Disassemble Kodak 35RF lens?

[j-dogg]

Got some pretty good haze in the lens which showed up on the test roll......how do I get it apart?

I've done a moderate CLA on it already, but just in case I can't, who works on these?

 

[j-dogg]

also thanks mods for moving, saw that board before it was too late

 

[farlymac]

I've never had the pleasure to. Could be a bit finiky, what with the rangefinder gearing and all.

PF

 

[Mr_Flibble]

The RF-follower arm catches on the cam on the focus ring of the front lens element. You'll need to take the top off the camera in order to get the arm out of the way far enough to unscrew the lens.
(remember DO NOT PULL THE WINDING KNOB OFF THE TOP PLATE, unless you like feeding the carpet monster with some 2mm bearings and spring)
Second lens group is a real pain to get out though. You'll need a friction pad or drill holes in the lens bezel to get a proper grip on the darn thing.

 

[Uglee]

So, how do you put those bearings and springs back when you unsuspectingly take off the winding knob? It seems to work fine with out them but it would be nice to put them back where they belong.

 

[j-dogg]

I figured out how to get the front lens off. Was pretty easy and I knew that's where my cloudy substance was. Gave it a good spraydown and clean, however there still appears to be some left on it. Was it a two-element design? Am I missing something here?

Rear element is flawless.

 

[Mr_Flibble]

So, how do you put those bearings and springs back when you unsuspectingly take off the winding knob? It seems to work fine with out them but it would be nice to put them back where they belong.

It's a bit tricky getting all 3 sets back in, but it can be done with a little patience. You'll have to remove the take-up spool and stem to give you more room to work with.

Insert one of the cylindrical bearing in the opening first (on the left side. the flat sides should be pointing towards the top and bottom of the camera).

Then compress the spring with a pair of tweezers and insert it (right side of the cylinder).

The spring pressure should keep the bearing in place while you insert the other sets.

Reinstalling the take-up spool and winding knob. You might have to carefully turn the knob in direction of the arrow it if it doesn't seat straight away.


Hope that helps. 😉


J-Dogg. The Anastigmat Special / Anastar had two lens elements in the front lens unit. Might be the fog is between them. Never had those apart myself.

 

[rjbuzzclick]

Gah! I've got to stop reading posts like these. Now my 35RF is apart on my workbench (see recent Werra post) in yet another attempt to get the shutter working.

 

[Uglee]

Thank you Mr. Fibble. When the bearings fell out I had no idea just where they came from. I am now looking forward to finally finishing that project.

 

[Mr_Flibble]

Without the bearings you can turn the winding knob in both directions. That can lead to all kinds of problems with frame spacing and tearing up the sprocket holes and even the complete film inside the camera.
I had to replace missing bearings and springs in both a military Kodak 35 and a 35RF I was restoring for someone.

Except for opening the shutter the camera is pretty easy to take apart and put back together.

 

[j-dogg]

J-Dogg. The Anastigmat Special / Anastar had two lens elements in the front lens unit. Might be the fog is between them. Never had those apart myself.

That appears to be the case, and no spares on fleabay. If I can figure out how to get it apart I can clean it.

It's a little better than it was but I want to get that squared away before I put in my test roll