Zeiss 50mm f2 collapsible Contax-mount Sonnar disassembly

[Biggles]

Anyone ever detail-stripped and successfully reassembled a 50 f2 collapsible Zeiss Sonnar in Contax rangefinder mount? I have one with a good bit of what looks like oil fog inside it. The iris works very smoothly; just want to get in there and steam-clean the glass.

I have a strong light, a work surface relatively free of crumbs, and a fine selection of ball-peen hammers. Should I attempt this?

 

[Pherdinand]

steam-clean the glass? What's that?

 

[wyk_penguin]

I thought heating the old lenses wasn't a good idea. They say the cemented elements will de-cement when heated. And Zeiss does like to cement large blocks of glass.

 

[iphoenix]

Anyone ever detail-stripped and successfully reassembled a 50 f2 collapsible Zeiss Sonnar in Contax rangefinder mount? I have one with a good bit of what looks like oil fog inside it. The iris works very smoothly; just want to get in there and steam-clean the glass.

I have a strong light, a work surface relatively free of crumbs, and a fine selection of ball-peen hammers. Should I attempt this?

I suspect that this old post was written with "tongue in cheek"; however I also have a pre-war 50/2 Sonnar with medium/light fogging and would like to know firstly: Is it a feasible project for a "non-expert" to clear it and secondly; How it could be done if I felt sufficiently confident to do it, after your answer/s to question one?

Also, given that the glass all appears to be in excellent condition, would it be worthwhile/cost-effective to have the lens coated?

Rgds,

David

ps: I have an early, non focussing Contax/LSM converter that I would like to use between this lens and my IIIF.

 

[richardHaw]

yes, i have completely overhauled one myself 😱😱😱

may make an article for that on my repair blog

 

[iphoenix]

yes, i have completely overhauled one myself 😱😱😱

may make an article for that on my repair blog

Thanks Richard, I'll keep an eye open for it.

David

 

[Philip Whiteman]

I too would be interested in learning about dismantling one of these lenses, Richard - I have two that may well clean up nicely (my one unfogged one works beautifully) but I have had no luck in dismantling them...