How to prevent fungus etc.

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KGB-Spion

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Dear Users,

I have a Zenit EM, a Zenit 3M and a Zorki C. These are my favorite cameras and recently a friend gave me 2 bags for the Zenits and one Zorki 2C bag for my Zorki C...


Now my question : How to prevent fungus and corrosion of the rangefinder-mirror ?

Would You recommend me to keep these cameras in their bags or is it better to place them in a vitrine ?

Then : 2 days ago, I loaded them with ISO 200 Film - how many days can I keep the cameras loaded ?

Best regards,
KGB-Spion
 
Preventing fungus - store in cool, low humidity area. If impractical, try storing with some silica dessicant.

I'm no expert, but have kept film in camera for a month without problems. I just remember to keep the cap on the lens when not using, and I store it in a dark bag.
 
Low humidity is the main thing to prevent fungus, but not below 30% relative humidity according to Carl Zeiss, as this can cause problems with lubricants. Anything above 70% RH is dangerous. Keeping equipment in leather cases is reckoned to be A Bad Thing fungus-wise.

I'm not aware of problems keeping film in cameras (assuming no light leaks). The manufacturers advise developing film as soon as possible, but I've often taken 18 months or more to finish a roll without any apparent problem.
 
A OK - so it`s a question of humidity. OK. And another thing:

Shoulr I keep the Zorki S in his bag ? Do the usual light conditions in my living room damage the rangefinder-mirror ? Is it possible, that it will get corrosion ?

I took a closer look and I realized, that some points of the rangefinder mirror are allready corroded! Or maybe it is fungus but it is very very small!

:) It would be a pity. if a 50 year old cam gets damaged after being restored :)

It sounds a little ironic - right ?

But after talking with my firiends, I realized that proper handling with the cams is a very important topic ! And unproer handling can result bad photos or in worst case a broken cam :)


Best Regards,

KGB-Spion

I am glad for our comments, the more the better :)
 
sniki said:
Keeping under UV lamp has a germicidial effect on fungus.
Click to expand...
Some say that the same can be achieved by exposing the lens (separated from the camera!) to direct sunlight.
Concerning the RF mirror, I'm not sure if fungus grow there so easily as in lenses, I don't remember reports about RF mirror damage caused by fungi...
The usual problem with mirrors is the loss of the silvering, and this is often unrelated to living agents.
Regards
Joao
 
Silver is anti-bacterial and a germacide.

In hospitals they use use silver plating on door-knobs to help minimize the proliferation of staff infections. Some high tech athletic clothing uses silver to eliminate odors that is caused by bacteria.

I am not certain if this effect is extended to fungus.

Calzone
 
Instead of keeping your camera in the bag or the vitrine (I would suggest the bag is even worse) take her out for a walk and make pictures with it.

Cameras, like people, love fresh air. It makes them healthier...

Don't forget that mechanical shutters also like regular work to keep fit.

Sunshine surely helps preventing fungi for both: you and your camera (sometimes I also forget about it ... shame on me!).

Seriously, have fun with it, and "don't worry, be happy"...

Greetings,

Rui

AL-MOST-LY PHOTOGRAPHY
 
I'm sure that if you cannot keep your cameras in a controlled low humidity, by far the best thing is to keep them in the open, in daylight, and not in cases. If you want to keep them in the sun though, beware of burning holes in the curtains of your Zeniths! Make sure the lenses are not left at infinity.

Fungus certainly will attack SLR mirrors. I've encountered several badly affected. The 'silvering' here, though, is normally aluminium. I'm not sure what is used for the semi-silvered mirrors in rangefinders - possibly silver or gold - which may not be so vulnerable.

Rui is right though: Don't get so paranoid that you can't use your cameras. When I said that a RH of over 70% is dangerous, I probably should have said 'potentially dangerous'. The spores have to be present, and the humidity has to be maintained for a while, so you may well be OK.
 
KGB-Spion said:
Then : 2 days ago, I loaded them with ISO 200 Film - how many days can I keep the cameras loaded ?

Best regards,
KGB-Spion
Click to expand...

This question made me chuckle. I have a friend, whose hobby is to buy old cameras on E-bay with film inside and develop the film and then try to figure out when and where pictures were taken and even writes a small stories of his finds. Cameras he buys- Brownies and Kodak, 1930-40-50. I wonder what would he say to this question? :)
 
Hehe - OK thanks :)

Now I know it better. It was only a question of knowledge. Now I know it and I will follow Your recommendations.

Thank You and best regards :)
 
Rhodes said:
My elmar has a fungus and I tried to leave it at sun light, but no effect!
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Sun light doesn't kill fungus but prevents growth of fungus. I tried this once with my Summitar, thought it might have fungus and exposed it for one hour to ultra-hard UV light (254nm). The only result was that the balsam used to glue the two parts of the front-element together got damaged by radiation and element separation started ... :eek:

The best thing to prevent from fungus is using the equipment and when not in use store it away from leather (and other organic fabrics) in a dry and non-dark place. A cabinet with glass doors is very good, special care is only necessary in places with high average humidity and temperature.
 
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