Removing haze from 90mm f/2.8 Elmar Ist Gen.

[erikhaugsby]

Here it is, my second equipment-repair thread of the hour:

I have an M-mount 90 f/2.8 Elmarit with the typical Leica haze behind the front element, and would like to remove it. Preferably myself, if it poses little threat to the soft coatings inside.
I, however, am unable to find any guides to actually cleaning haze off of glass elements; I am thus asking if there is anybody here who has personal experience doing this.

Finally, would it just be easier for me to fork over $50-80 and a few weeks to let somebody like Sherry clean it for me?

The latter option certiantly would be easier, but I really would like to learn how to do this myself.

 

[Ben Z]

I'm a pretty handy guy but my results taking apart lenses have been mixed. If your Elmar has spanner slots in ring holding the front element in place, it's easier. If not then you need a rubber stopper of just the right diameter, and it has to be hollowed out on the face so it has room for the curvature of the front element else it'll rub it. Then all you need to worry about is accidentally removing the coating when you clean off the haze. If the lens has coating marks already and you wouldn't be terribly upset if you ruined the lens, but if not then personally I'd let Sherry do it.

 

[arothaus]

Hello,

I've no experience with Leica lenses - but in a german forum there was recently a thread about "leica-haze". The haze could be corrosion of glas which cannot be removed.

Andreas

 

[Ronald M]

If it is a 90 4.0, it unscrews in front of the diaphragm. You can access the rear of the front element(s). This is where mine was hazy. I cleaned one surface.

Use a soft touch and very soft old linen handkerchief or microfiber cloth. Moisten with distilled water, progress to lens cleaner, then 50/50 hydrogen peroxide/alcholol, as necessary. Use a very light touch. Mine came out fine with water.

If it is a 2.8 elmarit, Ship to Sherry or DAG as the lens is too valuable for amateur work.