[stillshot2]

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Below is a link to a photo showing some white spots on the inside of the front element of a lens I just bought when I let a flashlight shine through it. Does anyone know if this is fungus? Also, does anyone know how to remove the front element of this Tele Takumar 200 f5.6 so I can maybe try to clean it? They don't seem to affect the image quality but they do bother me a little.Thanks.


Untitled | stillshot2 | Flickr

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Last edited by stillshot2; 06-08-2017 at 01:15 PM.

[jatrax]

Definitely fungus. I think you can just unscrew the name plate and then disassemble from the front, but I'll let better informed posters give the real answer on that.

[robiles]

if it is on the back of the front element it should be easy to clean. Try using an m42 lens mount cap with some rubber between it and the front plate. I tried it on a takumar 28 3.5 and it worked great.

Wish you the best of luck, it is a superb lens that is worth repairing

[stillshot2]

Try using an m42 lens mount cap with some rubber between it and the front plate.

This was genius, I was able to get it off! But then there is another threaded ring holding the element in place with two slots for unscrewing it that are 180 degrees apart from each other. I am having trouble getting it off since I only have a small flat head screwdriver that fits in one of the two slots to remove the ring, and it is on pretty tight and I don't want to slip and scratch the lens. Is there a good way to remove this ring without the proper two pronged tool?

[boriscleto]

Spanner wrench substitutes - PentaxForums.com

[jatrax]

Spanner wrench. In a pinch try a pair of metal dividers or a pair of scissors. But spanner is safest and best.

[BigDave]

Although you can use things in a pinch, a real spanner wrench is the safest way to NOT scratch the front element. The wrenches are not that expensive. Here is a $14 one that comes out of CA:

Pro DSLR Lens Spanner Wrench Opening Tool For Camera Repair open Tools 15~100MM | eBay

Good luck!

[stillshot2]

I tried a pair of scissors that fit really well but even after quite a bit of force it didn't budge. I may have to purchase a spanners wrench. I was able to clean a lot of fungus off the front of the lens with a microfiber cloth and a lot of pressure, but even though it looks much cleaner when shining a flashlight, the spots are still there when I fog the lens with my breath. Could the fungus have etched itself into the front element?

[robiles]

I tried a pair of scissors that fit really well but even after quite a bit of force it didn't budge. I may have to purchase a spanners wrench. I was able to clean a lot of fungus off the front of the lens with a microfiber cloth and a lot of pressure, but even though it looks much cleaner when shining a flashlight, the spots are still there when I figure the lens with my breath. Could the fungus have etched itself into the front element?

i think you need to use some cleaning fluid (you can find lots of alternatives on a random search engine)

i had to clean 2 of my lenses of fungus but do not remember exactly what i used; might have been hydrogen peroxide.

p.s. after the operation you might leave a lot of dust in the lens (i know i have) which is really hard to get rid of, but can be seen only with a flashlight. better ignore that

[stillshot2]

I don't mind dust. But won't chemicals remove any coatings on a lens? Or is this lens so old it doesn't have any?

[shardulm]

Possible condensation and drying. A wet wipe clean should do it I am thinking. The wet wipes I use are the ones you get in walmart (Ziess or Nikon makes them for glasses in general)

[stillshot2]

Tried mild soapy water and even a little windex and the spots are still there. Any other suggestions for a cleaning agent? Also, I just remembered I have a spanner to remove watch case backs but sadly the prongs were too wide. The inside of the lens actually isn't nearly as bad as the outside though so I may give up trying to open it. Could it have locktite holding it together?