Cleaning a Lydith

[woodrim]

I have cleaned (2x) my Lydith after receiving it and discovering that it had fungus. However, I find that it still has haze which can be sen in very bright light only. I pointed it into the Sun's direction yesterday and saw the haze/fog. When I cleaned it, I removed the font ring which allows the whole front element to fall out, leaving only the tiny rear element in the barrel. The font seems to be an enclosed group of lenses with no apparent way of cleaning other than the front and back glass. Is there something I'm missing? I had cleaned the fungus with alcohol.

[bob955i]

If it doesn't drastically affect the lens' performance, I'd leave well alone and use a hood in very bright light.

The more times you dismantle to attempt cleaning, the greater the chance of causing damage.

The Lydith is only single coated anyway so you'll get a degree of flare which is what I *think* you *may* be seeing, especially as you're viewing a bright light source.

Try looking through the lens without aiming it at a bright light and then compare it with a 'clean' lens.

Just my 2p.

[woodrim]

Thanks, but removing the front group is no issue at all. After unscrewing the front ring, it just falls out.

[mo]

Can you post up a picture of what you mean? Are you saying you unscrew the whole front end or just the beauty ring (the ring with all the details)
The reason I am asking is my Westanars 4.5/150 front end unscrews and I can only clean the front and back glass but not between.I have noted there is two slotted points either side of the beauty ring (hiding under where I assume you push on a hood as there is no filter threads)....I am thinking if I unscrew this maybe the front glass will fall out and I can get at the inside glass.

[Jesito]

Have you tried Ponds cream?.
I successfully cleaned up a Samyang 500mm mirror with it, not sure if it would work with yours:

http://forum.mflenses.com/fixing-a-samyang-500mm-f8-mirror-lens-with-plenty-of-fungus-t40526,highlight,+samyang++500mm.html

Good luck,
Jes.

[woodrim]

Mo: Yes, it's the beauty ring that I remove, The front element grouping falls out and has a stepped appearance - largest diameter at front, stepping down to rear, but all enclosed as one. I couldn't detect the fog with the available light when I was cleaning it, so I suppose I first need to determine where it's coming from. The fungus was on the tiny rear element and that was the most difficult to get at (inside), so maybe that is where I'm still having a problem. It's just so small and hard to see through, especially with my old eyes.

Jesito: No, I don't know what Ponds cream is, but maybe my wife will, although it sounds like it would leave a film. Wouldn't you think alcohol would clean it up?

[mo]

Thanks,I understand about eye problems and looking at small things.