Mold in my lens, DAMMIT!

[NEPats37]

I just received a lens, for free from my neighbor. He hasnt used it ion quite a while because he switched to a point and shoot digital. The lens is a Canon FD 80-200 zoom lens. There is mold right underneath the front lens. There is not too much (you can barly see it when you look through the camera) it is visible when you look at the camera. Hhow much will this affect my photos? Anyone ever use a lens with mold before and get good or bad results?
Thanks

 

[Alex_B]

hard to tell ... depends on the amount. the good thing is the mold will never be in focus, so hardly noticeable. I sometimes shoot with fairls dirty front glass outdoors and it hardly ever affects my images.

If it is too much though... well, just give it a try!

 

[Paul Ron]

To inactivate the mold from growing any more, expose it to sunlight for a few days. The UV will kill it and it won't get any worse.

 

[Garbz]

But the Mould can etc away the glare coating inside the lens and permanently damage the glass. Go get it cleaned out. Should cost you about $50US tops.