kain500
Newbie
So i have a Summarit 50/1.5 that is incredibly stiff to focus.
I am thinking about attempting to lubricate the focus helical myself.
I'm not really interested in sending it somewhere for a CLA, as I just paid for the lens optics to be cleaned. Also I had to send it back to get a huge chunk of black paint removed that fell off the inside rim of the lens in between elements. Plus the holidays are coming up and I'd rather have the lens on hand for shooting.
I've removed the very rear piece that has the DOF scale which mounts to the lens flange of the camera and saw that the brass helical that screws to this piece is freshly lubricated.
The brass piece that holds the three screws and turns around that helical, which goes deeper into the lens body, has no lubricant and looks a bit dried and funky. Is this part supposed to be lubed? B/C I suspect this is the part that is causing the extreme stiffness.
I read in an older rff thread that basic Vaseline works well for the grease required for lubricating a focus helical. Light machine oils are a no-no as they tend to end up all over the inside of a lens. ...Vaseline?
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
I am thinking about attempting to lubricate the focus helical myself.
I'm not really interested in sending it somewhere for a CLA, as I just paid for the lens optics to be cleaned. Also I had to send it back to get a huge chunk of black paint removed that fell off the inside rim of the lens in between elements. Plus the holidays are coming up and I'd rather have the lens on hand for shooting.
I've removed the very rear piece that has the DOF scale which mounts to the lens flange of the camera and saw that the brass helical that screws to this piece is freshly lubricated.
The brass piece that holds the three screws and turns around that helical, which goes deeper into the lens body, has no lubricant and looks a bit dried and funky. Is this part supposed to be lubed? B/C I suspect this is the part that is causing the extreme stiffness.
I read in an older rff thread that basic Vaseline works well for the grease required for lubricating a focus helical. Light machine oils are a no-no as they tend to end up all over the inside of a lens. ...Vaseline?
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Vickko
Veteran
DYI is fine if you are skilled
Did you do the "insert shaft into pin" trick to get the lens head off?
There is a sliding cylinder that must be well lubed for the focus to work. Don't flush clean it, disaster and lockup can happen. It happened to me.
Vick
Did you do the "insert shaft into pin" trick to get the lens head off?
There is a sliding cylinder that must be well lubed for the focus to work. Don't flush clean it, disaster and lockup can happen. It happened to me.
Vick
Vickko
Veteran
I use either White Lithium Grease from the hardware shop, or Vacuum Pump grease for old and with old and worn helicals. Never vaseline. Not made for lenses.
Rob-F
Likes Leicas
I have a tube of grease I bought in radio Shack that is in a gel form. They claim it stays where you put it, and does seem to be the case. I use it on Ektagraphic slide projectors. Maybe it would work it helicoids.
kain500
Newbie
Thanks for the grease info guys!
I checked out that thread but I think I need a clarification:
I see Brian mentioned the three set screws right below the aperture ring to index the f stops.
Then MikeL talks about the three ring screws and shows a picture of a screwdriver inserted into the focus ring.
1: I only have two screws in the focus ring.
2: Which screw hole do I insert the pin into? The screw hole furthest from the focus tab?
Thanks again for your knowledge guys!
I checked out that thread but I think I need a clarification:
I see Brian mentioned the three set screws right below the aperture ring to index the f stops.
Then MikeL talks about the three ring screws and shows a picture of a screwdriver inserted into the focus ring.
1: I only have two screws in the focus ring.
2: Which screw hole do I insert the pin into? The screw hole furthest from the focus tab?
Thanks again for your knowledge guys!
Brian Legge
Veteran
What brand of White Lithium Grease are you using? I tried one from Lucas and it definitely separated/migrated. Ended up cleaning it out but haven't figured out a replacement yet.
I use this one, have not noticed a problem in 5 years:
I use this one, have not noticed a problem in 5 years:
Vickko
Veteran
1. aperture ring - be careful there, one of them holds a ball bearing, for the click stops. Lose it, and you don't get clicks.
2. the hole for the pin - either of the two screws at the ring close to the back will do. You have to rotate the focus mount around, until the pin is engaged.
Hope this helps.
btw, once I got the optical head off, I lubed the cylindrical slider with shutter oil, until it freed up. It is as smooth as butter now. A joy to use.
I didn't dare take the cylindrical slider apart; I anticipated that it would take a very delicate touch to reassemble.
Key to camera repair - don't take it apart if you don't need to.
Vick
2. the hole for the pin - either of the two screws at the ring close to the back will do. You have to rotate the focus mount around, until the pin is engaged.
Hope this helps.
btw, once I got the optical head off, I lubed the cylindrical slider with shutter oil, until it freed up. It is as smooth as butter now. A joy to use.
I didn't dare take the cylindrical slider apart; I anticipated that it would take a very delicate touch to reassemble.
Key to camera repair - don't take it apart if you don't need to.
Vick
kain500
Newbie
awesome Vickko! I'll post my resulting success (or a warning if I fail! 
) when I get off work!
Thanks again guys!
Like I said earlier: This lens has been in the mail 2 times in as many months. ...Very empowering to do this myself.
) when I get off work!Thanks again guys!
Like I said earlier: This lens has been in the mail 2 times in as many months. ...Very empowering to do this myself.