p.1 #1 · Lens separation and recementing experiences?
Has anyone here sent off a lens to have elements recemented that had separated? Definitely not cheap, but I wonder if it's possible. Any stories welcome.
p.1 #5 · Lens separation and recementing experiences?
I really think cost/ability to get it done depends on the lens.
Old Rolleiflexes are notorious for lens separation which is why I sold my 2.8E Planar before that happened, and replaced it with a GX.
p.1 #6 · Lens separation and recementing experiences?
An old camera tech advised me to buy a Rolleiflex with a Schneider Xenotar because the front elements are not cemented. He had seen many f2.8 Planars with front group separations in his 50 years.
p.1 #8 · Lens separation and recementing experiences?
Cloud75 wrote:
Helpful comments only, please. I’m looking for cases where someone has done it, who they worked with, whether they would again.
Actually, I was repeating your question for a reason but admittedly I enclosed it in a humorous wrapper. I would think re-cementing lens elements is extremely difficult, nearly impossible without a manufacturer's equipment. The gap would seemingly need to be much smaller than the wavelength of the violet end of the spectrum or it would introduce color aberration. The elements would need to be aligned precisely to obtain the original focus behavior. Given how infrequently this is likely to be done, I would guess that few people can do it and it would be expensive. I would be delighted to be proven wrong.
p.1 #9 · Lens separation and recementing experiences?
I had a dear to me Tele-Rolleiflex that eventually started to separate around the taking lens.
I contacted Kanto camera in Japan to ask if they could repair it but heard nothing back.
I gave up and sold it for what it was worth at the time.
Then about 3 months after sale I did hear back from Kanto (this was in 2019):
[Tele Rolleiflex]
Overhaul Labor Charge : 60,000 JPY
Repair Cost for Fixing Separation : 10,000 JPY per one cemented elements
------------------------------------
Total : approx. 70,000 JPY (tax is not included)
Turnaround time : About 3 months presently.
I'll never know beyond that. I couldn't bring myself to buy another as I think they are all likely to experience separation eventually. A shame as such a wonderful camera (and lens.)
Good luck with whatever yours is, be patient if you try Kanto!!
p.1 #10 · Lens separation and recementing experiences?
Interesting. No rush, but I’ll ask kanto. I asked precision and they said no, and I asked truelens, but they only handle “high end broadcast cine” lenses. So, still digging.
p.1 #11 · Lens separation and recementing experiences?
If you haven't, might be worth reposting on the Leica/Alternative board. More traffic, and I'm 97% sure I searched for this on that board a few weeks ago when I noticed this issue with my Voigtlander SL (apparently common for them) and found that a few people had had success with [a shop I can't remember the name of, but it wasn't any of the ones mentioned in this thread]. Can't seem to find it again going through archives, so I'm not sure what search term I used, but somebody over there might remember. I think the post was from @freaklikeme ?
p.1 #12 · Lens separation and recementing experiences?
Lee Saxon wrote:
If you haven't, might be worth reposting on the Leica/Alternative board. More traffic, and I'm 97% sure I searched for this on that board a few weeks ago when I noticed this issue with my Voigtlander SL (apparently common for them) and found that a few people had had success with [a shop I can't remember the name of, but it wasn't any of the ones mentioned in this thread]. Can't seem to find it again going through archives, so I'm not sure what search term I used, but somebody over there might remember. I think the post was from @freaklikeme@ ?...Show more →
Sorry, it wasn't me. I don't own any lens precious enough to go through that process. I have purchased lenses with separation that have otherwise healthy bodies. They're good for donations of parts.
p.1 #13 · Lens separation and recementing experiences?
coogee wrote:
I had a dear to me Tele-Rolleiflex that eventually started to separate around the taking lens.
I contacted Kanto camera in Japan to ask if they could repair it but heard nothing back.
I gave up and sold it for what it was worth at the time.
Then about 3 months after sale I did hear back from Kanto (this was in 2019):
[Tele Rolleiflex]
Overhaul Labor Charge : 60,000 JPY
Repair Cost for Fixing Separation : 10,000 JPY per one cemented elements
------------------------------------
Total : approx. 70,000 JPY (tax is not included)
Turnaround time : About 3 months presently.
I'll never know beyond that. I couldn't bring myself to buy another as I think they are all likely to experience separation eventually. A shame as such a wonderful camera (and lens.)
Good luck with whatever yours is, be patient if you try Kanto!!...Show more →
That total would be about $450. Which is what a standard CLA for a Rolleiflex would cost in the US w/o dealing with lens separation.
p.1 #14 · Lens separation and recementing experiences?
I have had two copies of a Hasselblad 500mm tele-apo Tessar separate. I tried having one cemented, but the technician couldn’t separate the elements fully to do so. The next step would’ve been heat but that was risky so I decided not to so instead I bought a third one and it’s been good so far. I sold off the other two.. I sort of live in here every time I look at the third one. Apparently they have a history.
