Rolleiflex 3.5E lens prob

Jrobinos19 · Apr 18, 2019

Hi! I'm new to the forum my uncle gave me a rolleiflex but the lens is dirty or haze. Tried to clean it with zeiss lens wipes but it won't go. What is this and how to clean it? Thanks for your help

Dan Daniel · Apr 18, 2019

You can try other solvents. Naphtha (lighter fluid). Window cleaner like Windex with ammonia. Alcohol. Use cotton swabs, simply moist, not dripping. DO NOT scrub at this point. Maybe let a moist swab sit for a minute to see if it dissolves anything.

Be patient. Go slow. Do not scrub and scour. Whatever it is may come off easily once you find the right solvent. Or it may be baked on there.

shutterfinger · Apr 20, 2019

Your breath and a heavyweight Microfiber lens cleaning cloth. You'll likely have to remove the front element and clean the inside surfaces as well.

ic-racer · Apr 20, 2019

Permanent damage.

KN4SMF · Apr 21, 2019

You won't believe this. 5 minutes ago I was thinking about my own Relleiflex 3.5E that has sat for years as an unfinished restoration project. Why? Because of the exact same problem yours has. And over the years I have tried everything to clear the lens. About 10 years ago I had decided to send it off for repolishing and recoating someday, when I had the money to do it. At that time, the one front element would have cost $200 for this service. The day I had the money never came, and that company is now out of business. My saga has gone on for about 18 years with this on my mind. I can certainly tell you to forget it. the lens is hopelessly ruined.

StepheKoontz · Apr 21, 2019

I would try various solvents, start with mild and work your way up. Even things like automotive brake or carburetor cleaner have worked for me. As someone else said, use cotton swaps and hopefully something will dissolve whatever it is, scrubbing is not a good idea. It's also a good idea if you start using harsher solvents to remove the lens element. When it's clear nothing is going to dissolve the haze, I've used cerium oxide glass polish, knowing I was removing the front coating, to make a lens usable again. It's better than throwing it away and I don't think one surface being uncoated is the end of the world.

KN4SMF · Apr 21, 2019

For what it's worth, I''ve tried the above methods, except fo the cerium oxide. I remember spending 3 or 4 nights in my easy chair with cotton swabs and toothpaste, scrubbing without caring anymore that I might be ruining it. Not a thing.The lens is etched Put it under a microscope and i believe you'll see it's actually pitted.

btaylor · Apr 21, 2019

Have you tried taking pictures with it? It is sometimes quite surprising how little a lens’s apparent defects have on an actual image.

StepheKoontz · Apr 21, 2019

btaylor said:
Have you tried taking pictures with it? It is sometimes quite surprising how little a lens’s apparent defects have on an actual image.

Pits and scratches I 100% agree, especially shooting with the sun behind you. If it's a haze/fog, that seriously kills contrast no matter how you use the camera.

Rolleiflex 3.5E lens prob

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