How to spot fungus and haze
Shine a torch through the lens and look inside: fungus appears as fine web-like strands or spots on an internal element, while haze looks like a soft, milky film reducing contrast. Both are inside the lens, not on the outer surface you can wipe.
Left alone, fungus can spread and, over time, etch the lens coating. Acting sooner gives a better result.
What cleaning can and can't fix
In many cases the lens can be opened in a clean environment, the affected elements cleaned, and the lens reassembled and tested. Light fungus and haze usually clean up well.
Where fungus has already etched the coating or glass, some marks can be permanent — we assess this honestly and tell you what result to expect before any work.
Check and prevent:
- Shine a torch through the lens to spot webs, spots or milky haze
- Note whether it's inside the lens (not on the outer surface)
- Store lenses dry, with airflow — humidity encourages fungus
- Don't leave lenses unused in closed, damp bags for long periods
- Act sooner — fungus can etch coatings over time