-----Original Message----- From: Ruben <ruben@xxxxxxxxx> Sent: Apr 11, 2005 9:28 PM To: rollei_list@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [rollei_list] Re: recoating and polishing the Xenotar lens On another list - range finder forum - also a nice place - one member sent his front element off his Summicron to ARAX in the Ukraine and had it pulished and coated for 30 USD ! he was vey happy with the result. ARAX - as far as I understand - rebuild KIEV cameras to meet vestern standards and recement and coat lenses - I have not yet heard negative of the company !?! - anyone comment on that ?? There is a small scratch on my Daugters Xenar front element on her 1953 3,5 75 automat and I would like either a new front element or a pulishing/coating - is it posible to change the front element on a Xenar or is it individually fitted to the camera ?? I do not mind paying for labour and good work but a simple CLA in Danmark will cost you 350-500 USD without spare parts - the postage of sending a box of cameras to the US were I understand many of the best camera doctors recide is about 150-200 USD two ways - is anyone familiar with a workshop that can fix leicas/rolleis/hasselblads in Scandinavia/germany at reasonable prices ?? All the best Ruben Arax may be an alternative but I think I would want to know more about them before sending a lens or a part of a lens off to them. Generally, the elements of lenses are matched. Its possible for a front cell from one Tessar type to work on another but there is generally some production variation. A single scratch won't hurt things much, certainly not as much as a plethora of very fine scratches. I would just leave the lens alone. BTW, if you change the lens you might loose the match between it and the finder lens. This is critical in TLR's If you can get a good taking lens and good viewing lens from a junked camera you are home free. -- Richard Knoppow dickburk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Los Angeles, CA, USA