Has anyone disassembled their VX/PD's lens? at DVinfo.net

Nick Hope · September 13th, 2004, 11:23 PM

I need to open up the front of my VX2000 to clean mold that is on one of the internal lens elements.

Has anyone any experience of this? It looks like the first step would be to unscrew the black ring marked "SONY VIDEO LENS / OPTICAL 12X" using the small notch in it (at 9 o'clock as you look at the lens) that seems to be provided for that purpose. After that I'm not sure and would appreciate any insights before I take the plunge.

Jeff Donald · September 14th, 2004, 04:56 AM

Do not disassemble your lens. It takes special equipment to realign the lens assembly. It is almost impossible to align it by eye. Most repair facilities will charge more to work on equipment that is already apart. send your camera to Sony for repair.

Lou Bruno · September 16th, 2004, 07:06 AM

Credit....alanbarker.com

Sony PD150: Dirt Behind the Front Lens Element.

One of the most nagging problems of small-format cameras is that the extreme depth of field brings dust on the lens into focus. Assiduous lens cleaning is a necessity.

When dust appears on the back side of the front element, a more drastic but easily doable procedure is possible.

(Photo1)

Around the lens is an official looking ring imprinted “SONY VIDEO LENS...” This is nothing more than a thin gasket-shaped piece of plastic held in place by rubber cement.

On the left side you will see a notch and key in this ring. Stick a pointed object into the notch and the ring will easily pry up.

(Photo2)

While gently lifting the ring, use a second pointy object such as a small jewelers screw driver in tire iron fashion to lift the ring free. Set it down butter side up to preserve the goo.

The front element is held in a rather crude plastic bayonet mount that can easily be disengaged by rotating counter clockwise with your pointy tools.

(Photo3)

When you replace the front element, make sure it clicks into place. The lens is keyed so it can be replaced in only one prientation.

Replace the official looking plastic ring.

By the way, the front element seems to have no optical function other than to collect dust and add flares. I think its sole purpose is to seal the front of the lens which it does poorly.

© Alan Barker 2003

Bryan Beasleigh · September 16th, 2004, 07:50 AM

Is Allan going to be there to help. I think it's poor advice.

Andre De Clercq · September 16th, 2004, 08:27 AM

Correct Lou. The front element (in the vx2k) is just a coated spherical piece of glass with no optical power and which can easely be taken off after (slowly) removing the softly glued plastic ring and and couter clockwise lose the fixation ring. The reason for the non flat front element is just for avoiding (defocussing) "fireflies" which come from the flexible prism (OIS)backscattering. The only problem could be that you have to do this under (allmost) dustfree conditions...

Nick Hope · September 17th, 2004, 12:20 AM

Thanks for the debate guys. If the mould was just on the back of the front element, I'd go for it. But it looks like it's some distance back with at least one more element between the front element and the one with the mould on it. It's almost certainly off to Sony on Monday, but in any case how many elements are there in the front assembly? Does anyone know where I can see a schematic diagram? The service manual I downloaded today has no diagrams in it, and I like to understand the construction and the problem if nothing else so I know what I'm talking about with Sony.

Ignacio Rodriguez · September 17th, 2004, 12:49 PM

Would this procedure from alanbarker.com be applicable to the PDX10?

Tom Hardwick · September 17th, 2004, 02:42 PM

The Sony's lens has 12 elements in 9 groups. Two of these individual elements have aspherical surfaces. There are three prisims that split the light off into the RGB constituents. In front of the front element are two plane parallel sheets of glass separated by an oil. This forms the VAP Steadywshot.

tom.

Lou Bruno · September 17th, 2004, 03:15 PM

And it is this oil that causes the "fireflies" when videotaping bright candles and streetlights.

<<<-- Originally posted by Tom Hardwick : The Sony's lens has 12 elements in 9 groups. Two of these individual elements have aspherical surfaces. There are three prisims that split the light off into the RGB constituents. In front of the front element are two plane parallel sheets of glass separated by an oil. This forms the VAP Steadywshot.

tom. -->>>

Ignacio Rodriguez · September 17th, 2004, 07:13 PM

Is it likely that what I am seeing behind my front element is fungus? Sunlight might remove it in that case, right?

