Digital Photography Technology

Lens fungus is something that many amateur photographers have never heard about, and if they have, they probably ignored it. It is something your do not see unless you know how to recognize it. Lens fungus grows on the glass inside of the lens mount or barrel. It comes from moisture that gets inside the lens and stays for long periods of time. If it is caught in the early stages, it can be cleaned by sending it to the factory or a competent camera shop. If left too long, it will eat the lens coating and destroy the lens.

Keep lenses in a cool dry place, and check them occasionally. If you are in a high humidity area, the lens can be placed in an airtight bag with some bags of silica gel. Change the silica gel occasionally as it will get saturated.

When this happens, the quality of the pictures will start to deteriorate. If you look into the end of the lens, you can see it on the glass. Go to a camera store and they can help if you are in doubt.