8mm Forum: Serious lens cleaning question

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Posted by Tom Photiou (Member # 130) on April 07, 2014, 02:28 PM:

Tonight I gave my Elmo 1.1 lens a clean up using Zeiss lens cleaning wipes. After given it a clean up I was a bit miffed to switch the bulb on and as you can see there appears to be a coat of dirt/dust on the inside of the front lens [Mad]

Now then, has anyone on here ever taken one of these apart to clean the inside or is this a professional camera/photographic shop only? what do you all think? The strange thing is the image on screen appears fine although I'm very positive looking at this that there is a large amount of light not getting out.
The one thing I do well is keep the my machines clean, this lens seems to have slipped my attention.

[ April 22, 2014, 10:52 AM: Message edited by: Tom Photiou ]

Posted by Tom Photiou (Member # 130) on April 08, 2014, 12:52 PM:

Anyone? [Frown]

Posted by Paul Adsett (Member # 25) on April 08, 2014, 01:12 PM:

Hi Tom,
This appears to be a fairly common problem with Elmo lenses. You may not think that the film on the lenses is affecting image sharpness, but it can really hurt image contrast due to light scatter between the lens elements. I have been able to remove only the outer large objective lens, and have never been able to remove and clean the smaller lenses deep down in the assembly. I also wish someone here could post a step by step procedure for disassembling and cleaning the Elmo lenses, I have yet to see one.
Kodak and Eumig lenses do not appear to have this problem.

Posted by Steve Klare (Member # 12) on April 08, 2014, 01:15 PM:

Does the stuff on the insides of the lens appear to be strands?

It could be lens fungus.

The thing to do is point the lens at the sun tomorrow and let it sit a few hours. Fungus likes it dark and damp. This will at least stop it from doing any more damage while you figure out your next step.

I've taken lenses apart and was kind of amazed by the complexity and difficulty of doing it (didn't end well...). If this was the regular ELMO f1.3 I'd propably toss it. An expensive lens like this you might consider getting professionally repaired.

Posted by Graham Ritchie (Member # 559) on April 08, 2014, 01:51 PM:

Paul

I remember you mentioned in the past topic how to dismantle and clean the Elmo 1.3 lens, I did this and it made a difference, however I never had to do it with a 1.1 lens as I think that one is a bit more tricky.

Graham.

Posted by Tom Photiou (Member # 130) on April 22, 2014, 10:52 AM:

I have now had the Len's checked and fortunately there is a semi-retired photographic engineer who lives not too far away, many years ago we bought a large sankor scope lens which was just a tenner, it was filthy so we took it to his then shop in Plymouth where for £15 he took it apart and made it new again, he is hopeful that our two Elmo 1.1 Len's and the Isco Cottington scope lens can all be dismantled and cleaned, yayyy [Smile]

It is fungi to so I must get a few lens caps to help protect them.

Posted by Andrew Woodcock (Member # 3260) on April 22, 2014, 04:27 PM:

Tom I have a Kowa scope lens which is need of a similar service so I would be grateful if you could pass on to me the photographic specialist details if you think the chap would be interested in having a look at it for me. Many thanks, Andrew.

Posted by Thomas Dafnides (Member # 1851) on April 23, 2014, 10:55 PM:

I have had some success with leaving a lens at an open window pointed at the sun for an extended period... weeks at a time...wrap tin foil around the end of the lens so the sun rays coming through are reflected back into the lens. Periodically, it helps to re-position the lens for direct sun ray penetration.
I have dismantled lenses and found that the fungus is formed between the two elements where the zoom elements separate and slide apart... an air pocket forms which permits fungus spore invasion. The lens should be stored in the zoom position where the front glass elements retract and air is forced out. The fungus spores are in the air pocket and make their home on the glass. Incidentally, Elmo lenses are the most difficult to dismantle. My impression is that they were made so only Elmo could dismantle them with specialized tools.
Although, I have not tried it, if you purchased an UV LED flashlight..you could simulate the same process directing the beam into the lens, albeit with alot of battery re-charging.

[ April 24, 2014, 06:23 PM: Message edited by: Thomas Dafnides ]

Posted by Lee Mannering (Member # 728) on April 24, 2014, 05:59 AM:

Similarly and every summer I line up my lenses in a window facing daytime sun and leave for a fortnight having put some foil behind the rear element just in case we start a fire!
The only lenses I have ever had that give trouble are named Elmo.. [Roll Eyes]

Posted by Tom Photiou (Member # 130) on April 24, 2014, 10:39 AM:

thanks for the info Thomas and Lee, I may give that a try if the guy quotes too high a price. [Wink]

Posted by Tom Photiou (Member # 130) on July 20, 2016, 03:53 PM:

Well, here i am again, those darn Elmo 1:1 lenses.
I have had no success in getting rid of this lens mould,(strand like mould), i can clearly see it.
Took it to a local photographic repair chap who looked at it and said he wouldnt be confident in taking it apart!! Some expert.
Unfortunatly my searches have been exhausted so i thought i would pop this thread back up to if if anyone in the Uk can recommend a good camera repair specialist who would or may undertake servicing these lenses.
I am very tempted to try to at least get the outer front lens off, this is where is appears to be particularly bad on one of our lenses. [Smile]

Posted by Andrew Woodcock (Member # 3260) on July 20, 2016, 05:47 PM:

I had a scope lens once that went to a "specialist" Tom.
It came back a month later to the shop untouched internally.
Exactly the same story, no confidence!
I think the guys that could and would have carried out this type of work here in the UK are either long since retired or no longer with us sadly.
It seems as interested parties in anything from the 50's, 60's or 70's, let alone even older...we are now the only specialists still around to even attempt this type of work sadly!

With anything in life, I've always worked on the principle that if someone has put something together,..then it HAS to come apart!

It's just a case of working out the puzzle and never using brute force.
Things that are specialist bonded typically cause the most concern when attempting to disassemble an item.

Posted by Tom Photiou (Member # 130) on July 21, 2016, 06:45 AM:

I think your right Andy. Hard to believe that in this whole country there doesn't seem to be anyone who can do this.
I will probably have a go at it myself even if its just to get the front section done which is where it seems to be effected.
Alternatively i shall look out for a decent lens. does anyone know what else will fit the HD1200s? [Wink]

Posted by Paul Browning (Member # 2715) on July 21, 2016, 07:00 AM:

Tom I have an elmo lens about the same as yours, with this age old problem, so I will make a special box spanner to fit it and we can have go at getting the front lens a part to clean. You can buy the kits on flea bay, but I don't trust them to do the job, you will need to get this off in one shot or the slots will be chewed up trying. I think they are lock tighted in, so some kind of solvent will be needed to release that off first.

Posted by Tom Photiou (Member # 130) on July 22, 2016, 06:46 AM:

Good shout Paul, let me know how you get on. I'm very nervous about doing this as once its broken thats it. Just getting that front section done would make all the difference. [Wink]

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