Related thread:
http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthrea...threadid=31913

Nick Hope · September 21st, 2004, 02:27 AM

Sony Thailand have quoted me just 30 dollars to clean the mould so I'm going for it. I'll let you all know how it goes.

Andre De Clercq · September 21st, 2004, 05:42 AM

Fireflies mostly find their origin in the back and forth reflections between the flat front of the VAP and the flat (poorly coated) protection filters that many people add in front of the cam optics.

Lou Bruno · September 21st, 2004, 06:14 AM

Yes, that is also correct. A good coated lens such as B+W would prevent spot flaring. However, the "firefly" situation with the SONY camera looks different and is corrected by turning off the stabilzer.

<<<-- Originally posted by Andre De Clercq : Fireflies mostly find their origin in the back and forth reflections between the flat front of the VAP and the flat (poorly coated) protection filters that many people add in front of the cam optics. -->>>

Andre De Clercq · September 21st, 2004, 08:48 AM

Fireflies are still there if the OIS is turned off, but they don't jump that much anymore if the cam is handheld.

Mike Rehmus · September 21st, 2004, 09:39 AM

<<<-- Originally posted by Andre De Clercq : Fireflies mostly find their origin in the back and forth reflections between the flat front of the VAP and the flat (poorly coated) protection filters that many people add in front of the cam optics. -->>>

Unfortunately, that is not the case. The fireflies are caused internally in the lens and it occurs even if you don't have a filter on the front.

September 13th, 2004, 11:23 PM	#1
Nick Hope Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Bangkok, Thailand Posts: 189	Has anyone disassembled their VX/PD's lens? I need to open up the front of my VX2000 to clean mold that is on one of the internal lens elements. Has anyone any experience of this? It looks like the first step would be to unscrew the black ring marked "SONY VIDEO LENS / OPTICAL 12X" using the small notch in it (at 9 o'clock as you look at the lens) that seems to be provided for that purpose. After that I'm not sure and would appreciate any insights before I take the plunge.

September 14th, 2004, 04:56 AM	#2
Jeff Donald Warden Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 8,287	Do not disassemble your lens. It takes special equipment to realign the lens assembly. It is almost impossible to align it by eye. Most repair facilities will charge more to work on equipment that is already apart. send your camera to Sony for repair. __________________ Jeff Donald Carpe Diem Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Where to Buy? From the best in the business: DVinfo.net sponsors

September 16th, 2004, 07:06 AM	#3
Lou Bruno Go Cycle Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Huntington, NY Posts: 815	Credit....alanbarker.com Sony PD150: Dirt Behind the Front Lens Element. One of the most nagging problems of small-format cameras is that the extreme depth of field brings dust on the lens into focus. Assiduous lens cleaning is a necessity. When dust appears on the back side of the front element, a more drastic but easily doable procedure is possible. (Photo1) Around the lens is an official looking ring imprinted “SONY VIDEO LENS...” This is nothing more than a thin gasket-shaped piece of plastic held in place by rubber cement. On the left side you will see a notch and key in this ring. Stick a pointed object into the notch and the ring will easily pry up. (Photo2) While gently lifting the ring, use a second pointy object such as a small jewelers screw driver in tire iron fashion to lift the ring free. Set it down butter side up to preserve the goo. The front element is held in a rather crude plastic bayonet mount that can easily be disengaged by rotating counter clockwise with your pointy tools. (Photo3) When you replace the front element, make sure it clicks into place. The lens is keyed so it can be replaced in only one prientation. Replace the official looking plastic ring. By the way, the front element seems to have no optical function other than to collect dust and add flares. I think its sole purpose is to seal the front of the lens which it does poorly. © Alan Barker 2003 __________________ Lou Bruno

September 16th, 2004, 07:50 AM	#4
Bryan Beasleigh Trustee Join Date: May 2002 Location: Barrie, Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,922	Is Allan going to be there to help. I think it's poor advice. __________________ Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting ".......holy smokin rubber lips...what a ride!"

September 17th, 2004, 12:49 PM	#7
Ignacio Rodriguez Contributor Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Santiago, Chile Posts: 932	Would this procedure from alanbarker.com be applicable to the PDX10? __________________ Ignacio Rodríguez in the third world. @micronauta on Twitter. Main hardware: brain, eyes, hands.

