LENS REPAIR

Tōrō

H
Tōrō

  • 0
  • 0
  • 8
Signs & fragments

A
Signs & fragments

  • 4
  • 0
  • 57
Summer corn, summer storm

D
Summer corn, summer storm

  • 2
  • 2
  • 58
Horizon, summer rain

D
Horizon, summer rain

  • 0
  • 0
  • 57

Recent Classifieds

Forum statistics

Threads
198,821
Messages
2,781,346
Members
99,717
Latest member
dryicer
Recent bookmarks
1

anthonym3

Member
Joined
May 26, 2019
Messages
361
Location
cheshire,ct
Format
Multi Format
I have a lens with a chip on a cemented element. Can anyone recommend a reputable repair person in U.S.?
 

Dan Fromm

Member
Joined
Mar 23, 2005
Messages
6,823
Format
Multi Format
Sorry to be negative, but your best bet is probably to get a better example. Second best bet, if you can get to the chip, is to blacken it with, e.g., India ink.
 
OP
OP

anthonym3

Member
Joined
May 26, 2019
Messages
361
Location
cheshire,ct
Format
Multi Format
I forgot to post a photo.here is the lens
20200126_101954.jpg
 

Dan Fromm

Member
Joined
Mar 23, 2005
Messages
6,823
Format
Multi Format
What is the lens?

Try India ink. Inexpensive, can be removed.
 

ic-racer

Member
Joined
Feb 25, 2007
Messages
16,546
Location
USA
Format
Multi Format
Sometimes when I do a repair like that, the donor lens is nicer than the broken one. In which case the broken lens gets some black paint on the affected area and is put aside as a spare. The donor lens is cleaned, re-assembled and put into service.
 
OP
OP

anthonym3

Member
Joined
May 26, 2019
Messages
361
Location
cheshire,ct
Format
Multi Format
Sometimes when I do a repair like that, the donor lens is nicer than the broken one. In which case the broken lens gets some black paint on the affected area and is put aside as a spare. The donor lens is cleaned, re-assembled and put into service.
Do you repair personally or for others? The lens is an AGFA 105mm 4.5 SOLINAR.
 

Dan Fromm

Member
Joined
Mar 23, 2005
Messages
6,823
Format
Multi Format
Hmm. If you replace, you'll replace the entire rear cell. This because the rear group is a cemented doublet that appears to be swaged into its mount.

The Solinar is a pretty average 105/4.5 tessar type, but not as common as many other similar lenses. I have no idea which camera it fits, but quite possibly other 105/4.5 tessar types will fit as well.

But first try India ink.
 
OP
OP

anthonym3

Member
Joined
May 26, 2019
Messages
361
Location
cheshire,ct
Format
Multi Format
What is the lens?

Try India ink. Inexpensive, can be removed.
Dan,the lens is a 105mm 4.5 solinar,I have posted a photo of the damage.
Hmm. If you replace, you'll replace the entire rear cell. This because the rear group is a cemented doublet that appears to be swaged into its mount.

The Solinar is a pretty average 105/4.5 tessar type, but not as common as many other similar lenses. I have no idea which camera it fits, but quite possibly other 105/4.5 tessar types will fit as well.

But first try India ink.
The camera is a 1948-49 AGFA BILLY COMPUR
 

Attachments

  • 20200126_101954.jpg
    20200126_101954.jpg
    661 KB · Views: 42

R.Gould

Member
Joined
Apr 22, 2010
Messages
1,752
Location
Jersey Chann
Format
Multi Format
I have lenses that are older than that with worse damage around the edge, and as long as it is on the front element I use hem as is, and no problems as long as you use a lens hood, I even have a old filter that got dropped and has damage much the same as the damage on your lens and again never cause problems or show up on negatives or prints so I would suggest that before you spend loads of money getting it repaired you try it as is, and if that fails the get a sharpie and carefully cover the damage
Richard
 

Dan Fromm

Member
Joined
Mar 23, 2005
Messages
6,823
Format
Multi Format
What would the possible effects be if left as is vs india ink?

You'll have to ask the lens to be sure. I have several lenses with similar chips, the usual effect with them is severe flare.

Thanks for the reply. Y'r Billy wants a Solinar, no other tessar type will be a good substitute.

If it doesn't have sentimental value, consider replacing it with another or with a Kodak Tourist with a 105/4.5 Anastar in Flash Supermatic. The Tourist's one drawback relative to the Billy is that it uses 620, not 120, film. The usual solution is respooling 120 film.

But first try India ink.
 

BradS

Member
Joined
Sep 28, 2004
Messages
8,120
Location
Soulsbyville, California
Format
35mm
....... Y'r Billy wants a Solinar, no other tessar type will be a good substitute.
.....


Is that because the flange focal length is...mmmm, unique? or something else?

I have (or used to have) an old Franka Rolfix with a 105mm lens, I think it is a radionar ??? but, it would not suit the OP's application...Is that correct?
 

Dan Fromm

Member
Joined
Mar 23, 2005
Messages
6,823
Format
Multi Format
Brad, that's right. There's no guarantee that any other lens' flange-focal distance will match the 105/4.5 Solinar in Compur (probably #0, but not guaranteed). That's why the Radionar (a triplet, which is irrelevant to this discussion) probably won't do.

Thinking of the Radionar, if you've shot it how does it do? I ask because many many years ago there was a sort of running joke about Radionars in, if I'm not mistaken, Modern Photography that used to be. The MPers regarded as a lens that passed light and formed an image, but never a good enough image.
 

Sirius Glass

Subscriber
Joined
Jan 18, 2007
Messages
50,364
Location
Southern California
Format
Multi Format
For myself, I would either use it as a bookend or paperweight and buy a replacement that is in much better condition. I would rather replace something like that than spend time making a less than perfect repair.
 
OP
OP

anthonym3

Member
Joined
May 26, 2019
Messages
361
Location
cheshire,ct
Format
Multi Format
For myself, I would either use it as a bookend or paperweight and buy a replacement that is in much better condition. I would rather replace something like that than spend time making a less than perfect repair.
It is in otherwise pristine condition that is why I would like to have it to be useful. An alternative I am going to try is to find one for a reasonable cost on E-BAY. That is where I bought this one for the very reasonable cost of $37.00 shipping included.
 

BradS

Member
Joined
Sep 28, 2004
Messages
8,120
Location
Soulsbyville, California
Format
35mm
Brad, that's right. There's no guarantee that any other lens' flange-focal distance will match the 105/4.5 Solinar in Compur (probably #0, but not guaranteed). That's why the Radionar (a triplet, which is irrelevant to this discussion) probably won't do.

Thinking of the Radionar, if you've shot it how does it do? I ask because many many years ago there was a sort of running joke about Radionars in, if I'm not mistaken, Modern Photography that used to be. The MPers regarded as a lens that passed light and formed an image, but never a good enough image.


Yup. That about sums it up. I have photographed with it. Got crummy results. Blamed the user. It has been at least a decade, but irrc, the focus was so far off that I had assumed there was something wrong with the lens or that a shim was missing between camera and shutter...I may dig around and see if I can find it.Maybe liberate the lens from camera and mount it in a makeshift lens board for the crown graphic and see what happens...

Thank you.
 
Photrio.com contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.
To read our full affiliate disclosure statement please click Here.

PHOTRIO PARTNERS EQUALLY FUNDING OUR COMMUNITY:



Ilford ADOX Freestyle Photographic Stearman Press Weldon Color Lab Blue Moon Camera & Machine
Top Bottom