Cleaning spots on lens

Tjw · Dec 7, 2017

I just received a Rollei 35s in good shape. The seller (a camera store in America) says they completed a CLA before selling and I have every reason to believe them, mechanically it works well. When loading the first roll, I noticed these spots on the back of the lens:

Before doing anything, I wanted to ask for your advice. Is it fine to try and clean the spots off with lens cleaner? I've never cleaned the inside of a rangefinder lens before and I do not want to screw it up.

shutterfinger · Dec 7, 2017

I would contact the dealer and show them the photo of the spots you posted here. It could be an over site or something used in servicing the camera splattering when the shutter operated. It may continue until all the excess is gone.
Try cleaning the exterior of the lens with a clean heavyweight microfiber lens cleaning cloth (preferred) or lens tissue (second choice).
The rear cell can be removed by placing a lens spanner wrench into the notches 180° apart at 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock and turning counterclockwise. If it appears stuck apply acetone aka nail polish remover around the space between the shutter housing and the cell's barrel.
Count and record the number of turns it takes to unscrew and reinstall with the same number of turns.

Nodda Duma · Dec 7, 2017

They might have splattered it with the fluid out of canned air. I've done that before on optics and it looks the same. Easy to fix if that's on the outer surface.

Dampen a q-tip with 90% (or lab-grade if you have it) isopropyl alcohol or windex and wipe in a swirling motion with a minimal amount of pressure. Then gently blow off the lint with canned air. Your first pass will clean the spots but leave a smear when the alcohol (or windex) evaporates. Make additional passes with fresh q-tips damped with windex. Finish with a gentle puff of canned air to remove the lint.

You use q-tips so you can get closer to the edge of the lens (whatever's left at the very edge after cleaning won't affect performance).

Toss the q-tips when you've made a single pass ... don't reuse them (the q-tips are much cheaper than the optic).

Tjw · Dec 7, 2017

shutterfinger said:
I would contact the dealer and show them the photo of the spots you posted here. It could be an over site or something used in servicing the camera splattering when the shutter operated. It may continue until all the excess is gone.
Try cleaning the exterior of the lens with a clean heavyweight microfiber lens cleaning cloth (preferred) or lens tissue (second choice).
The rear cell can be removed by placing a lens spanner wrench into the notches 180° apart at 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock and turning counterclockwise. If it appears stuck apply acetone aka nail polish remover around the space between the shutter housing and the cell's barrel.
Count and record the number of turns it takes to unscrew and reinstall with the same number of turns.

Nodda Duma said:
They might have splattered it with the fluid out of canned air. I've done that before on optics and it looks the same. Easy to fix if that's on the outer surface.

Dampen a q-tip with 90% (or lab-grade if you have it) isopropyl alcohol or windex and wipe in a swirling motion with a minimal amount of pressure. Then gently blow off the lint with canned air. Your first pass will clean the spots but leave a smear when the alcohol (or windex) evaporates. Make additional passes with fresh q-tips damped with windex. Finish with a gentle puff of canned air to remove the lint.

You use q-tips so you can get closer to the edge of the lens (whatever's left at the very edge after cleaning won't affect performance).

Toss the q-tips when you've made a single pass ... don't reuse them (the q-tips are much cheaper than the optic).

Thank you both for the responses. I am going to using some isopropyl to clean it and see what happens. When I receive a new-to-me camera, the last thing I want to do is start messing with it before asking around for advice so thank you again. Hopefully the spots are easily removed but if not, I am prepared to remove the glass and get this fixed. Cheers

cooltouch · Dec 9, 2017

Let us know your results, Tjw.

Sirius Glass · Dec 9, 2017

shutterfinger said:
I would contact the dealer and show them the photo of the spots you posted here. It could be an over site or something used in servicing the camera splattering when the shutter operated. It may continue until all the excess is gone.
Try cleaning the exterior of the lens with a clean heavyweight microfiber lens cleaning cloth (preferred) or lens tissue (second choice).
The rear cell can be removed by placing a lens spanner wrench into the notches 180° apart at 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock and turning counterclockwise. If it appears stuck apply acetone aka nail polish remover around the space between the shutter housing and the cell's barrel.
Count and record the number of turns it takes to unscrew and reinstall with the same number of turns.

Sage advice. Shutterfinger has done some great repair work for me.

Cleaning spots on lens

Tjw

shutterfinger

Nodda Duma

Tjw

cooltouch

Sirius Glass

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