September 16th, 2004, 08:27 AM	#5
Andre De Clercq Major Player Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Belgium Posts: 804	Correct Lou. The front element (in the vx2k) is just a coated spherical piece of glass with no optical power and which can easely be taken off after (slowly) removing the softly glued plastic ring and and couter clockwise lose the fixation ring. The reason for the non flat front element is just for avoiding (defocussing) "fireflies" which come from the flexible prism (OIS)backscattering. The only problem could be that you have to do this under (allmost) dustfree conditions...

September 17th, 2004, 12:20 AM	#6
Nick Hope Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Bangkok, Thailand Posts: 189	Thanks for the debate guys. If the mould was just on the back of the front element, I'd go for it. But it looks like it's some distance back with at least one more element between the front element and the one with the mould on it. It's almost certainly off to Sony on Monday, but in any case how many elements are there in the front assembly? Does anyone know where I can see a schematic diagram? The service manual I downloaded today has no diagrams in it, and I like to understand the construction and the problem if nothing else so I know what I'm talking about with Sony.

September 17th, 2004, 02:42 PM	#8
Tom Hardwick Inner Circle Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Billericay, England UK Posts: 4,711	The Sony's lens has 12 elements in 9 groups. Two of these individual elements have aspherical surfaces. There are three prisims that split the light off into the RGB constituents. In front of the front element are two plane parallel sheets of glass separated by an oil. This forms the VAP Steadywshot. tom.

September 17th, 2004, 03:15 PM	#9
Lou Bruno Go Cycle Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Huntington, NY Posts: 815	And it is this oil that causes the "fireflies" when videotaping bright candles and streetlights. <<<-- Originally posted by Tom Hardwick : The Sony's lens has 12 elements in 9 groups. Two of these individual elements have aspherical surfaces. There are three prisims that split the light off into the RGB constituents. In front of the front element are two plane parallel sheets of glass separated by an oil. This forms the VAP Steadywshot. tom. -->>> __________________ Lou Bruno

September 17th, 2004, 07:13 PM	#10
Ignacio Rodriguez Contributor Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Santiago, Chile Posts: 932	Is it likely that what I am seeing behind my front element is fungus? Sunlight might remove it in that case, right? Related thread: http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthrea...threadid=31913 __________________ Ignacio Rodríguez in the third world. @micronauta on Twitter. Main hardware: brain, eyes, hands.

September 21st, 2004, 02:27 AM	#11
Nick Hope Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Bangkok, Thailand Posts: 189	Sony Thailand have quoted me just 30 dollars to clean the mould so I'm going for it. I'll let you all know how it goes.

September 21st, 2004, 05:42 AM	#12
Andre De Clercq Major Player Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Belgium Posts: 804	Fireflies mostly find their origin in the back and forth reflections between the flat front of the VAP and the flat (poorly coated) protection filters that many people add in front of the cam optics.

September 21st, 2004, 06:14 AM	#13
Lou Bruno Go Cycle Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Huntington, NY Posts: 815	Yes, that is also correct. A good coated lens such as B+W would prevent spot flaring. However, the "firefly" situation with the SONY camera looks different and is corrected by turning off the stabilzer. <<<-- Originally posted by Andre De Clercq : Fireflies mostly find their origin in the back and forth reflections between the flat front of the VAP and the flat (poorly coated) protection filters that many people add in front of the cam optics. -->>> __________________ Lou Bruno

September 21st, 2004, 08:48 AM	#14
Andre De Clercq Major Player Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Belgium Posts: 804	Fireflies are still there if the OIS is turned off, but they don't jump that much anymore if the cam is handheld.

September 21st, 2004, 09:39 AM	#15
Mike Rehmus Wrangler Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vallejo, California Posts: 4,049	<<<-- Originally posted by Andre De Clercq : Fireflies mostly find their origin in the back and forth reflections between the flat front of the VAP and the flat (poorly coated) protection filters that many people add in front of the cam optics. -->>> Unfortunately, that is not the case. The fireflies are caused internally in the lens and it occurs even if you don't have a filter on the front. __________________ Mike Rehmus Hey, I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel!