The perils of living in the tropics

[Frontman]

A box with a UV lamp will keep the fungus at bay, these are used by barbers and others to keep their instruments free of bateria and such.

The fungus in Sekor lenses is easily removed (if caught early) with toothpaste (a touch) and a damp cotton swab, or you can use cerium oxide in the same manner. If the fungus is left alone, it will make the coating and glass milky.

The 90mm lens is close enough to the 100mm lens that the frame lines should be okay. You can verify this by using a Mamiya ground glass back.

 

[RBruceCR]

A box with a UV lamp will keep the fungus at bay, these are used by barbers and others to keep their instruments free of bateria and such.

The fungus in Sekor lenses is easily removed (if caught early) with toothpaste (a touch) and a damp cotton swab, or you can use cerium oxide in the same manner. If the fungus is left alone, it will make the coating and glass milky.

The 90mm lens is close enough to the 100mm lens that the frame lines should be okay. You can verify this by using a Mamiya ground glass back.

Do you have a spare rear element for my 90/3.5 or can you send me a quote for a 100/3.5?

Mine is a Standard Press without any frame lines (ever) I remember fiddling with this camera as a little kid and it helped me how to focus range finders, but I have never seen any frame lines other that those supplied with the viewfinder masks!

 

[Frontman]

Do you have a spare rear element for my 90/3.5 or can you send me a quote for a 100/3.5?

Mine is a Standard Press without any frame lines (ever) I remember fiddling with this camera as a little kid and it helped me how to focus range finders, but I have never seen any frame lines other that those supplied with the viewfinder masks!

Actually, I believe I do have one an extra 90/3.5, I'll see if I can find it.

 

[RBruceCR]

Another lens bites the dust. Now my 65/6.3 is being cleaned and my 150/5.6 blue dot has a stuck shutter!

 

[john_s]

Silica gel absorbs moisture until it reaches its limit. Then it has to be dried for reuse.

 

[RBruceCR]

Silica gel absorbs moisture until it reaches its limit. Then it has to be dried for reuse.

Hi! How's film photography down under?

How can I re-dry the SilcaGel?

 

[RBruceCR]

There is no way to avoid fungus in the tropics. You can use a dry box, but obviously the lenses are not going to be in there all the time. Also, fungus likes the dark. Bright light helps prevent fungus.

In my experience, a lens infected with a moderate amount of fungus can still produce sharp and contrasty images, but each case is unique....

Hi can you describe what a dry box is? I remember mom being a florist, to dry flowers on a tin box filled with silca gel. Is that what it is?

 

[RBruceCR]

There is no way to avoid fungus in the tropics. You can use a dry box, but obviously the lenses are not going to be in there all the time. Also, fungus likes the dark. Bright light helps prevent fungus.

In my experience, a lens infected with a moderate amount of fungus can still produce sharp and contrasty images, but each case is unique....

Hi can you describe what a dry box is? I remember mom being a florist, to dry flowers on a tin box filled with silca gel. Is that what it is?

I had the 65/6.3 lens cleaned and lubed. It had a spec of fungus in the center of the rear element!

 

[WJJ3]

dry box

dry box

Im living in Hawaii and recently got this small cabinet from Japan.
It regulates humidity as well as sterilizes the air inside by means of photocatalysis.

I have heard some sad stories about moldy lenses here, so I'm hoping this does the trick!

 

[RBruceCR]

Im living in Hawaii and recently got this small cabinet from Japan.
It regulates humidity as well as sterilizes the air inside by means of photocatalysis.

I have heard some sad stories about moldy lenses here, so I'm hoping this does the trick!

Outstanding! If only I could find a model to chill some wine as well, were done!