Haze in Serenar 35mm f/3.5

[bgetty]

Hey folks,

Recently picked up a Serenar 35 3.5 from a friend and it's got some pretty serious haze inside...probably to be expected. I sent Youxin an email asking if he'd tend to it, but I'm curious if there are any other options for a cleaning? Youxin has yet to respond.

Input is appreciated as always!

Thanks,
BG

 

[Mackinaw]

Many Canon LTM lenses are amazingly easy to take apart. If you have the right tools (mainly a lens spanner), disassembly and assembly is a breeze. I have a Canon 50/1.2 that needs a periodic cleaning. I can take apart the lens, clean and reassemble, in less than ten minutes. If you're up to it, you may want to try to clean your 35/3.5 lens yourself.

Jim B.

 

[charjohncarter]

I had haze and had it cleaned in my 35mm Canon f3.5. It is back I can't figure it out. But it is serious and causes me to not use it. At this point I'll be taking Mackinaw's point.

 

[Spavinaw]

Just checked my Serenar 35mm f/3.5 for haze and sure enough there was some there. Not surprising since it does this every so often. Got out my spanner and unscrewed the black ring on the back with the two slots in it. Now the lens body can be separated into two parts. Unscrewed the back lens group with my fingers, cleaned the inner surface, and put it all back together. It really is a ten minute job.
I have a number of Canon lenses and the only other one that I ever have to clean is the 50mm f/1.5.

 

[charjohncarter]

Thanks for that information Spavinaw.

 

[bgetty]

Thanks for that information Spavinaw.

Ditto here.

I'm not equipped with a lens spanner at the moment, but I'd like to give the cleaning a go when I stumble upon one. Youxin quoted me $70 for the job, just in case anyone was curious.

Any DYI spanner ideas in the meantime? I don't want to fudge the lens by jimmying it apart with something silly, but if there's an affordable, homecooked way of approaching this, I'm all ears.

Thanks all.

 

[Mackinaw]

For $70.00 send it to me.

Basically, you can use anything that will fit into the slots. I've heard of people using needle-nosed pliers with the points filed down to size, forceps, I've ever heard of a fork being used (with some if the tines removed).

This really is an easy job. Remember that these lenses were designed to be assembled easily on production line. Just take your time, take notes, and have at it.

Jim B.

 

[Spavinaw]

Scissors are another possible spanner substitute. You may have to file down the tips of the blades to fit the slots. The simplest thing I can think of would be simply a piece of flat sheet metal of the right thickness and width to fit in the slots.

 

[charjohncarter]

Scissors are another possible spanner substitute. You may have to file down the tips of the blades to fit the slots. The simplest thing I can think of would be simply a piece of flat sheet metal of the right thickness and width to fit in the slots.

When I looked at my lens I thought of just a flat sheet of metal. This slotted screw, nut, bolt ?? is one with very easy access.

 

[charjohncarter]

I did mine: success. Just mark: put the lens into infinity lock and marking pen that will line up with the outer part. Undo the inner ring; clean as above, and I also opened the aperture and cleaned the front surface. Reassemble, and use. I know I will have to do it again as there is oil on the aperture leafs.