Cleaning the lenses on my Petri 7s

[jimk2000]

I got one of these models at a flea market for $20. The camera itself is in great shape. I have shot two rolls and love the feel, handling and weight of this camera. The one big problem is the old "cloudy/hazy' lens. So has anyone taken the lens apart on one of these cameras to clean them? If so how difficult is it or am I ressigned to spend $80 getting it cleaned. I downloaded a repair manual but it was not much help. Here are some images I got from the camera.

 

[charjohncarter]

Open the cameras back, put the shutter on 'B' with the aperture wide open, open the shutter, and shine a strong flash light though the lens while looking though the back. If you see, haze it has to be cleaned. You might try to clean the front and rear surfaces to see if that does it. If not you can remove the lens but that is a hassle.

 

[btgc]

It's not that bad as it is! I think your pictures have "dreamy look" Leica crowd mentions all the time 🙂

It also depends on which surfaces haze has deposited. You might need to screw out front group. It may be sufficient to clean only back surface of front group and front of back group, but probably you will need to dismantle more. I have opened front group to clean elements, but have not opened rear group so can't say on it's disassembly.

$80 is fair price from point of technician though I'd either get next 7S for $10 and check haze before payment (locally, that means) or keep this 7S as mood camera.