Is this fungus on the taking lens? - Rolleiflex 2.8 C

[twotroy]

My first time with a ROLLEIFLEX 2.8 C - noticed these marks on the taking lens. Is this fungus or lens separation? The mark around the lens eems to be around where the lens is mounted to the body. I'm not sure if this can be cleaned by a CLA - I've attached photos of the taking lens

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[JeffS7444]

I wonder of the edge of those lens elements are painted black,and whether that paint has deteriorated.

 

[twotroy]

I didn't think about the possibility of paint loss. It's visible all around the lens mount -

 

[teddy]

The lens housing cylinder's black paint or coating is deteriorating.
Get a nice hood for the taking lens and it may improve contrast if in case it is affecting the image.

 

[Dan Daniel]

Hard to say what that is. Could be Schneideritis (yes, a real slang term for edgep aint problems on lenses), but that usually shows as dots. And in maybe 8 2.8Cs I've handled I have never seen either classic dots or the effect you are showing in a Xenotar.

Maybe cement flaws-

https://richardhaw.com/2016/11/12/repair-shneideritis-edge-separation/

If you just bought it and there was no warning of this problem, and you paid top dollar, I would probably return it and get a cleaner sample of a 2.8C.

 

[SyPat]

it's painting deterioration or separation (cement cracking), maybe both.

 

[Huss]

Looks like someone may have taken it apart resulting in paint damage.

 

[twotroy]

I really appreciate all the help and feedback. I'm suspecting as others have mentioned that the paint/cement is wearing off and/or someone had worked on it at some point which caused the issue. Hard to tell since the body and other functionality is clean and working.

I would prefer to have a scratched body than one with issues on the taking lens. I am arranging to see if I can return it an get my money back and look out for another one with a better lens condition

 

[twotroy]

Thank you - this information was very helpful

Hard to say what that is. Could be Schneideritis (yes, a real slang term for edgep aint problems on lenses), but that usually shows as dots. And in maybe 8 2.8Cs I've handled I have never seen either classic dots or the effect you are showing in a Xenotar.

Maybe cement flaws-

https://richardhaw.com/2016/11/12/repair-shneideritis-edge-separation/

If you just bought it and there was no warning of this problem, and you paid top dollar, I would probably return it and get a cleaner sample of a 2.8C.

 

[teddy]

I really appreciate all the help and feedback. I'm suspecting as others have mentioned that the paint/cement is wearing off and/or someone had worked on it at some point which caused the issue. Hard to tell since the body and other functionality is clean and working.

I would prefer to have a scratched body than one with issues on the taking lens. I am arranging to see if I can return it an get my money back and look out for another one with a better lens condition

Shoot a roll in it first. You might be surprised.

 

[twotroy]

Yep - Just finished a test roll. Setting up in the next day or two to develop it and see if it has any effect on IQ

 

[twotroy]

Out of further curiously I looked into this camera by searching the serial# that starts with 1270X- I purchased it identified as 2.8C with a Schneider Xenotar taking lens - It has a cement markings on the lens/body mount as I mentioned on my initial post with photos.

New discovery:
1: The Serial number of this camera on the top of the viewfinder starts at 1270XXXX
2: Based on the Rolleiflex serial number database a 1270xxx serial number is showing that a 2.8C camera would have a "CZ Planar" lens and NOT a Xenotar lens - here is the link to the serial number

Rolleiflex 2,8 C serial number info:
Start at № - 1,260,250
End at № - 1,285,999
Produced: 1954-1955
Name according to Prochnow: Rolleiflex 2,8 C - From No. 1,267,000 groove in - tripod plate for Rolleifix.
Taking Lens: CZ Planar
Name acc. to Parker: Rolleiflex 2.8C
Name acc. to Evans: Rolleiflex 2.8C (type 1)

**Serial numbers between 1292xxx and 1475XXX are the ONLY ones that have a "Schneider Xenotar" taking lens
Unless I'm missing something here -
1: ...perhaps the reason why there are prominent markings on the taking lens mount could be a result of someone modifying it
2: and/or...maybe the viewfinder which has the serial# engraved on it was swapped out from a different body.
Either way something is not adding up here and i might be dealing with a "frankenstein" 2.8 C TLR camera. Doesn't pass the smell test here....

I just wanted to share my findings ...thanks in advance.

here is the serial number reference website that I used to look up the info
https://rolleigraphy.org/sn80.php#c

 

[Dan Daniel]

I'm not convinced that there is any definitive record of serial numbers and lenses for Rolleiflexes. For example, this site says Xenotar and then Planar-

http://www.rolleiclub.com/cameras/tlr/info/A-F_tlr.shtml

I have two Xenotars in the 127xxxx series on 2.8Cs. It's not easy to Frankenstein most Rolleis. Lens makers had their own mountings requiring specific front bayonet fittings and such.

 

[twotroy]

Thanks Dan - yes, it appears that the Rolleiflex serial number lists can vary online. It's reassuring to know that you have a 2.8C with the 127XX serial # like mine. I will walk-back some of my earlier comments in my last post. I might have made some quick assumptions based on the conflicting info that I saw. Are yours also Xenotars?

I'm not convinced that there is any definitive record of serial numbers and lenses for Rolleiflexes. For example, this site says Xenotar and then Planar-

http://www.rolleiclub.com/cameras/tlr/info/A-F_tlr.shtml

I have two Xenotars in the 127xxxx series on 2.8Cs. It's not easy to Frankenstein most Rolleis. Lens makers had their own mountings requiring specific front bayonet fittings and such.