Aero Ektar Repair

Front Element

Top Down of the front element showing the minor fungus growth and the previous attempted repair hack job.

Lens Fungus

This is what fungus growth looks like. It would have had NO effect of the image in this state. You can also see the "cleaning marks" as eBay sellers call them. They're not cleaning marks, they're scratches from poor upkeep and improper cleaning. The interesting thing is that these scratches are on the INTERNAL side of the lens element. Somebody who was in this lens before didn't know what they were doing

The shipping damage

Due to an inexperienced shipper from eBay...this was what happened. I paid for a lens that was somewhat beat up looking on the outside but the elements were easily workable. It arrived with extensive damage to the rear element housing and retaining ring. I was able to get almost all of my money back minus shipping costs and keep the lens. The cleaning, overhaul and repair took me about 6 hours on the bench.

Sun Hood

Remove the retaining screw from the clamping ring. Put all screws and parts in a tray organizer.

This "sun hood" isn't really a sun hood. It was to attach large external contrast filters to that snapped on like a cam lock design. Simply unscrew the hood and set it aside

Front Element Removal

Here is where we remove the front lens element from the barrel. There may be a small #00 set screw on the front of the retaining ring that you will need to remove. My lens, it was missing and the previous "repair" person filled in the hole with lovely black silicone...There are more surprises as I went deeper into the lens. For the retaining ring removal, if the ring has not been modified like mine has (added a second hole 180 degrees opposite the set screw hole), use a silicon lens element removal disc. These are widely available on Amazon and come in a multiple size pack. ALWAYS wipe down the surface of the disc with some alcohol and a cloth before use. If there is any debris or metal chips on the surface of the disc it will destroy modern coatings and scratch the lens. I broke the ring free using a silicon disc and finished the removal with a lens spanner wrench.

Lens Spanner

Front element retaining ring removed. As you can see there is a hole 180 degrees opposite of where the set screw would go. If you have never used a lens spanner before, don't risk it on a rare lens first. I have a few junked Russian glass that I learned things on.

Front Element

Element removed. The debris is all the flaking off black paint and other junk that was in the lens. Use a disposable work surface like a non textured paper towel. Throw them away often if you notice debris gathering on it.

Front Element Removed

Element removed. If the front element is a bit stuck after removing the retaining ring DO NOT BANG THE LENS TO FREE IT. This is a rookie mistake. The lens elements and barrels have a tight clearance to achieve critical alignment. There are tools like a "Lens Sucker" which is a small suction cup on a straw to lift the element straight up. You can also use a piece of gaffer tape and press it on the element to lift from the center.

Front Element

The front element is surprisingly in good condition. Its survived 60 years of abuse.

Fungus Cleaning

In a dish that you can add a lid to--add equal amounts of cleaning ammonia and hydrogen peroxide. Add enough to cover the lens entirely. This photo you can see the large bubble under the element--AVOID THIS. Easier if you put the external side of the element face down. Wear nitrile gloves when working with this stuff and work IN A WELL VENTILATED SPACE. I do my repairs in my darkroom which has a nice workbench and a negative ventilator. Let the lens soak for 20-30 minutes, remove it using gloves and pat dry with a soft paper towel. If the fungus is of the type that is detrimental and etches the element, the best you can hope for is clearing out the solid fungal spores. What will be left behind is the imprint glossy appearance of the fungus outline. This lens has minor etching after a 30 minute soak but it will not affect the image.

Aperture Ring Removal

Here comes some of the head scratching moments I found with this lens from its previous "repairs". On the focus ring you will find 2 #00 set screws about 45 degrees apart. Some oaf had put these set screws in with super glue. I had to use nail polish remover in a syringe and needle to loosen the glue and remove the screws. Remove both set screws and set aside. Also remove the aperture label plate 2 screws and set aside in your organizing tray. Prior to removing the aperture ring, count how many threads are showing on the barrel--this makes it easier for re-assembly when trying to line up the set screws.

Super Glue....

Things NOT to do when doing lens repair or camera repair...use super glue unless its a dire emergency! Superglue and cameras dont mix, it is detrimental to most surfaces. Removed the rest of the glue and residue with a cotton swab and nail polish remover

Aperture Ring

Simply unscrew the aperture ring -- while looking at the front element unscrew counter clockwise. If it binds up for any reason do not force it. Try to remove it by turning it clockwise and out through the rear of the lens. The aperture blades will move--but they are held in place by a 1/8" hardened steel pin...Its not going to break unless you really do something dumb.

Clean as you go

Use a rocket blower and remove all the small metal shavings and dust and use a paper towel and cotton swabs with naphtha to clean everything. This aperture ring will have some old grease on it. Most things that create a dust barrier to the lens I use a very small amount of Super Lube silicone grease. By small...I mean I work it in like you would work in hand lotion or shoe polish. You shouldnt be able to see gobs of grease anywhere, just a light coating.

Mid Element Removal

Next we are going to remove the mid element. There is one set screw that retains the front/mid element housing in place. Its the silver one on the right...again mine was superglued in place.

Mid Element

Its tiny--dont lose it!

Front/Mid element housing removal

Simply unscrew the housing. Clean everything. Be very careful working over the top of the aperture blades. I always leave the blades wide open to prevent possible damage if I drop something.

Dust and fungus internal to the lens

The white specs are a form of fungus that was growing on the element seating surfaces. Use hydrogen peroxide and ammonia on a cotton swab to wipe the surfaces down. They wont disappear but the spores will be dead.

Mid element removal

Another set screw--This time no super glue! On the mid element housing, you will see a brass ring with a single set screw. There is no reason to remove this element from the housing since you have access to both sides of the element to clean--However, I am through and wanted to inspect everything for more fungus and remove all dust and debris from the lens. I want it to last another 60 years!

Mid Element

Here is the counter bore hole for the set screw removed that allowed the housing to be removed. You will need to ensure all the holes realign on re assembly.

Oddities

No idea why these holes are here...But whatever.