The effect of total lens element separation???

[www.wesleyalmond.com]

I was in the process of cleaning my Rokkor lens on my $5 Minolta A

(rangefinder)

What I thought was fungus was in fact the two rear elements had

become completely separated. Since I couldn't recement the lens I

cleaned off all of the cement residue.

 

Now the question is How will this effect my pictures?

I can place the element back into it's correct resting place BUT it's

no longer cemented Like it should be..

 

Info info on this guys?

 

<img scr="http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/myequation/a.jpg">

[alex_lofquist]

You will get reflections from the two new lens surfaces, otherwise there may be little difference in performance. There is a possibility of Newton's rings which may be seen by looking at the lens, but I expect that this will have only minor effect on the final image. Try it!

[james_lai]

I seem to recall Mike Kovacs repaired a lens with edge separation by putting some WD-40 between the elements. Might be worthwhile contacting him for details.

[Mike Gammill]

I may be wrong, but isn't the refractive index of the cement a factor in lens performance? Of course, it may only be noticable wide open at high enlargements. I guess the best thing to do is try a few pictures and see.

[conrad_hoffman]

Index doesn't matter much for such a thin layer. I've heard you can use the clear part of WD-40 after all the crud settles out- some astronomy people have done that with their big achromats. Personally, I'd order some Norland optical cement from Edmund and recement it, or just assemble it dry (and very clean to avoid scratches!) and see how it work. Should be fine. The correct balsam to do it the traditional way is very hard to find these days. It comes as a hard stick, not a solvent thinned liquid as used for microscope slides. It's also a PITA compared to the modern UV cure stuff. There are also clear 2-part epoxies, but I've no experience with those.

[User_502260]

I have a Canon 24mm f/2.8 FD lens which had separation of the rear elements. It was repaired successfully by Ken Ruth at Photography On Bald Mountain. The cost? More than $5.