Lens Restorer Recommendation

Univer · Joined: 30 Jun 2009 Posts: 282

Hi All,

I'm imposing on the collective wisdom of the community for help with a repair question.

A while back (here, in fact), I posted about what seems to be a rather uncommon Sun Optical lens that needed a CLA to deal with a mild case of fungus. I sent it off to keh, along with a fungused 58/2.4 Takumar, for an overhaul.

The lenses were returned to me today. In the case of the Takumar, the accompanying paperwork stated "unable to clean, lens sealed." In the case of the Sun, the paperwork stated only: "unable to clean."

Now, let me be clear: I'm not criticizing keh here. Those folks probably see more lenses and cameras in a day than I see in a year, and I give their assessment due weight. But that doesn't mean that I have no interest in a second opinion. I'm guessing that keh's repair department concentrates more on current or near-current-production gear than on vintage equipment, and I wonder whether someone who truly specializes in the old stuff might be able to sort all this out. Even though my own repair skills are rudimentary at best, I've seen enough amazing work done by the members here to have a certain skepticism at the notion that these two lenses just happen to be impossible to overhaul.

Analogizing the situation to one I've often encountered in the context of my other hobby - vintage fountain pens - there's a large group of excellent pen restorers who can deal with the routine stuff, and then there's a smaller population of specialists who pride themselves on their ability to perform miracles on the really obscure elderly items.

So I'm wondering if anyone might be able to recommend that kind of specialist here. I'm located in the USA, but I would gladly send the lenses anywhere, if there were a reasonable prospect of success. Alternatively, if you've been through a similar experience, and think it would be a waste of time to seek a second opinion, I'd be happy to know that as well.

Thanks for your help!

Jon

Attila · Expire: 2025-11-18

I found also lens what I couldn't clean due glued lens tags and fungus was between them Twisted Evil

So I believe diagnose at Keh was accurate.

http://forum.mflenses.com/uncleanable-lenses-t8527.html

Univer · Joined: 30 Jun 2009 Posts: 282

Hi Attila,

Many thanks. Wishful thinking, on my part, hoping that a different specialist might provide a different diagnosis. I guess we do that with doctors, too. Wink

Cheers,

Jon

luisalegria · Expire: 2018-01-18

Sorry to hear about that Sun Jon.

This is a simple lens, like most of its kind from that time it should be easy to disassemble and clean, unless -

- Rings or screws are stuck together so tightly they cannot be safely unscrewed. By "safely" I mean without cosmetic damage.

- Separation of cemented elements.

I am sure there is a more specialized workman around, even on Mflenses.

exaklaus · Expire: 2011-12-02

I have few very old Sun lenses for Exakta in my collection and all of them were completly stiff, no chance to move the focussing. Got them repaired by a german technican, Fotoservice Olbrich in G�rlitz.
So maybe there is still hope?

Klaus

Univer · Joined: 30 Jun 2009 Posts: 282

Gentlemen, thank you very much for the replies. My apologies; I've neglected to check on this thread.

Klaus, perhaps I'll contact the technicians you recommend. At least they're familiar with Sun products!

Has anyone had any experience with Focal Point Lens? Their services seem to include separation and recementing of cemented elements.

Cheers,

Jon