Repairing Classic Lense

[Will]

Hello,

Ever come across some 1950s lense with a bad front or rear element but the rest are good?

It had happened to me a few times, the lens are generally good and the price are cheap.

I know some of them are beyond repair, but with these classic lense, can you acturally swap the elements to make up a good lens?

Any input welcome.

Cheers





Will

 

[ClaremontPhoto]

Culture and customs vary. But this is what I've done in London:

Go to the seller and explain your concerns. Ask to use the lens to take a few photos in the premises and a few outside the door. Not keepers but looking for focus accurarcy and contrast and so on. Any genuine seller will let you take the lens onto the sidewalk for a few minutes. Also take along a 'good' lens that you already have for the same camera and replicate the same shots with your own lens.

Look at the prints the next day. Compare their lens with your lens. Maybe the lens performs fine, maybe there's some problem and the price can be lowered, maybe they offer a CLA, maybe you decide 'No'.

 

[Will]

Hello Daniel,

There are two situations I am in.

1.) Dad left me a Cron'DR with a haze up rear element that can't be clean (sent to a experience repairman already) and I find a dirty cheap DR, but with a very large mark (5mm x 3mm) on the front element's coating. Want to see if I can swap that.

2.) CZ Collapsible Sonnar, heavy marks on the optics, just wonder if I can swap the elements with a rigid one.


Jon,

Honestly I really haven't done that for any of my purchases. I have a wish/buying list, and go window shopping every now and then, when I found one in the right price, then all hell broke lose. When I am in doubt usually I don't buy.

My dilemma is getting into those "fixer upper" situations, just don't feel confident doing that..




Will