best lube for lens?

[katgut@earthlink.net]

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

 

[benmacphoto]

I use sewing machine oil. Works like a charm. Helps with focusing in colder weather as well

 

[johnastovall]

sperm whale oil.

 

[dberger]

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

 

[hjagis]

Try Trumpet valve oil. Works well on the "Green Slime" from Agfa

 

[KoNickon]

Micro-Tools is a good source. I was also going to suggest a lithium grease.

 

[FallisPhoto]

Nye watch oil, Hoppes gun lubricants. Both of those are proven to work well in cameras.

 

[Rob-F]

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]

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!

 

[xayraa33]

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 .

 

[FallisPhoto]

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

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.