kodak stereo lenses and DIY fungus cleaning

[david_b16]

<p>hello<br>

I recently purchased a Kodak Stereo on eBay from someone who claimed it was in "working condition". So as you can imagine, I'm not writing this post to tell you all that it is in immaculate condition and that I've taking astonishing photos with it... my $50 haven't made me the happiest guy on the block, but now I feel like considering this a project.<br>

The shutter is super sticky, operates but unreliably. I've done the multiple cocking+tripping exercise a while with some (moderate) improvement but nothing that makes me say "right, film in... let's test this" because I know it's still really off.<br>

The other thing is that the lenses -although not scratched- have a significant amount of fungus in them.<br>

The shutter cocking gears are pretty hard to get turning and it feels like winding this puppy would result in tearing the film before it's even been exposed.<br>

I've just received the repair manual from Mike (<a href="http://www.butkus.org/chinon/kodak/kodak_stereo/kodak_stereo.htm">kodak stereo repair</a> ) and send him a couple dollars for the help... and after inspection of the pdfs, it looks like the lenses elements aren't cemented to each other... I could be wrong on that one.<br>

My fears are now obviously that I might not be able to put it back together, but I've managed to do a good job with small electronics so far so i'm not too intimidated by the challenge. Mostly, I wonder if what I'm about to attempt will "off" the focusing.<br>

What tools would you think are necessary to remove the rings at the back of the lenses? and the front? I see no holes for a caliper-like tool to get a grip on the rings...<br>

Has anyone done this before?? If so, what would be your advice.</p>

<p>Anxiously awaiting all comments and responses before the dive, your truly,<br>

David</p>

[SCL]

<p>A spanner wrench is often used, and often the rings themselves are covered with a decorative but thin overlay ring (naming the camera, etc) which may be just glued on. I would think your repair manual would clarify whether yours is like this or different. Another technique for some lenses is a leather covered dowel end which spans the diameter of the lens. You apply gripping pressure to the dowel and twist it to unscrew the lens if it doesn't have a retaining ring.</p>

[david_b16]

<p>Yes! Mine do have these decorative rings you mentioned... held in place by 2 ph00 screws... I've been going through the repair manual qutie a lot recently. I think I'm very close to scrubbing up and prepare the operating theatre.<br>

The block holding the 2 lenses and the shutter mechanism(s) is designed to come off fairly simply,</p>

<p>Now my main concern is really about finding out whether these lenses have 3 elements (none cemented to another) in which case I could probably clean them... or 4 elements (tessar style) in which case I could be in trouble... Anast<strong>ons</strong> (what I've got here) seem to be 3, whereas anast<strong>ars</strong> are 4 elements. I'll find out soon enough.</p>

<p>fixing this camera is becoming a bit of an obsession I must confess... thanks for the help Stephen.</p>