[Leo.G (Leo)]

Thanks Glenn



I STUPIDLY put a Nikon lens out in the sun after reading all about it's the best way to kill most of the types of fungus in lenses. An 80-300mm and followed the instructions and put foil in the rear cap to reflect the sun back up the lens. I melted part of the lower lenses plastic internal structure after forgetting to check it in a short time period and I had it on my guided mount so I maximised the sun. I know better than to trust the internet!

The good part is I only paid $50 for the lens (genuine Nikon) and it still works like a charm. On a pension I can afford to mess up with a $50 lens.


Mostly I tend to strip the glass elements out and wash them with white vinegar which mostly works unless the fungus is between cemented lens elements. I've researched separating the elements but haven't been game to try it without the skill and technology to align and cement the pieces back together without air bubbles or faults. Plus quite often a lens with not too severe fungus can still produce fine images because the fungus so close to the sensor doesn't show up in the focal range.
First I'll wash the lens elements with soapy dish washing liquid, then white vinegar and most importantly a good soak,wash and rinse with distilled water. I mostly let them drain then wipe and polish as required.


This time I don't have any mouldy lenses but do have a 1960 (year of my birth) Zeiss Icon Colora which has a stuck film advance mechanism and stuck shutter button and self timer. All of this is done within the lens housing, I''ll post a good image later of the lens unit stripped down. I couldn't find relevant information on the particular camera or lens so went in with my trusty scalpel (fine straight blade screwdriver) and stripped the mechanism down. I now have a working shutter, timer and film advance lever once I get it al back together. Probably 15 hours of work but I'd never seen this mechanism before so it was a suck it and see job. It's something I've always excelled at no matter what despite my oft insistence I'm a hapless idiot.
The lens mechanism is back together, everything has been cleaned and lubricated very carefully with diabetes syringes I keep in packs (cheap at the pharmacy - I don't have diabetes and have never injected anything in my person in my life) for doing fine mechanical work and I'm keen to get the whole lot reassembled and have the camera in working condition.
I've started thinking I have another Zeiss Icon Contessa with the same problems and assuming it will be much the same mechanism.
I do have poor sight and I've never seen the level of complexity housed in the little lens itself so I utilised 4 pairs of various strength reading glasses stacked on top of each other to see. my son often offers to have a look for me and I usually playfully scream "I'm not blind you know!

It's a hobby, later model electronic lenses are so much easier I find, not the level of mechanical involved and being older cameras I can't find relevant information on I decided if I strip and rebuild them and get them functional I've gained, if not I still have the same non working old camera for the collection and display and have lost nothing but time. I learnt a lot doing this unit.

Now there's only a vacuous void in the ball that sits on my shoulders but my son is every bit as gifted as I was and every bit as smart (plus some) and he's always ready to lend a hand if needed.