Mamiya RZ 67 Lens Haze Mold or other

[robdeszan]

Hello All,

I was getting lenses ready for a shoot (cleaning) last night when I discovered this:

https://www.getdpi.com/gallery/showimage.php?i=31745&catid=member&imageuser=21904

Haze? Mold? Fungus? Looks like a large green/yellow circle with a hazy (white) centre patch.

It's a RZ 110mm 2.8 lens which I've had for ages, so not sure how long it's been in this state. It's impossible to spot in daylight unless you use a flash light - might have missed it all those years. It is behind the rear element but I am a bit worried it might be the cement in the lens assembly.

Has anyone had a similar issue and tried to disassemble an RZ lens for cleaning?

Best,
Rob

 

[Shashin]

Re: Mamiya RZ 67 Lens Haze Mould or other

Looks like mold and fungus. I would get a lens wrench and take the retaining ring off--it would not try this without a lens wrench, for example, with just a screw driver. Film clearer or ethyl alcohol (200 proof) takes care of this pretty well. Otherwise send it of for a cleaning.

I would also look into a dry box for your lenses. Don't store this with your other lenses until it is clean.

 

[robdeszan]

Lens wrench already on its way. Thanks for suggesting the cleaning solutions. Would a denaturated alcohol work?

I hope it will be straightforward job as long as the affected surface can be accessed. I did find a post on a different forum where someone claimed that the rear element on RZ lenses may not be easily removed compared to RB ones (I got hold of a service manual for the later), hence the question re the process.

 

[robdeszan]

Well, I managed to access the rear lens group, using a diy tool to unscrew the cylinder and a lens wrench to access the inside (all surprisingly straightforward!) but, unfortunately, the mold is between two cemented lenses. No point in servicing it. I guess I will have to live with it. The lens might have been affected right from when I first got it but never noticed it... The softness is just right for portraits (wide open) it pretty much disappears by f4.

Thanks for the suggestions, though!

 

[jdphoto]

The good thing is that RZ lenses can be purchased for $200/300. APO like quality in some. The 110mm f2.8 is one of the best portrait lenses i've ever used for film.