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Mikey
30-Apr-2021, 13:43
I have a couple of LF lenses that have some mold around the perimeter of the glass. Is there an easy way to remove it? Is there a reputable company that can do a good job removing it without harming the lens coating? Thank you.

Steven Tribe
1-May-2021, 01:57
Need photos to make a diagnosis!
Coated or uncoated?
A edge ring effect sounds more like cement degradation rather than fungus.
Where you live is important to finding help!

Mikey
1-May-2021, 18:19
They are coated lenses. the edge ring looks like a rainbow of colors. I live in Denver, but would ship lens to a reputable company. Thank you, Steven

Dan Fromm
1-May-2021, 18:27
Hmm. The rainbow sounds like Newton's rings, due to separations. Which lenses do you have? Maker, model and serial numbers, please. Some vintages of Rodenstock lenses are very prone to separations, as are a few Schneider lenses and Voigtlaender LF lenses that contain synthetic cements.

LabRat
1-May-2021, 19:04
The mold comes off fairly easily after fuming in a box with old style Listerine (contains thymol) or Lysol solution sprinkled on a rag inside a sealed box that is in a warm place for a week or so... Then element is wiped well with isopropyl alcohol, then washed and carefully dried...

But the bigger problem is if the mold was on them long enough where it secretes acid that attacks some types of optical glass, then there will be pitting...

Older coatings don't like mold either, and can be worse than the glass...

Good luck!!!

Steve K

maltfalc
1-May-2021, 19:13
They are coated lenses. the edge ring looks like a rainbow of colors. I live in Denver, but would ship lens to a reputable company. Thank you, Stevenyeah, that's not mold. if it's not affecting image quality, leave it alone.