Removing fungus from a Rokkor-m 40mm

[Kamph]

Hello everyone!

A few weeks ago I picked up a lovely Minolta CLE with a mint looking Rokkor-M 40mm (the late CLE version) for an absolut bargain. The only problem is that the lens exhibit some fungus on the front and back element. I've succesfully removed similar looking fungus from other lenses before, but most of the lenses were cheap anyways, so had I done anything wrong it wouldn't have mattered all that much to me. This lens, however, I really don't want to damage. Do any of you have experience with disassembling this specific lens? What would I need to do in order to get to the front and back elements - is it a simple procedure?

 

[mcfingon]

I have dismantled a Minolta 50/1.4 lens and cleaned most of the fungus from it. It was beautifully made and the only tool needed was a lens spanner. This article talks about the 40 Leica lens which I believe is the same physical design:
http://www.jumboprawn.net/jesse/cams/gear-profiles/leica-summicron-40mm.html

 

[Kamph]

Thanks, mcfingon! 🙂 That article is very helpful indeed, however, I would still appreciate some first hand experience in accessing the front and back elements - the article dosen't mention how this is done unfortunately!

 

[blumoon]

I have good results using these to take the plastic ring off, and they can remove the rear element too sometimes:
https://www.amazon.com/Japan-Vacuum-Camera-Opener-Repair/dp/B0013HFYKK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1468324617&sr=8-1&keywords=lens+tools

This set looks better, but costs a bit more:
https://www.amazon.com/Tera-Rubber-Repair-Filter-Removal/dp/B00UT1F7EO/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1468324617&sr=8-5&keywords=lens+tools

They're a bit less on Ebay:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/9in1-Camera-Lens-Repair-Tool-Rubber-Set-Ring-filter-Removal-Spanner-Wrench-DSLR-/162118080676?hash=item25befd98a4:g😛kYAAOSwgyxWWyeq

 

[Sarcophilus Harrisii]

I cover so much virtual photographic ground on the web that I cannot always recall the specifics, but, I do have a recollection of reading that some of the MC lenses such as the 58mm f/1.4 may have reasonably soft internal coatings. Don't take that as gospel, please, (as I'd have to try to find the source, if possible). But take it as a heads up to be fairly gentle with any internal cleaning process you carry out on your Rokkor, if keeping it in optimum condition really matters to you--just in case. 😉
Cheers,
Brett

 

[mcfingon]

With the 50/1.4 Minolta I got the front ring off with a rubber bung that was the right size into which I'd cut a hole so it didn't hit the glass. The rear element was accessed using lens spanners bought from eBay. I'll attach a picture of these inexpensive tools in a minute (or two).

 

[mcfingon]

Bung and spanner kit used to dismantle Minolta 50/1.4 front and rear elements: