klitton Posted November 15, 2008 Share #1 Posted November 15, 2008 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hello friends, I’m looking for a Leica Elmar 90mm f4 LTM Lens. I see a lot of these on ebay that say they are in good working order but have a little dust inside the lens. Some say the lens is a little hazy. Approximately how much would it cost to have someone take the lens apart, service if needed and clean the lens elements? Is it very expensive? I just need a rough estimate of cost. A lot of lenses appear to have very good exteriors and some say that they are in good working order, no fungus, maybe a couple of small cleaning marks but have haze or dust. Is it worth it to have one cleaned? Last, where is a good place to send a lens or a Leica body for repair in the US? Thanks for the help. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted November 15, 2008 Posted November 15, 2008 Hi klitton, Take a look here Lens Cleaning Cost?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
johnastovall Posted November 15, 2008 Share #2 Posted November 15, 2008 I have Golden Touch do my lens CLA's and it's been running US$125.00 per lens assuming that's all it needs. Sherry does excellent work. Here's list of shops which Leica Historical Society of America members have used. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
klitton Posted November 15, 2008 Author Share #3 Posted November 15, 2008 Thank you very much. I appreciate the information. Ken Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
doubice Posted November 15, 2008 Share #4 Posted November 15, 2008 Ken, Since you mentioned in the VIOOH thread that you are good with fixing things, you may be able to clean the 90mm Elmar yourself. They are quite plentiful and a cost of professional cleaning often exceeds their value, unless we are dealing with the rare 3-element version. Again - I have done this myself; the Elmar's optical unit disassemly is quite straightforward, again - with propper tools. Absolute cleanliness of your working area is essential so that dust does not find its way back into the lens during re-assembly. When cleaning the inside elements, I use a special solution for cleaning glasses (as in spectacles) and clean Q-tips. Be careful abut rubbing the glass too much - the interior coating is quite soft. Most of the time, the haze is on the elements facing the diaphragm blades and this should help: Mattete Projectette, Elamr 90 head fog reduction - Photo.net Leica and Rangefinders Forum Best, Jan Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
klitton Posted November 15, 2008 Author Share #5 Posted November 15, 2008 Jan, Thanks very much, you have been more than helpful. Thanks for the link. Ken Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
klitton Posted November 15, 2008 Author Share #6 Posted November 15, 2008 Jan, What type of special solution do you use? I think that any standard lens claening solution would be to harsh for the soft coating on interior optics. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
doubice Posted November 16, 2008 Share #7 Posted November 16, 2008 Advertisement (gone after registration) Ken, I confiscated my wife's cleaning solution - she's the one wearing glasses. Unfortunately, the solution is at home and I am in the office. If my feeble brain remembers, I'll look at it when home and will let you know. Another 'must have' for these projects is a can of compressed air - I get mine at Costco in packs of four. Careful with these - don't tilt the can when spraying, the propellent may come out with the air and leave marks on the optics...... Not good...... Best, Jan Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
klitton Posted November 16, 2008 Author Share #8 Posted November 16, 2008 I have a large cylinder of Carbon Dioxide that I use for airbrushing that is perfect for blowing dust away. Carbon dioxide contains no moisture so I'm good there and I have a pressure regulator on the tank. If you remember the solution let me know. If not thats ok as you have been a great help to me already. Ken Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
doubice Posted November 16, 2008 Share #9 Posted November 16, 2008 Ken, The cleaner goes by a very simple name - 'Eyeglass Cleaner' Multi Clean. Sold by Ronor International Inc. from Montreal. Made in China......... Hmmm...... Well, it worked. It is not to be used on contact lenses, which my wife did not wear and since she had a cataract surgery she does not wear glasses much anymore either - I guess that is why I was allowed to claim the bottle. I am sure that any optician or eyeglass suply store will have something similar. Best, Jan Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
giordano Posted November 16, 2008 Share #10 Posted November 16, 2008 I make my own cleaning fluid, mainly for spectacles but I have used it on lenses: about 50ml isopropyl alcohol (100% ethanol would do just as well, but don't use surgical spirit or methylated spirit) five or six drops of liquid detergent (the same as I use for dishes, "original" Mild Green Fairy Liquid) deionised water to 500ml. Doesn't seem to have done any harm in the five or ten years I've been using it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
klitton Posted November 16, 2008 Author Share #11 Posted November 16, 2008 Thanks everyone. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrew748 Posted January 18, 2009 Share #12 Posted January 18, 2009 Hi any chance of some UK Lens repair contact details please? i have a couple of R lens with mould Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stunsworth Posted January 18, 2009 Share #13 Posted January 18, 2009 ...any chance of some UK Lens repair contact details please? Malcolm Taylor. I've had a couple of things looked at by him. He can re-coat elements if necessary. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidStone Posted January 18, 2009 Share #14 Posted January 18, 2009 Hi any chance of some UK Lens repair contact details please? i have a couple of R lens with mould Try Optical Instruments (Balham) Ltd. - Manufacturing, Servicing and Repair of all types of Optical Instruments I've not used them recently, but they've done cleaning and recoating on Leica lenses for me in the past. David Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
zeitz Posted January 18, 2009 Share #15 Posted January 18, 2009 I had the exact same repair done to my 90mm Elmar by Focal Point. I believe it was about $ 110. I think the turn around was a week. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrew748 Posted January 19, 2009 Share #16 Posted January 19, 2009 Malcolm Taylor. I've had a couple of things looked at by him. He can re-coat elements if necessary. not having much success on google with that TryOptical Instruments (Balham) Ltd. - Manufacturing, Servicing and Repair of all types of Optical Instruments I've not used them recently, but they've done cleaning and recoating on Leica lenses for me in the past. David excellent many thanks and local too Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gravastar Posted January 19, 2009 Share #17 Posted January 19, 2009 not having much success on google with that Hi Andrew, Malcolm Taylor Upper Lye Farm Aymestrey Leominster HR6 9SZ tel: 01568 770542 He's just renovated an 85mm Summarex of mine and is now in the process of cleaning a 35mm pre ASPH Summilux. I'll probably send him a couple of foggy 50mm f1.5 Summarits for the same treatment. Bob. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Hughes Posted January 28, 2009 Share #18 Posted January 28, 2009 Can I add Newton Ellis and Co, 29 Cheapside, Liverpool, L2 2DY (Te: 0151 236 1391)? They completely stripped, cleaned etc etc a Leica Standard for me and the Technician doing it phoned to ask if I wanted the lens stripped and cleaned as he thought it was needed. It cost an extra £20 plus VAT for the Elmar to be done. He made the comment that the old uncoated ones usually are easy to do and turn out well. Certainly I've no complaints after putting a roll of Kodak's B&W through it. (And they did a 1940's Weston Meter for me, very reasonably priced at £35 plus VAT etc. They said they could still replace cells on the post-war ones but it wasn't needed on my one, just a CLA... ) I've no connection with the firm and can also speak for CRR and Malcolm Taylor. We seem to be lucky in the UK with so many competent people about. Regards, David Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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