Repair Guide / Rolleiflex
Cleaning a Rollei Taking Lens
Removing haze, fungus, and lubricant contamination from the Rolleiflex 2.8F taking lens. When to clean and when to leave it alone.
Overview
The taking lens of a Rolleiflex 2.8F is a Zeiss Planar 80mm f/2.8. It's one of the best lenses ever made for medium format. It's also prone to haze, fungus, and lubricant contamination from the Synchro-Compur shutter that surrounds it.
Haze on the rear element is the most common issue. It usually comes from lubricant vapors from the shutter mechanism condensing on the glass over decades. The haze reduces contrast and can cause flare in backlit situations. It's almost always cleanable.
Fungus is less common but more serious. Fungus etches the glass coating and can cause permanent damage. In Florida, where the humidity is high, fungus is a real risk for cameras stored in non-climate-controlled conditions. If you see fungus, address it immediately.
The viewing lens -- the top lens on the Rolleiflex -- is less critical than the taking lens. Haze on the viewing lens affects the brightness of the image you see in the finder but doesn't affect the photograph. I clean it anyway, but it's lower priority.
Tools needed
Procedure
Assess the lens
Before disassembling anything, examine the lens carefully with a loupe in good light. Identify the location of the haze or fungus -- front element, rear element, or internal elements. Haze on the front element is often just dust and can be cleaned without disassembly. Haze on the rear element requires removing the lens from the camera.
Remove the lens from the camera
The taking lens is removed by unscrewing the retaining ring that holds it in the lens board. Use a lens spanner wrench. The ring is usually tight -- apply firm, even pressure. Once the ring is removed, the lens unit lifts out of the camera.
Access the rear element
The rear element of the Zeiss Planar is accessible after removing the rear element group. This is held in place by a retaining ring. Use a lens spanner to remove it. Work carefully -- the element is fragile and the coating is delicate.
Clean the rear element
Apply a small amount of Eclipse lens cleaning solution to a piece of optical tissue. Wipe the element in a circular motion from the center outward. Use a clean piece of tissue for each wipe. Check with a loupe after each pass. Repeat until the haze is gone.
Clean the front element
The front element is accessible without removing the lens from the camera. Use the same cleaning technique as the rear element. The front element is more exposed and may have more dust and fingerprints.
Address fungus
Fungus requires a stronger cleaning solution. A diluted mixture of hydrogen peroxide and ammonia (3% each) is effective for killing fungus. Apply with a cotton swab, allow to sit for a few minutes, then clean with Eclipse. If the fungus has etched the coating, the damage is permanent -- cleaning will remove the fungus but not the etching.
Clean the shutter blades
While the lens is disassembled, clean the Synchro-Compur shutter blades with naphtha on a cotton swab. This is also the source of the lubricant vapors that cause haze. Cleaning the blades reduces the likelihood of future contamination.
Reassemble and test
Reassemble the lens in reverse order. Verify that the shutter fires at all speeds. Check the focus accuracy by shooting a test roll. The lens should be sharp across the frame at all apertures.
Warnings
Do not use silicone-based cleaning solutions. They leave a residue that is difficult to remove.
Do not use excessive pressure when cleaning lens elements. The coating is delicate and can be scratched.
If the fungus has etched the coating, cleaning will not restore the optical quality. The element may need to be replaced.
In Florida, store cleaned lenses in a dry cabinet or with silica gel to prevent future fungus growth.
Notes
I clean Rolleiflex lenses regularly because I buy cameras that have been stored in Florida conditions. Haze is almost universal on cameras that have been stored in humid environments.
The viewing lens of the Rolleiflex is a separate unit and can be cleaned independently. The procedure is the same as for the taking lens.
After cleaning, I always run a test roll to verify that the cleaning hasn't introduced any new issues -- scratches, residue, or misalignment.
A Rolleiflex with a clean, properly adjusted lens is one of the best medium format cameras available. The effort of cleaning and servicing it is worth it.
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