Zeiss-Ikon Contessa front lens element removal

[kmack]

One of my co-workers just gave me a Contessa 35 (II) folder with the Synchro Compur.
Cosmetically the camera is a little rough, some leather is missing and the rangefinder window glass is cracked. Amazingly the shutter is working at all speeds. Even the light meter is working. The only problem that worries me is fungus on the inner surface of the front lens element.

Any one know the correct procedure necessary to remove the front element for cleaning?

This looks like it could be a great little user with a little TLC.

 

[Cheme]

I don't have a contessa, but I have several continas, which is the cheaper, meterless model. There is a small slot head around the outside of the front element. If you loosen this screw, thefront element will just unthread.

 

[jlw]

One of my co-workers just gave me a Contessa 35 (II) folder with the Synchro Compur.
Any one know the correct procedure necessary to remove the front element for cleaning?

According to the factory service instructions sent to me by a helpful RFFer, and a look at my own Contessa, the procedure is as follows:

-- Set the focus to infinity.

-- Remove THREE ludicrously tiny grubscrews in the sides of the front lens thread, accessible through the small holes you'll see in the outer rim.

-- Pull the lens ring straight out.

While doing this, be VERY careful not to disturb the coupling gears for the rangefinder "tower" behind the front element, and be sure to set the lens back to exactly the same infinity position when you reinsert it -- otherwise you can screw up the RF coupling, which is VERY hard to reset! (That's why I didn't try out these instructions myself to make sure they work.)

In fact, you might try a few test pictures before diving in. If they're good, you might want to just try to ignore the fungus.

Yes, this camera is a really worthwhile picture-taker when sorted. It's compact, solid, and easy to focus, and the f/2.8 Tessar lens is crisp.

 

[kmack]

-- Remove THREE ludicrously tiny grubscrews in the sides of the front lens thread, accessible through the small holes you'll see in the outer rim.

Thanks, I saw those and I was hoping I did not have to mess with them. 😱

I'll do the rest of the clean up and take your advise and run a test roll through it
to see if I really have to clean up the fungus.