u/Tex_Coe

This is one of my favorite M42 lenses, notable for its sharpness, bokeh and close focus distance. I can even mount it on a Contax RTS III with an adapter.

One of my favorite 35mm cameras.

Has anyone here taken this lens apart to clean fungus? I am having a hard time removing the ridged retaining ring to get to the inner elements. According to the serial number 166xxxx, it is separable, but the block is so small, I am having a hard time gripping it to turn it. I have all kind of tools for the job, but totally defeated by this lens. Any ideas as to what to do to take it apart?