katgut@earthlink.net
Established
I recently acquired a new-ish Elmar-M 50 2.8 lens. the focusing is a bit stiff, and I had tried a little vaseline on the threads, but it's still stiff. Is there another lube I can apply myself?
thanks
thanks
benmacphoto
Well-known
I use sewing machine oil. Works like a charm. Helps with focusing in colder weather as well
johnastovall
Light Hunter - RIP 2010
sperm whale oil.
dberger
Established
Micro-Tools (http://www.micro-tools.com/) has a full range of camera and hobby tools. Check the Lubricants section of their website for all of your lube needs, including helical grease.
Cheers,
David
Cheers,
David
hjagis
Member
Try Trumpet valve oil. Works well on the "Green Slime" from Agfa
KoNickon
Nick Merritt
Micro-Tools is a good source. I was also going to suggest a lithium grease.
FallisPhoto
Veteran
Nye watch oil, Hoppes gun lubricants. Both of those are proven to work well in cameras.
Rob-F
Likes Leicas
I'll get flamed for this, but WD-40 does a good job of freeing up an older lens with congealed lubricant. Be sure to use a very small amount, keeping it only on the focusing threads. You don't want to put it where it might leak into the barrel. I will apply one drop, and then work the lens until the WD-40 is distributed. I'll apply one more drop as needed. If that doesn't work, I would not use any more. But so far, it has always worked. I even freed up a stiff diaphram control on a Summar this way. In that case, I applied less than one drop. I just coated the tip of a toothpick with WD-40 and transferred it to the lens from the toothpick. It didn't take much.
mooge
Well-known
uhh, light oil such as ny oil and the like are not a good choice for lubing a lens helical. unless you want it to turn really really easily.
clean everything out with lighter fluid, that dissolves the old grease. once dryand clean, use grease, not oil. I have some Lithium grease I used on my Kiev 4's helical, it's probably too loose for your liking, the Kiev is supposed to be nice ans loose, most lenses are 'stiff' to some degree.
you may have to try various types (densities?) of grease to get a 'feel' that is to your liking.
and WD-40 works well as a light oil/camera lubricant... if you seperate it. spray some in a jar, you'll see little specks of stuff (apparently parrafin) that settle. pick up the liquid with some tweezers, a little goes a long way.
and this is PROVEN, I ressurected a Kiev-4 with WD-40 in the above manner.
good luck!
clean everything out with lighter fluid, that dissolves the old grease. once dryand clean, use grease, not oil. I have some Lithium grease I used on my Kiev 4's helical, it's probably too loose for your liking, the Kiev is supposed to be nice ans loose, most lenses are 'stiff' to some degree.
you may have to try various types (densities?) of grease to get a 'feel' that is to your liking.
and WD-40 works well as a light oil/camera lubricant... if you seperate it. spray some in a jar, you'll see little specks of stuff (apparently parrafin) that settle. pick up the liquid with some tweezers, a little goes a long way.
and this is PROVEN, I ressurected a Kiev-4 with WD-40 in the above manner.
good luck!
xayraa33
rangefinder user and fancier
do not use any oil or grease that will run and get inside your lens and fall on the glass elements.
a lithium grease with a high and low temp rating will be ok but
a lens like that should be sent to a qualified tech so the helical can be dismantled, cleaned and lube jobbed with the proper lube .
a lithium grease with a high and low temp rating will be ok but
a lens like that should be sent to a qualified tech so the helical can be dismantled, cleaned and lube jobbed with the proper lube .
FallisPhoto
Veteran
Oops! I missed the part about how this was for a focusing helical. I use some of the lubes used for greasing bicycle chains for this. Get the stuff that is white and 100% synthetic. I think automotive grease is a little too thick and in hot weather, some automotive greases that are not purly synthetic can seperate, running thick oil into the lens. Also, remember that a little bit goes a long way.