theses large fungus spots can developped in a 9 days shipping time?

[Dan Fromm]

I think I will have to use the Paypal Resolution Center. The seller said that the lens have no fungus when he sent it! From the pictures I post, can theses large fungus spots can developped in a 9 days shipping time?

No.

[Jac@stafford.net]

I think I will have to use the Paypal Resolution Center. The seller said that the lens have no fungus when he sent it! From the pictures I post, can theses large fungus spots can developped in a 9 days shipping time?

If it is hyphae, then it can grow very quickly under ideal conditions which are unlikely; it was likely advancing before the sale.

Present your photos with the case.
.

[Ginette]

Thanks both for fast answers. I'm not aware about fungus because I think we don't have the climate here for fungus growth. I check carefully all my Pentax 67 lenses as someone talk about some susceptibility to fungus but none have anything.

This is a very bad transaction overall. Unfortunately from the For Sale section here.
I already have this Pentax 100mm Macro lens but my copy have a problem, the focus shift when pointed down, typical situation, on the copy stand.
So I explain this to the member and ask him to verify if his lens do the same, he certify me that it is not the case. Unfortunately the focus shift! I removed the lens cap, the lens shade, no Life size converter on it ... and it still shift. I ask the member if he think that this was done in the 9 days shipping!
Also, an Helicoid Extension tube was supposed to be included with the lens, seller didn't ship it.

So the fungus problem is like, in French we said "LA CERISE SUR LE SUNDAE", I don't know if the expression make sense in English "it like the cherry on the sundae". Maybe the seller didn't see the fungus but globally the lens is seriously not as described.
As the seller refused to take it back (I proposed to paid the shipping), I open the Paypal case. But they don't ask for pictures maybe only the the case will be escalated to a claim.

[Michael Kadillak]

Thanks both for fast answers. I'm not aware about fungus because I think we don't have the climate here for fungus growth. I check carefully all my Pentax 67 lenses as someone talk about some susceptibility to fungus but none have anything.

This is a very bad transaction overall. Unfortunately from the For Sale section here.
I already have this Pentax 100mm Macro lens but my copy have a problem, the focus shift when pointed down, typical situation, on the copy stand.
So I explain this to the member and ask him to verify if his lens do the same, he certify me that it is not the case. Unfortunately the focus shift! I removed the lens cap, the lens shade, no Life size converter on it ... and it still shift. I ask the member if he think that this was done in the 9 days shipping!
Also, an Helicoid Extension tube was supposed to be included with the lens, seller didn't ship it.

So the fungus problem is like, in French we said "LA CERISE SUR LE SUNDAE", I don't know if the expression make sense in English "it like the cherry on the sundae". Maybe the seller didn't see the fungus but globally the lens is seriously not as described.
As the seller refused to take it back (I proposed to paid the shipping), I open the Paypal case. But they don't ask for pictures maybe only the the case will be escalated to a claim.

Your desire to return the lens within the review period should be without cause. In other words you do not have to qualify the reason why. It is your prerogative to return the item if you pay for the postage back. There is no way possible way that the lens defect could have been caused that quickly.

[cowanw]

A cherry on top.
But it is usually a good thing in English idiom.
I suppose the Philippines are plenty humid for fungus.
I suggest you escalate this to the max with paypal to start; you can always settle downwards but don't risk missing any deadlines. Get Paypal to notify the seller and thenthe seller may be more reasonable.

[NancyP]

Fungus. Lord knows I have seen enough of these in lab experiments of long term animal cell cultures.

[Shootar401]

I had an old folder that had some fungus on the lens, out of boredom and/or curiosity I soaked a q-tip in lighter fluid and "washed the area" the fungus went away. The area where the fungus was growing was etched a bit. I was going to light the fluid and burn it away as a last resort, but didn't need to.

[jose angel]

.... Maybe the seller didn't see the fungus but globally the lens is seriously not as described.
As the seller refused to take it back (I proposed to paid the shipping), I open the Paypal case. But they don't ask for pictures maybe only the the case will be escalated to a claim.
Same problem here months ago, with a cheating seller which send me a "new, unused" lens in "like new condition". The lens actually looked new, but was plenty of fungus; the photos were strategically taken to avoid showing it.
The seller refused to accept my claim, so Paypal took 2-3 months and several emails to refund my payment. Beware that you must answer the emails within a date, if not the refund guarantee will be lost. It was very annoying, so I now think it twice before buying again on eBay.
After that (past december), the lens was again in eBay, now in "used but minty condition" or so, same price, with no mention of the fungus again.

[sun of sand]

I bet it wouldn't cause serious loss of resolution
I have a front element lens 60% or more etched from fungus

Resolution isn't that bad even on 35mm
equal or better to clean lenses of inferior quality which many would say are ok


great deal due to the fungus? I'd go for it

back element may mean more loss of resolution
don't know

[Ginette]

great deal due to the fungus? I'd go for it

Not a deal at all for me, fungus not declared and focus shift when pointed down even if the seller said no shift.



Same problem here months ago, with a cheating seller which send me a "new, unused" lens in "like new condition". The lens actually looked new, but was plenty of fungus; the photos were strategically taken to avoid showing it.
The seller refused to accept my claim, so Paypal took 2-3 months and several emails to refund my payment. Beware that you must answer the emails within a date, if not the refund guarantee will be lost. It was very annoying, so I now think it twice before buying again on eBay.
After that (past december), the lens was again in eBay, now in "used but minty condition" or so, same price, with no mention of the fungus again.

Yes the pictures sent to me didn't show the glasses either. Yes I reply to Paypal when they asked but the seller didn't. Actually Paypal examine the claim.
In your case, Paypal asked you to return the lens and they refund after the lens arrived back with the confirmation that it was received from the seller?

Your seller is really not honest, no way to report an eBay item?