Unforunately, that spanner part (which is what actually holds the front element in) is actually underneath that top ring...you can't access the grooves until that top ring is off. Even if I went in sideways, it screws off vertically, which still needs that top ring to come off. Like I said, I've seen a disassembly guide, and that ID ring is the first thing that needs to come off. Anyone know the best way to straighten a bent filter ring without damaging the threads? (I've bent it back a little, but it's not perfect.)
Jman13 wrote:
I want to kill any further growth, and I don't want it to etch the glass if it hasn't yet. Any suggestions? Is there a way to kill the fungus without disassembly? Suggestions?
This is just a guess, but-
Put the lens in a sealed chamber, along with an open container of ammonia.
Maybe the strong ammonia fumes would be enough to penetrate the lens & kill the fungus. I really don't know.
I'd try this with the cheapest lens you have first, in case the ammonia fumes leave some kind of deposit on the glass.
Another, total desperation move, might be to submerse the front of the lens in pure alchohol. That should kill the nasties and vaporize off, but once again I'd test on something cheap. Also, it might just cause the fungus to have a wild party.
A third, semi-ridiculous idea would be to microwave it. You'd get a bunch of sparks, but both you & the microwave would probably survive. The fungus would most certainly NOT survive.
I wouldn't do either one of those. Bad... Bad... Ideas. (no offense)
The vapors will not come back out, and ammonia may start etching the coatings. Alcohol will start dissolving into the helicoid grease and will also water stain badly.
I wouldn't do either one of those. Bad... Bad... Ideas. (no offense)
The vapors will not come back out, and ammonia may start etching the coatings. Alcohol will start dissolving into the helicoid grease and will also water stain badly.
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You're probably right about the coatings, so OK. But is this known? I've read that bleach doesn't affect coatings, but it probably doesn't have enough fumes to work with this idea.
- I don't see how the alcohol would get to the grease if you just dunk the front of the lens. the OP is only concerned with the front element. but again, if it affects the coatings... but are you sure?
I also don't see why the vapor would not come out, if they could get in in the first place. Just put the lens out in the sun on a breezy day.
I certainly have never tried this. -but have you? Remember, the OP's only other alternative, if he can't get it open, is to eventually toss the lens.
Ammonia is mildly basic, so I'd be highly reticent to leave it hanging around at all.
Think of the number of interfacing surfaces inside a lens. The ability for alcohol to wick is amazing, so dunking a lens in it sounds disastrous. I don't directly spray my front element with alcohol when I clean them, I always spray my cloth, and then quickly wipe for this reason.
The reason you don't want any vapors to remain is the inability to exchange the air behind the front element. It's probably pretty easy to get in, but even when the lens is left out for a while, there will remain plenty of vapor behind the element because the concentration gradient will not be too big.
I'm pretty sure that the OP will find a way to straighten the filter. My recommendation is a peice of pine or balsa that won't damage the threads placed up against the offending part of the ring and some well placed blows may do the trick.
Some of these repair suggestions will cost more than the lens itself! (i.e, I don't own a dremel). The lens cost me $46, and that was with a camera that I will re sell for probably $15. So, $30 for this lens. Frankly, if I'm unable to straight the ring enough with pliers (with a cloth between the teeth), and if I can't get the front element out, I'll just use it and hope the fungus doesn't get worse inside. If it does, the lens will be a goner, and I'll get a new one, probably from KEH or somewhere. Heck, even if I only get a year out of the lens before the IQ is affected, it's a good price.
As it is, I found a rubber stopper that I should be able to use to get the ring off (if the threads are straight. If not, oh well. I don't own a lens spanner, but I should be able to do that with two precision screwdrivers, I'd imagine.
If you can get it reasonably straight, try and start threading a filter in to it slowly. This should work as you work the filter on and off it should start to straighten out a lot more. Worked for things like bolts, etc when I was in autobody but have not tried the trick on a lens .
Well, I cut down a rubber stopper for a friction tool and that ring isn't going anywhere. I also tried to use the spanner notches to unscrew from underneath it, but there's not enough showing to get torque. I may try again later, but for now I think I'll just let it be. Hopefully my gear bag and house are dry enough that it won't grow any further. If the lens dies, it dies, and I'll pick up another S-M-C Tak, but for now, I'll revel in the great image quality for such a cheap price!
