Disassemble Projection Anamorphic Lens

Francesco Glavina · February 20, 2014

Hi. I'm trying to dismantle an old B&L projector lens, and I have a problem with the back element.

Someone have suggestions?I post here a photo.Thanks.

Dom Jaeger · February 21, 2014

Well there's a lock ring there.. have you tried undoing it?

If it doesn't budge it can help to carefully run a solvent like acetone into the threads to soften any locking varnish that might have been used, and gentle heating with a hot air gun can also assist. Or there may be another lock ring on the inside, with the notched ring seen in the photo actually being a housing for the element, with notches to adjust the rotational position.

Be aware that on reassembly all the anamorphic elements need to be perfectly aligned with each other in terms of their squeeze horizon (rotational position), or the image turns to mush. Not a job for the faint-hearted, unless it's just a junk lens you're pulling apart for fun.

Chris Millar · February 21, 2014

ja, it's not clear what the issue is, unless as Dom points out you're not sure what to do with the lock ring ?

Google 'lens wrench'

Francesco Glavina · February 21, 2014

Thanks guys!

QUOTE:

Or there may be another lock ring on the inside, with the notched ring seen in the photo actually being a housing for the element, with notches to adjust the rotational position.

The photo is on the inside. The lens is on a kind of thread and over (on the inside) there's this strange ring (the one you see it in the photo) with two grooves I tried to force kindly with a screwdriver, but nothing. If acetone is not dangerous for the lens I could try with it. The problem is that the lens is 20cm long, so is difficult to arrive from the inside to the lens.

I want to reassemble the glasses out from the case for anamorphic shooting. The lens is a cheap one, but it's a lens from"fifties" and I think she deserves respect... :rolleyes:

Thanks Chris, I just discovered the Lens wrench. I don't know if it work in this case...

Edited February 21, 2014 by Francesco Glavina

Francesco Glavina · February 21, 2014

Hi. News:I removed the lock ring with two little screwdrivers.Nice! Now I understand your tool, Chris.Now I don't know how to remove the lens. It's fixed, I don't know how...Suggestions?

Thanks