Fuzzy Binoculars

[doug748]

I have an old pair of Russian 7 * 50s which have given good service but do not justify 50 quid for a proper service. Has anyone any tips for taking them apart and cleaning the optics, what cleaning fluid could I use?

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[snowleopard]

boots spectacle cleaner

take care not to cross-thread the screwed lens retaining rings!

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[aitchw]

.....and do it in the least dusty place you can find and in the driest atmosphere you can contrive. Rooms where dogs are commonly present are also out of the question because b****y dog hair gets everywhere!!!!!!!!!!

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[sandeel]

We've dismantled a pair of russian bins in the past for cleaning .
Don't use paper tissue for cleaning,unless designed for optics, it can damage the metallic coating which is quite delicate.
We had reasonable results using lighter fluid applied with a cotton bud, slowly working across the surface, then carefully cleaning off with a dry clean bud.The prisms may also need cleaning, be careful dismantling and take note of any spacing washers.Keep all oil away from the surfaces including finger prints, as this smears.You may have to realign the objectives (the large lens) but the best bet is not to disturb the lens in there housing.Hope this is of some use.

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[Roy]

Hi

Before dismantling you might want to ensure that they are not just damp inside the workings and not dirty...... To check and possibly safe you time and maybe cash too, put them into an open shallow cardboard box on some crunched up paper and close to a dehumidifier inside a small dry room. Leave it going fro a few days and then check if any improvement in vis quality. Cheers. Roy

<hr width=100% size=1>What does this mean then?

 

[doug748]

Thanks everyone. They are certainly dirty cos when you look down the wrong end you can see "cobwebs" on the lens / prisms. Brian

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[boatless]

Be careful with the lenses, as I found out when cleaning my Grandfather's sniper glasses. The glue between elements of the compound lens failed. Result is that they need rebonding. Any ideas anyone?

<hr width=100% size=1>my opinion is complete rubbish, probably.

 

[Andrew_Fanner]

The glue will be Canada balsam, which has the same refractive index as glass so is "invisible" to the viewer. It can be used for sticking covers on microscope slides, a good arts and crafts shop may be able to supply.

Grandfather's sniper glasses are probably worthy of professional attention if you are not too sure what you are doing.

<hr width=100% size=1>Two beers please, my friend is paying.

 

[boatless]

Andrew, many thanks for that. I now have a little test for the so-called professional I will hand them to! I was an over eager 16 year old when I had a go at them....

John

<hr width=100% size=1>my opinion is complete rubbish, probably.

 

[actionoptics]

I have stripped and cleaned a number of the Russian 7x50. The older ones ( let me know the serial number and I will tell you how old it is ) are sealed with black wax ( or is it bear grease ? ) under the flat covers and around the front lenses under the round covers. Some of the front lens barrels threads were locked with tiny grub screws which are difficult to see 'cos they were also covered with black wax. If the barrel is really stiff to undo, check for grub screws before you really damage the threads. I use Meths to clean fungus and haze off prisms and lenses but what ever you use , don't rub too hard with the same bit of cloth as even the tiniest piece of hard dust/grit can scratch the coatings. As already advised, try not to change the position of the front lenses in their housings as this will upset the alignment. I will be happy to talk you through each stage if you phone 01453 833738. There is a photo of a dismantled binocular on www.actionoptics.co.uk plus details of my credentials. I only charge about £30 to clean and realign and these old Russian bino's are worth it as the modern Chinese cheapies don't compare. Just remembered, you can unscrew the complete focus arms/eyepiece assembly by taking off the disc in the centre between the front lenses and then removing the lock nut that tightens the hinge and using a long screw driver, you can undo the screw that limits the focus from falling out.

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[dulcibella]

Lens Tissue is the stuff for cleaning lenses. It comes in small packs for cleaning microscope lenses and, unlike other paper tissues, has no scratchy silica among the fibres.

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