Yashica Electro 35 Kit Mildew / Mold / Fungus

[Dave S.]

I recently picked up a Yashica Electro 35 Kit from the big auction site. This is the neat little suitcase that has the accessory lenses, lens shade, tripod, etc. It arrived complete and still in the original cardboard box. The price sticker on the outside of the box says it was sold for $35.50. The warranty card inside is filled out as follows:

Date Purchased: 25 Nov 69
Name of Store: Exchange #1031
Address of Store: Vietnam 96291

Lastly, the outer cardboard box has the name "Baker" written across it.

I found it interesting that it was bought on Thanksgiving Day in Vietnam.

Now on to the reason for my post...

The outside of the little suitcase had what appeared to be mold/mildew and the associated smell that goes along with that kind of thing (musty). The inside of the case smells musty too. The filters also appear to have some small spots of mold/mildew. I wiped off the outside of the case and it cleaned up very well as I suspect the filters will too when I clean them. Nevertheless I'm concerned about using this kit with my nice GTN. I really don't want to get fungus problems with my GTN.

I had originally thought I would use some of these accessories and store my GTN along with them in the neat little suitcase, but now I am hesitant. Should I throw the thing out? Should I try and clean it up? How would I clean it up if I wanted to?

My inclination is to clean everything with a hydrogen peroxide solution (I've read that's good for killing lens fungus) and let the suitcase and little soft camera case that came with it sit out in the sun for a good long time. But will that do the trick? Your thoughts and advice are welcome.

Thanks!

Dave

 

[Ranchu]

If it were me I would throw it out. When I buy used cases, even in good shape, I soak them in a very mild bleach/cold water solution, then soak/rinse in plain water to kill any fungi I can't see. Drip dry. About enough bleach so you can smell it a little more than a swimming pool. A couple tablespoons or so.

I don't like to take chances with fungus.

 

[Dave S.]

Thanks for your response Ranchu. Maybe I should throw the cases out.

Do you think the other items might be salvageable with proper cleaning? I mean the filters, tripod, lens shade, and cable release (I don't really care about the accessory lenses). Would a bleach solution be a good cleaning agent for these items or would hydrogen peroxide be a better choice?

 

[Ranchu]

I use bleach because it's recommended for keeping mold down on the room surfaces when people are growing pot (I am not, but it's something I heard from some people a long time ago). They don't want mold in their buds. As I remember the ratio was 1 part bleach to 9 parts water for use in a spray bottle. I actually soak the bags in it so I try to use 'just enough' = much less. I don't know about hydrogen peroxide, I've never used it...

If you want to be as safe as I would be, I would just keep the things that were hard with minimal crevices that would hide mold, after treating them with the bleach solution. It's hard to advise really, you kind of have to balance the usefulness of the items with the risk of having mold in it. I would think the tripod would be OK, better if it comes apart to clean it. Cable release doesn't seem worth the risk to me. Shades should be OK. Filters... I guess I wouldn't risk it being that their so close to the lenses, unless you can take them completely apart to clean. Some are put together with a simple circular spring that you can pry out and they come apart.

I hope that helps some.

 

[mutato]

I think fungus is really going to grow on lenses if they were left dusty and untouched in moist environments for years. If you keep your camera in a dry place and keep it clean, you should be good.

 

[b1bmsgt]

I was just going to say that!!! 😉


For cleaning lens fungus, I use a 50/50 mix of peroxide and ammonia. Smells bad, but works good!


Russ

 

[Dave S.]

Thanks for everyone's replies!

I feel a bit uneasy using bleach - it somehow seems harsher than a 50/50 mix of peroxide and ammonia. Of course, I could be totally wrong about that - its just my intuition. I think this weekend I'm going to try the peroxide and ammonia approach and see how it goes.

-Dave

 

[b1bmsgt]

Keep in mind, I just use that on lenses... I have no idea how it might affect things such as the camera case...
I'm sure it would be safe on most any hard surface, though.

Russ

 

[Sparrow]

there are millions of fungal spores in every cubic metre of air anyway so almost impossible to stop stuff getting infected, however I read somewhere that fungus needs three things it thrive, darkness moisture and warmth, deny it any one and it can’t grow.