How I Beat the Dreadful Russian Lens Grease !

[@chromagraphphotoart]

Definitely available in the UK. I have a bottle right in front of me 99%, also called Isopropanol. It's often used as a component of record cleaning fluid.

[@leonarddavis8449]

Perhaps you could give us an update in a few weeks, just in case the alcohol drys out the grease more. I enjoy the tips and tricks. Excellent.

[@philipstrachan455]

Nicely done Peter! Thanks for sharing.

[@paulhart2065]

I’ve got a Fuji S6500 digital but I don’t know where to start. I have set the ISO to 200 but now what? I do wish Peter would share some basic tutorials. Best wishes to everyone. Paul.

[@theoldfilmbloke]

Please scroll around my Channel - you will FIND Basic Tutorials on all sorts of subjects

[@diegoscopia]

I had a similar issue and used lighter fluid. It's much easier to find but evaporates really quickly, and better work with it on a place with good ventilation. But it works really well for cleaning old grease, even the tough one from the soviets and the awful green Agfa stuff.

[@tonywhitmore]

I've bought IPA in aerosol cans online, very useful for contact cleaning in electronics.

[@aag24]

You can buy "rubbing alcohol" which is the same thing. You can also buy 99% by mail order!

[@GSchmitable]

Being an American and not being able to find this alcohol in this country, I've wondered why. I think the reason was because there are people who will try to drink it here.

[@richardjames3022]

I have purchased Isopropyl Alcohol from Amazon in 1 litre bottles, when available

[@borderlands6606]

You could fry your chips in that grease. I find the Industar 61 LD lens to be the best of the bunch. It has Lanthanum coating, another 4-element Tessar type.

[@andrewwilkin1923]

Tend to use 3 in 1 oil. It thins out the grease and doesn't evaporate.

[@urbanimage]

That's probably a better idea.

[@rossmansell5877]

Watch repairers love this truff 3@1...its a money maker for them as it clogs up the worls very early..its really bycycle oil!!!

[@urbanimage]

@@rossmansell5877 On the other hand, the cost of having something like this professional repaired would be prohibitive for most people.

[@kd1841]

I purchase this Alcohol at 91% at Walmart. It’s usually just below the more common 70% and is sold close to the BandAids aka Plasters.

[@theoldfilmbloke]

we do not have Walmart in England and the Air Fare would make it a bit Expensive to go to USA to purchase -- Ha Ha !

[@kd1841]

@@theoldfilmbloke yes, so true, Haha! I guess you can get it at Aldi or Tesco. 😉

[@paul-os4rq]

That’s a great little fix. You’ve got a nice useable lens there. Look forward to seeing some shots taken with it. What will you put it on?

[@theoldfilmbloke]

i have tried it with my 1946 LEICA IIIc and my Russian FED 4 BUT the FED 4 has a small HOLE top of shutter curtain so I get a Blob of FOGGING at bottom of frames . I have results on my FLICKR account www.flickr.com/photos/25850987@N03/54088236484/in/dateposted-public/

[@arricammarques1955]

Don't hesitate a few drops will do ya, mate!

[@flyingo]

Isopropyl alcohol doesn’t do too much good unless you’ve got the 90+% strength.. I have 99% IA. And even then it takes a very long time to penetrate old dirt & grease. To me, it looks like you got lucky with that 70% stuff. Don’t be surprised if you’ll need to do this again soon.