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DPChallenge Forums >> Tips, Tricks, and Q&A >> DIY Lens Repair?
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Showing posts 1 - 13 of 13, (reverse)
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 12/14/2007 08:24:22 AM · #1
I have been using an old Zenit E for a while now that was given to me by my grandfather, but the focus ring on one of the lenses is VERY stiff (so much so that it can hurt to actually move it while trying to stop the lens unscrewing from the mount).
Id really like to use this as the main lens on the camera as it opens up to f.2, but right now the focus ring is rather limiting. The aperture ring is lovely and smooth with no problems. Does anyone have any suggestions for loosening it up?
I am seriously considering a very small amount of WD40 lubricant dripped (not sprayed) into the focus ring mechanism. The lens is fully manual with no electronics whatsoever to worry about but I dont want to put too much oil in and have it running around inside the lens.
Any suggestions?
 12/14/2007 08:54:00 AM · #2
I have taken a fully mechanical lens apart. As long as you are careful and make notes or take photos to help you reassemble, I'd say give it a go!
 12/14/2007 09:00:26 AM · #3
don't use wd40 !!
if there are any plastic / rubber components they will melt !!!
(even seals that you can't see ... )
(that being said -- yes i would try to take it apart )
really f/.2 !! or more likely f/1.2 ;)

12/14/2007 09:11:51 AM · #4
what about 'standard' oil (we have something here called ''3 in 1'', general purpose oil)? is that likely to harm the seals?
 12/14/2007 09:19:09 AM · #5
Originally posted by andersbs:
what about 'standard' oil (we have something here called ''3 in 1'', general purpose oil)? is that likely to harm the seals?

yes
oil likes to spread ..
a minuscule amount of lithium grease may be ok ONCE it is apart
& stay away from the blades
& check out yahoo groups Nikon repair
12/14/2007 09:27:32 AM · #6
Im in the process of taking it apart, will let you know how it goes haha. Thanks for your help guys!
 12/14/2007 09:37:01 AM · #7
try to take LOTS of pics from different angles...

12/14/2007 09:37:21 AM · #8
Old rubber seals will probably have expanded over time. Silicon grease is normally OK for rubber seals in general, although I don't know about cameras specifically.

Good luck with the repairs. Hey, take some photos of the lens while it's in bits, and post them here. You can enter it into "I bought this *!@^(*$& on Ebay, and it fell to bits!". :)
12/14/2007 10:07:56 AM · #9
Success! Thanks for all the advice people, I dont think I would have attempted to take it apart without some encouragement ;)
Was suprisingly easy! Loosened 3 screws (tiny buggers) on the focus ring, which allowed the ring to lift off the back of the lens. Then extended the focus mechanism fully and was able to see the screw thread for the lens mech. After cleaning away the old grease, I applied a tiny bit of Vasaline of all things! Figured it wouldnt wander as much as oil.
After finally managing to reset the focus ring screws in their depressions I just tightened them up and now the lens works fine!
Is there any way to upload pictures to the forum?
 12/14/2007 10:45:38 AM · #10
Originally posted by andersbs:

Is there any way to upload pictures to the forum?


You can link to photos hosted elsewhere, using the "insert hyperlink" button above the text entry box in the Post Reply screen.

BTW, you may see the vaseline migrate if the lens is subjected to even moderately high temperatures. It melts. There are greases meant specifically for lens helicals, and there are different grades with different viscosities. The synthetic materials are the best ones, they tend to have lower rates of change in viscosity with temperature.
 12/14/2007 11:33:24 AM · #11
If all else fails, there's this page detailing DIY lens repairs. It was linked through Strobist the other day.
 12/14/2007 01:07:30 PM · #12
Yeah, that's the one I immediately thought of.
 12/14/2007 02:23:46 PM · #13
teflon spray lube is amazing stuff!
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