Minox 35 GT Lens Smudge Problem

[never]

Hello,

On my Minox 35 Gt's lens has a "permanent" smudge. its not a fingerprint or oily one. i couldnt clean it and it doesnt seem to be cleaned.

i tried lens cleaner fluid, lens pen.. no way..

does it effect photos? and What is it like that? and what is your advises about cleaning?

Thanks

This thread copied from here: http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=80753

 

[pvdhaar]

It's hard to diganose from the pictures, and it could be anything including fogging on the inside of the front element. But be careful in disassembling for cleaning, as the Minox uses front-cell movement (as opposed to helicoid extension) to focus. In front cell focussing, the distance between the front element and the other 3 is varied by tiny amounts, instead of racking the whole lens in/out.

It's very very difficult to put it back together correctly and have it focus exactly according the distance scale because of the smaller than usual tolerances..