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Keep it clean

dudler

Time for an update: I still use film, though. Not vast quantities, but I have a darkroom, and I'm not afraid to use it.

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Keep it clean

27 Dec 2021 10:31AM   Views : 482 Unique : 267

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Anyone who has consistently read this blog will know that I don’t actually keep my photographic gear meticulously clean – you’ve seen the dust in the knocks and crannies and watermarks on the front elements of lenses. So you may be surprised to know that I recently cleaned a couple of batteries really well.

The truth is that I put a pair of trousers in the washing machine oblivious of the fact that there were two camera batteries in the back pockets. One of them emerged slightly discharged but definitely working, the other one – as you can see – fared slightly less well.

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So I think I may have a new year’s resolution to take more care about checking my pockets before putting clothes in the wash. The good news is that I haven’t done anything on the ‘do not’ list on the side of the batteries: the washing machine ran at 40ᵒ Celsius.

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Comments

dudler Avatar
dudler Plus
20 2.2k 2063 England
27 Dec 2021 10:32AM
This may lead to a more serious blog about cleaning cameras and lenses...
clicknimagine Avatar
clicknimagine Plus
13 1.3k 105 India
27 Dec 2021 10:45AM
Do you have any experience of cleaning the lens where inside the front glass there is apparent fungus...

I have seen a few useful links on the youtube how to clean the inner part of the lens (100-400 IS canon)...I am not getting that confidence to do it by myself...
Chrism8 Avatar
Chrism8 17 1.1k 34 England
27 Dec 2021 10:55AM
I fairly often leave things in pockets, so much so that Mrs M8 checks every pocket of mine before putting the garment in the washing machine
dudler Avatar
dudler Plus
20 2.2k 2063 England
27 Dec 2021 12:38PM
That's a really good question, Somnath.

And the answer is no - but I will do some research. My memory is that the advice is generally that there's nothing that can be done, certainly not without taking the lens apart, making it a professional job. The same advice suggests that fungus spreads from one lens to others: and that the best way to avoid this is to keep everything dry and cold - which isn't easy in a hot climate.

If you can get to the surface easily, I'm guessing that alcohol will probably kill and remove fungus, although there may be damage to the surface of the glass. The big problem, I suspect, is getting the distance between elements right on reassembly - which is, I think, called 'collimation' and can seriously affect sharpness.

With a lens that's badly affected, there's not much to lose, but if you can't tell the difference between results with the lens before and after fungus has appeared, leaving well alone may be best.

There'll be a future blog...
Robert51 Avatar
Robert51 15 14 147 United Kingdom
27 Dec 2021 2:37PM
I heard of cleaning up your act John but this is taking it a little too far...

I have to admit that I often carry a spare battery in the coin pocket in jeans and something you could forget to take out. I have not done it yet but there is still time.
Have you notice how that pocket is just the right size.
saltireblue Avatar
saltireblue Plus
13 14.8k 90 Norway
27 Dec 2021 3:40PM
It discharged in your trouser pocket...hmmm...nuff said!Wink
pablophotographer Avatar
pablophotographer 12 2.2k 451
29 Dec 2021 2:00AM

Quote:Do you have any experience of cleaning the lens where inside the front glass there is apparent fungus...


No, but when keeping your lenses horizontal in a furniture with a glass door that allows sunlight to come through them the chances of developing fungus are less.
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