Cleaning fungus from Yashica Mat 124

[Fuju]

I've not got one in my possession, but was considering buying one but it apprently has heavy fungus in the lenses. Has anyone ever taken the lenses out to clean them and can you offer any advice?

 

[adrianday]

I've not got one in my possession, but was considering buying one but it apprently has heavy fungus in the lenses. Has anyone ever taken the lenses out to clean them and can you offer any advice?

This is the method I use. It works.

 

[Fuju]

Thanks, useful page. I was actually looking to see if anyone had removed the lenses from this particular TLR. I just had a response from the seller and he "can't" provide any more images of the fungus so I'll give it a pass.

 

[adrianday]

Thanks, useful page. I was actually looking to see if anyone had removed the lenses from this particular TLR. I just had a response from the seller and he "can't" provide any more images of the fungus so I'll give it a pass.

Looking at the repair manual, you should be able to remove the front taking lens element with a ring spanner. The rear element looks as if it might be accessible with a ring spanner without having to disassemble the shutter cocking mechanism. If there are no spanner ring notches, it might just need a rubber backed prodler that picks up on the rear element housing to release the lens element from the shutter.

 

[Fuju]

Ah, yes. I didn't even think of a service manual, many thanks for the reply!

 

[MDJ]

This is the method I use. It works.

I have successfully cleaned up an SMC Takumar 50/1.8 using that method. I used Hydrogen Peroxide alone at about 3 - 4 % from the hair products section in the supermarket. Apparently it's used for hair colouring. At 3 - 4 % concentration it is also safe for skin as it can also be used as a disinfectant. I didn't use ammonia so there was no evil smell.

I also have a Yashicamat 124G that requires periodic cleaning of the rear element of the taking lens. This is not a fungus problem but rather it's a problem with outgassing of lubricants within the shutter which condense on the inside of the rear lens element. A lens spanner with fairly long reach is needed to remove the ring that secures the lens element. I usually loosen the retaining ring with a lens spanner then switch to a trimmed bamboo skewer to turn the ring until it comes off. (I'm always careful with a lens spanner to avoid slipping and accidentally scratching a lens. Haven't done it yet!!) The haze on the lens element is then cleaned with naptha, (lighter fluid or shellite in some markets), isopropyl alcohol may also work but I prefer naptha.

 

[excalibur2]

you should be able to remove the front taking lens element with a ring spanner

AAMOI I was fed up making my own rings spanners for different lenses and bought this set...it's not absolute precision made but does the job for most lenses and cheap;-

Pro DSLR Lens Repair Spanner Wrench Open Tool 10-100mm for Canon Nikon Camera | eBay

Brand New and Quality Pro DSLR Lens Repair Spanner Wrench Open Tool 10-100mm for Canon Nikon Camera <br> <br>6 screw locking Design. <br> <br> <br>Three types of tips: flat, half flat, pointed. <br> <br> <br>Made of high quality anti-magnetic stainless steel, nice looking and durable.

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