How to remove the rear lens group of rolleiflex 2.8c/d/e

[januaryabc]

Hello. Does someone know the proper way of removing the rear lens group of rolleiflex 2.8c ? Mine has some fungus grow on it and so I plan to screw it down for cleaning the elements. However, there is no slot on the group for lens spanner and there is also a bellow structure which I dont know how it will come off. Please see the photos. I also noted that the bellow here seems similar to the one for 2.8E. Grateful if someone can share their knowledge on the steps/tools to remove it.

 

[Alex Varas]

In this case the only way to remove the rear lens is dismounting the front plate, those bellows are attached as well to the rear part of the shutter.

But you still can clean the rear lens without taking it out, I hope you have small hands or use a cotton swab wrapped with lens tissue. For the rear element just go as you see in the photo, if the fungus is in the inner side, remove the front lens, open the shutter in B mode and lock it, then you have that side exposed for cleaning.

 

[januaryabc]

I did clean the element with the side facing the shutter and the side facing the film compartment, but there is still some on the inner side of the two elements. In fact I tried to take out the lens board but it is attached to the body by the bellow. Is it correct to just pull it out with some force and the bellow will then leave the body?

 

[Alex Varas]

Bellows are fitted into the camera body, they are slip-in type, pulling the front lens out will tear the bellows, your have to push them from the film chamber, it’s quite tricky and requires patience and steady hand, cover the rear lens for protection and be careful with the bellows. If you do extend the lens so bellows wont be near.

I can’t recall if the rear lens can be opened for further cleaning, be sure this can be done before proceed otherwise it will be worthless.

 

[januaryabc]

Thanks. It can be opened for cleaning as I already saw the retaining ring with two holes from the shutter side.

 

[Alex Varas]

Part of the exploded view you have an idea.

 

[Dan Daniel]

Here is a photo of an older set of the bellows. You'll see three 'clips' of a sort on this set. If you look at Alex's diagram, you'll see the bellows on the left with a multitude of small clips that run continuously around the back edge. Same idea but more common. Your photo of your bellows shows the multiple clips. There is a small groove that the clips go into in the lens board.

The front of the bellows screws into the back of the lens mount. I've seen a few caseswhere it is actually possible to unscrew the bellows from the lens while in place- extend lens (bellows) and take a dental pick or such and start playing with the little tabs and see if it will rotate counter-clockwise.

A dental pick or such with a little hook can be used to unclip the bellows in place. Extend lens again for room. Start prodding and pushing. Best to protect the rear lens surface with something in case pick slips. If you get one to move forward, stop and go to the other side or 120 degrees around to avoid jamming it by getting it at too extreme an angle.

Rollei in general was very well-thought out and well-executed, but these bellows were simply a dumb idea. It gets even more fun if the fabric has rotted or torn and you need to replace them- arghhhh...

 

[januaryabc]

Thanks for all of your sharing. I managed to detached the bellow and cleaned the lens. I also discovered some holes in bellow and have them covered with some acrylic black paint. The next challenge will be install it back to the body.