olympus 35 spn remove front lens element

[milosdevino]

Does anyone know how to remove the front lens element?
I have been researching it and apparently the retaining ring is glued on.
This is because it has only one lens spanner slot and not two.
If this is right, how on earth do I get it off without destroying it and all around it?
I have tried unscrewing it with the one slot, but it won't budge. I've also tried the friction technique to no avail.
I'm stuck.
Any one else done this?

 

[Maiku]

I do not know, but I recall from conversation with a camera repairman in Japan that he said removing the lens elements in an Olympus SP or SPn is trickiest job on any of the fixed Japanese rangefinders.

If you try be careful.

 

[Sid836]

This might be of help:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/cannelbrae/sets/72157625285946754/

If the retaining ring is hard to turn try some drops of lighter fluid on it.

 

[milosdevino]

"removing the lens elements in an Olympus SP or SPn is trickiest job on any of the fixed Japanese rangefinders."

That would be right, just my luck.

I'll try lighter fluid like Nikos suggested.
If not, it may have to stay dirty.

 

[splitimageview]

after 40 years that glue is seemingly molecularly bonded. 🙁 I have done this once and it was a bear. Good luck...