Fungus inside DSLR Camera Body (5D) what to do?

[Skyelark]

Hi All

I can get a very nice 5D that has some fungus for a very decent price (incl a full Cameratek service to remove the fungus).
Fungus is in the viewfinder (mild)
And on the Sensor (Quite bad & worse than the viewfinder but no damage to the sensor or IR filter on top of the sensor)

See the attached pic taken with the 5D which clearly shows the fungi growth.

My question is it worth considering in terms of future reliability and the prospect of the fungus re-growing
(many say this is a very real scenario - even Cameratek says there is a possibility it will re-grow despite a thorough service).

Also could the residual fungi spores left in the body after cleaning infect my range of lens (got some good ones!).
Or maybe encourage growth to unmanageable degree in my lens?

Obviously all camera equipment is exposed to an amount of fungi spores in normal day to day situation.
Fungus growth will only take place in dark , damp & tepid environments so its not like fungi spore exposure automatically means fungus growth.

But maybe someone has experienced this and can share what does actually happen

Any one had a similar situation with fungus inside a DSLR?

Ps - The Fungus growth is not due to abuse as such.
The poor guy left a lot of nice equipment at his parents house for some months in a warm humid location
and got back to find many lens and the body with fungus
(some were 2.8 as new Canon lens - quite sad )

[Leo Theron]

SC

Steer Clear - that is my advice.

[mahleu]

I had this on a sensor once, no one could fix (for a reasonable price) but someone bought it saying they could sort it out.

Fungus normally does come back, the sensor lives in darkness behind the mirror so that doesn't help.

But if the price is right...

[Skyelark]

Been thinking long and hard about it and I can see 2 points to be aware of - There will be a period after cleaning when the contamination will still be green - ie there will be very ripe fungus spores (spores that are primed to start growing instantly upon landing in correct conditions) moving around the camera body due to the recent growth , after a month or so that risk should subside as the required conditions don't materialize .

The density of fungus spores may be higher than usual inside the camera body , although a thorough & professional cleaning , should technically if done properly , sort that out!


But everyone reading this must be aware of the fact that there are spores in the air , in your camera body & in your R55-000 lens right now , no matter how clean and pristine they are , if you've used them inside or outside they are contaminated.
The spores lie inert where ever they've landed unless you leave your gear in dark dank humid conditions - then all hell breaks loose.....

But anyone actually done this before & lived with the results?
Please let me know!

[Luc Hosten]

I have had lenses with fungus cleaned before but that was in the film days when the lenses seemed more robust. Do not remember the contamination being green - fungi do not have chlorophyll. Last time I spoke to a analytical chemist he mentioned that he had used some chemical fumes to kill off fungus on equipment and I will ask him for the name - it was to do with fungus in a spotting scope. It also helps to leave equipment in the light (and store in a light box), avoid dark and damp.

[mahleu]

I've had lenses cleaned of fungus before and it hasn't come back. They have to be cleaned properly and then they have to see the light of day. All my lenses now live with the caps off when not in my camera bag.

If you go through with it, I recommend keeping the camera in an airconditioned/dehumidified room. With a lens you can leave it in the sun but with a sensor you can't really so it's a bit awkward.

I just noticed the original poster is from Dbn. That explains that

[Skyelark]

Yip thats the big thing - Fresh air and sun
Heard a saying whilst googling this issue :
Use it or Lose it


Gona be sunbathing all my camera equipment in direct sun for a timed 30mins once a month from now on!!

[Provo]

Get some bags of silica gel and keep it in all the nooks and crannies of your camera bag. If you live in a humid climate, bake the bags in the oven at about 100 degC at least once a year. Or get new silica gel.