Let it snow...

[jwd722]

Michigan has had a lot of snow this year and it seems as if my Rolleicord IV is celebrating.

This is the viewing lens and despite how bad it looks the view is still pretty good. My search has shown it to be possibly balsam separation while others say it is fungus. Searching also says it is common on Rolleicord IV's of which I have 2. This is on both front and rear lens elements. The other 'Cord is nowhere near as bad...yet.

Comments?

 

[koraks]

Looks like fungus to me. I'd start cleaning it off, see how that goes.

 

[jwd722]

Unfortunately the viewing lens does not allow elements to be separated since they are glued in and removing them could cause more problems.

 

[OAPOli]

Rollei used a triplet design for the viewer. So it can't be separation; no glue on the elements. This is likely fungus.

It should be possible to remove the individual lenses and clean them thoroughly. You need to remove the front panels to gain access to the viewing lens. You need to keep track of the orientation of the double concave middle element and of the two spacers. And you need to be able to collimate the viewing lens.

 

[jwd722]

Thanks for the comment. I had read that "unglueing" the elements using heat would likely cause them to separate and lose the orientation they were installed in if that makes sense. So if no glued elements are present, I may give it a try.
It would be nice to find a replacement viewing lens but I doubt many/any are out there.

 

[Dan Daniel]

Yes, three separate elements. Once you get the front cover off and the lens removed (check infinity focus first), the front part unscrews. Check around the side to see if there is a set screw for it. As OAPOli says, keep notes and photos on orientation of the spacers. And the middle element. When it first comes out, feel the surface on both sides; you can feel that one side is curved more but it is hard to see. I'll put an arrow on the side of element in pencil, also.

Soak all the glass in ammonia and hydrogen peroxide for a night. Then see what you have. The nice thing is that the viewing lens does not have to be in very good condition to work perfectly well.

Replacement lenses are out there. Drop me a message if you want to talk about one.

 

[jwd722]

Thanks Dan.
I will give it a go, got nothing to lose.