rjschell
Established
I recently picked up a Retina IIa. The lens looked clear until I did the flashlight test and developed the first roll. Any suggestions on cleaning the haze?
Cleaning internal haze in Xenon lens
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KoNickon
Nick Merritt
Same problem for me with a IIa that I have. The front element comes off easily enough with a strap wrench -- with any luck your haze is located on the back of the front element or the front of the second. It appears the haze on mine is behind the second element, but I'm not sure how to remove that element.
Chris Sherlock
Established
The Xenon on the Retina IIa frequently shows haze. I used to think this was due to a deterioration of the cement layers in the front and rear groups, but I eventually took an affected lens, separated the cemented elements, cleaned away the remaining cement, and found that the haze was actually on the the surface of the lens that faces the shutter.
The haze does not clean off with any solvent and is most probably the result of a reaction of that particular type of optical glass with the atmosphere, and/or with the out-gassing solvents from lubricants used in the shutter.
So... for the Retina IIa at least, there is a strong case for hunting out a Rodenstock-lenses version to use instead.
Unlike with the Retina IIIc types, where Rodenstock lenses sometimes show separation in the cemented front group.
Regards, Chris
The haze does not clean off with any solvent and is most probably the result of a reaction of that particular type of optical glass with the atmosphere, and/or with the out-gassing solvents from lubricants used in the shutter.
So... for the Retina IIa at least, there is a strong case for hunting out a Rodenstock-lenses version to use instead.
Unlike with the Retina IIIc types, where Rodenstock lenses sometimes show separation in the cemented front group.
Regards, Chris
rjschell
Established
Chris- Thank's, you nailed it. The haze is in the rear surface of the front group. I resorted to gentle polishing with silver cream. There is lesser haze on the front of the rear group. Is is possible to remove these elements without removing the helical mechanism. By the way, the lens is quite usable as is.
JPD
Retina and Rollei user
I've seen that, but on a IIc with Heligon. I gave that camera away, which I regret today. I would have recemented it today, and gained that experience. 😉
rjschell
Established
I have treated the inside of the front element with silver polish - gentle, but persistent burnishing with a Q-tip (invented by Leo Gerstenzang in the 1920's). Amazing improvement on the image contrast!
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