Steinheil-Munchen Culminar VL 85mm, f2.8 LTM

DIY CLA

Typical user sample with front element cleaning marks, mild haze and some dust specs. I shot a few frames and this was the best I got. I suspected the susceptibility to flare and muted colors (like the shot below) was due to the haze.

Before cleaning @ f4

Dismantling is pretty straight forward - remove the lens head from the focusing mount.

Rear element taken off

Cleaning the haze from the middle element

Front element off

Reverse the procedure for re-assembly

After cleaning @ f4

Steinheil LTM lenses were offered by Sears Roebuck in the 50s as cheaper alternatives to Nikkor for their Tower (Nicca) RF cameras. 

More Steinheil 85/2.8 pics

Hybrid Darkroom

B&W film  processing kit 

Changing bag, Paterson tanks, chemicals, timer, thermometer, graduated cylinders and running water from a kitchen or bathroom sink. If you decide to develop your own B&W film, this is a good place to start.

Leica M6 + Canon  Serenar 50/1.8
TX400/Diafine

Diafine is an ideal developer for the tropics since it isn't very critical of temperature but also have Rodinal at hand when I want the look. I've also used Kodak D76 and Ilford DDX.

Film - Agfa APX 100, ERA 100, Foma 100, Fuji Acros 100, Neopan 400, Neopan 1600, Ilford Delta Pro 100 and HP5+, Kodak Plus X 125 and Tri X 400. 

MASSIVE DEVELOPMENT CHART

Negatives hang to dry before scanning...

This Canoscan 8400F flatbed scanner has given reliable service for more than 5 years. I use the Scangear software with all enhancement functions turned off...

...and do minimal post processing in Photoshop 7 - limited to procedures I learned in a traditional darkroom.

This was the darkroom I set up in my apartment in the USA.

Negatives and prints are inserted into Print File sleeves and stashed in binders.

Canon P + W-Nikkor 35/2.5
Kodak TX400 in Rodinal 1+50

Years ago a photographer friend advised that I will learn a lot more about photography if I process my negatives and print them. He was right, I realized I was not born with a gifted eye...he he he! Nonetheless I still enjoy the whole process ;)

open baffle ---> how not to...

tall and thin baffle = no bass and sexy slim mids

Leica II + Summitar 50/2
APX100/Rodinal

If memory serves me right this was a production line speaker from the 70s, don't remember the manufacturer but seemingly an attempt to mimic the cosmetics of a Magneplanar using conventional drivers...

Kutztown Radio Show, Spring 2006

Update: According to Terry O this is Bob Carver's Andromeda from the early 80s.

Alleys...

FED 3a + Industar 26M
APX100/Diafine

Leica II + Elmar 50'3.5
Neopan 400/Diafine

Bessa R + W-Nikkor 35/2.5
Fuji 200

Zorki 5a + Summar 50/2
TX400/D76

Bessa R + CV 21/4
APX100/Diafine

Leica IIIf + CV 21/4
HP5+/DDX

FED 3a + Industar 26M
APX100/Diafine

Leica II + W-Komura 36/1.8
Neopan 400/Diafine

International Commie Camera Day 2011!

The first mass produced 35mm camera from the Former Soviet Union (FSU) was the FED from 1934, a Leica II clone.

Zorki 1d + Industar 22 + FED 3a + Jupiter  8

 FED article by Oscar Fricke

JEL Special Edition
Zorki 6 + Jupiter 8 and FED 2 + Industar 61LD

As part of WWII reparations, the Soviets gained access to blueprints, tools and other materials to manufacture Zeiss designed optics well into the the 90s with minor updates.

Zorki 1d + Jupiter 8
TX400/Diafine

When properly adjusted and serviced, FED and Zorki cameras + Industar and Jupiter lenses are capable of producing high quality images. 

Zorki 1d + Industar 22
APX100/Diafine

Millions were manufactured but the main issue was lack of quality control. 

FED 3a + Jupiter 8
Foma 100/Rodinal

 Being a tinkerer at heart cheap FEDs and Zorkis became my guinea pigs from which I gained enough confidence to buy unloved Leica IIs in need of TLC. 

Zorki 1d + Industar 22
APX100/Diafine

It is interesting to note that just about every industrialized nation in the 20th century attempted to manufacture a Leica clone.

FED 2 + Industar 61LD
Fuji 200

Notable copies include Kardon, USA and Reid, UK which are now highly collectible and command prices greater than a genuine Leica.

FED 2 + Industar 61LD
Fuji 200

The post WWII camera and optical industry of Japan was also founded on Leica copies from Canon, Nicca/Tower (later Yashica), Leotax, Minolta (Chiyoko) and etc. 

Fed 3a + Jupiter 8
Foma 100/Rodinal

 Eventually the Japanese beat the Germans in their own game and ultimately became the largest manufacturer of cameras and lenses in the world.

Zorki 6 + Jupiter 8
HP5+/DDX

A testament to Japanese tradition of discipline, industry and ability to innovate!

Zorki 1d + Jupiter 8
TX400/Diafine

China also made Leica copies - a souvenir from my visit to Shanghai last year. 

Shanghai 58-II + 50/3.5 lens

My original plan for today was to take pictures with this camera, unfortunately it became too hot and muggy ;o(

Canon Serenar f1.8, 50mm LTM lens

This Serenar 50/1.8 came as a body cap on a Canon IVSB2 acquired at a camera show in late '97. It had dust specs, haze, front element cleaning marks and fine scratches. The result from a trial roll was discouraging. I could not find the proper 50mm lens in the ensuing camera shows, instead  I ended up with a minty  Serenar 35/2.8 with matching view finder in its original leather case.

 After shooting a few more rolls, a cousin became really interested in this Canon RF system. Since I was contemplating the purchase of a used Leica M6, I sold the lot with a right of first refusal clause if he decides to unload at a later date. He enjoyed it for several years using an Elmar E39 50/2.8 LTM and the Serenar 35/2.8.

Fast forward to last December, he was trimming down his RF collection and I got the outfit back. Meanwhile  I've read many good things about this Planar design at Rangefinder forum and Dante Stella considers it at par with the original Leitz rigid Summicron.

My curiosity was piqued and searched for information on how I can get rid of the dust specks and haze. I found a post at Rangefinder forum  (can't find the exact link) describing disassembly which starts at the rear retaining ring...

The whole optical module comes off the focusing helical

Be careful not to scratch the glass...

Fortunately the middle lens element was within the torque ability of my heavy duty tweezers ;)

The aperture blades were dry and the click stops turning smoothly, just cleaned out dirt and sparingly relubed with lithium grease.

I discovered edge separation in the cemented pair middle lens element, not very encouraging...

Everything cleaned and lubed. 

Ready for a test drive...

Bessa R
Acros 100/Diafine

Bessa R
Acros 100/Diafine

Leica M3 + M adapter
PX125/Diafine

Shot @ f1.8...not too worried about the balsam separation ;)

More Serenar 50/1.8 pics