I recently acquired a lens that appears to have some'defects' in the cement between two of the elements. It looks like dried "water droplets". I think someone here had a supply of balsam available and had offered to sell a small amount. I have tried searching, but can't find the post. Any help would be appreciated!
Also, If anyone else had attempted such a task successfully, any tips would be appreciated as well.
The lens is a Novoflex Noflexar 40 cm f 5.6.
Thanks in advance
olemikey
Loc: 6 mile creek, Spacecoast Florida
jeweler53 wrote:
I recently acquired a lens that appears to have some'defects' in the cement between two of the elements. It looks like dried "water droplets". I think someone here had a supply of balsam available and had offered to sell a small amount. I have tried searching, but can't find the post. Any help would be appreciated!
Also, If anyone else had attempted such a task successfully, any tips would be appreciated as well.
The lens is a Novoflex Noflexar 40 cm f 5.6.
Thanks in advance
I recently acquired a lens that appears to have so... (
show quote)
I'd like to know that, I've several that remain disassembled because of that issue (on the back burner till correct product/source is found) I'll admit to not having looked very hard!!. With all of the newer types of cement available, there must be compatible alternatives. I've earmarked this post, if I find anything out I'll share.
I just watched a video of disassembly and cleaning of elements on that lens, neat old lens. His issue was solved with a good cleaning, lucky dog!! Most of mine are more modern, with AF/VC, circuit boards, zoom mechanisms, etc.
Did you actually disassemble the lens? Sometimes they look way worse than they turn out, and can simply be cleaned/polished. Anyway, good luck with your efforts.
mike
The "lens module" separates from the aperture module and body. I have cleaned it front and back, but I think the problem is inside. Can you post the link to the video please? info on these lenses is sparse at best. Mine is the "A" version. There were apparently a B and C version as well as a C variant that had a coated lens.
olemikey
Loc: 6 mile creek, Spacecoast Florida
jeweler53 wrote:
The "lens module" separates from the aperture module and body. I have cleaned it front and back, but I think the problem is inside. Can you post the link to the video please? info on these lenses is sparse at best. Mine is the "A" version. There were apparently a B and C version as well as a C variant that had a coated lens.
Youtube is your friend - try this -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DiVOStMBkFY - If it doesn't work right I just googled; ( Novoflex Noflexar 40 cm f 5.6 ) and found several on that lens series.
Hopefully yours is in a similar condition and it's an easy fix. It is long and slow, but pay attention to how he separates the elements. Good luck!! Let us know how it turns out.
olemikey
Loc: 6 mile creek, Spacecoast Florida
olemikey
Loc: 6 mile creek, Spacecoast Florida
Just been out shooting with my old Tokina 80-400 AF zoom. Finally tore it down and cleaned it. It looked brand new on the outside, but inside was a mess when looking through it, even worse with a IR flashlight. I thought I had the same problem with bad elements/delamination or fungus in the focus stack. Turned out to just be really dirty elements (20 yrs. of acumulation) - took all apart and cleaned with 91% alcohol, then lens cleaner, and a good micro-fiber polishing. Cleaned the barrels and anything I could get to. Lubed the zoom guides with a wax lube, gears too. Very happy with the outcome! It is an old Minolta/Sony A-mount and on my A58 today it was doing it's thing, AF and all. I think I have around $50.00 in it!
Again, good luck with yours, if you need the odd assist, feel free to PM me and I'll help if I can. I really enjoy talking/sharing with other DIY photogs.
mike
Some of the "old stuff" is still capable of pretty good images. It's fun to bring it back to life. When I first ran across the member her who had some balsam I was thinking about buying an old 5.8 cm Nikkor f1.4. I didn't end up buying it, but it had the same problem (only really bad). One day I'll maybe run across another one. I have one 85mm f2.8 "soft focus" lens made from a converted slide projection lens. It works just great.
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02226a.htmYou may need to talk to a Catholic diocese to find a source for balsam! They buy it, bless it and use it for baptisms, etc.
Just make sure they don't think you want to buy their blessed balsam to fix a lens!
olemikey
Loc: 6 mile creek, Spacecoast Florida
radiojohn wrote:
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02226a.htm
You may need to talk to a Catholic diocese to find a source for balsam! They buy it, bless it and use it for baptisms, etc.
Just make sure they don't think you want to buy their blessed balsam to fix a lens!
Ahh yes Father, please bless my blessed balsam lens!!!
Holy smokes that's a great photo!
If you want to reply, then
register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.