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Leitz binocular head teardown

Posted: Fri Oct 11, 2019 11:47 am
by Aslan
Hello all. Does anyone know of a repair or teardown manual for a Leitz binocular head. The head is from an Ortholux 1 but I think the SM had similar construction. The head that came with my ortholux needs some serious internal cleaning (as in separating prisms to get to dirt and mould cleaning). Luckily I already had a trinocular head that is fine on the scope but I would like to see if I can clean the binocular head. Or should I just cut my losses or sell it as-is on ebay?

Re: Leitz binocular head teardown

Posted: Fri Oct 11, 2019 12:52 pm
by MicroBob
Hi Aslan,
there a basically two types of fungus damage: Superficial hazing and surface with etched net like looking shape. The former can be removed in most cases, the latter usually not.
Can you post pictures ob your binocular head?
I have cleaned a couple of them, but only as far as it was possible without taking the prisms out, which usually was enough.

Bob

Re: Leitz binocular head teardown

Posted: Fri Oct 11, 2019 3:20 pm
by Aslan
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I thought it was on the surface. But it is deeper.

Re: Leitz binocular head teardown

Posted: Fri Oct 11, 2019 8:58 pm
by mnmyco
That looks like fungal damage that is not possible to repair.

Re: Leitz binocular head teardown

Posted: Sat Oct 12, 2019 12:01 am
by Scarodactyl
It does, but every now and then they'll surprise you and disappear with the first wipe. It's worth a try, because if it doesn't work oh well, it was a loss anyway, if it does it's the best feeling, like when a screw remover finally works on a stripped bolt.

Re: Leitz binocular head teardown

Posted: Sat Oct 12, 2019 12:35 am
by Aslan
So what I’m hearing is that I might as well have a bash. At the very least I will Get a deeper appreciation for the people that put these things together.

Re: Leitz binocular head teardown

Posted: Sat Oct 12, 2019 2:39 am
by MicroBob
Defects in the light path can lead to two things:
- You get a fat spot in the image :evil:
- There is a very slight reduction of contrast :D

The hardest test is with a 100:1 oil immersion objective. Dirt and damages show more than with weaker objectives.

Re: Leitz binocular head teardown

Posted: Wed Dec 11, 2019 5:08 am
by Sabatini
Hello, a greeting all, recently completely disassembled mine, and the truth is a very delicate procedure and much patience and softness in the treatment, but you get to eliminate the fungus and make it look very good .another thing is then aligning the prisms and so on to make everything look good, that's another thing, it is also achieved with patience and if you are not very demanding and perfectionist, the results are very encouraging, mine was completely full of mold and is now very nice and clean as much as possible, and the image improved to a great extent, I would say that they were improved greatly and now give some luminous images and very clear and sharp. I'm very happy as they were. I hope you can clean yours too.
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Re: Leitz binocular head teardown

Posted: Wed Dec 11, 2019 8:23 am
by MichaelG.
Congratulations on your success, and thanks for the reference photos.

MichaelG.

Re: Leitz binocular head teardown

Posted: Thu Dec 12, 2019 5:17 am
by Bryan
A half and half mixture of hydrogen peroxide and ammonia will dissolve lens mold. Do this in a well ventilated area. If the mold etched the glass you will still have the etch but sometimes you luck out ant it all goes away. If it’s between cemented elements then you’re out of luck.