Damage on this Silvernose Zuiko 50 f/1.4

[p.giannakis]

Hi everyone,

A few months ago I bought this zuiko off ebay. I haven't used it much but yesterday that i took it out I noticed that this part of the lens mount is broken - I can push it with my finger and it will break completely (notice the crack shown with white).

Is it a serious damage? What is this part of the lens mount used for?

REgards,
Pan

 

[Sarcophilus Harrisii]

It won't affect the basic operation of the lens. Three possible reasons for its presence come to mind. First, perhaps it impacts on internal reflections through the mirror box? Secondly, does it need to engage with anything inside the lens mount of the camera? (My only Olympus SLR is an FTL which is M42, so my own experience with OMs and the like is limited). Thirdly (and perhaps most likely?) it would provide a physical buffer against the rear element of the lens being damaged, if it is placed bayonet side down with the focus near infinity. I suspect one of our members can provide a more definitive reason for its presence.

If I was in your situation and had no ability/desire to return it, I would either swap the part involved from a donor lens, or use epoxy to re-inforce the damaged part for use. Depending on what the part is made of (cheese re-inforced pot metal, perhaps?) either high strength Araldite or JB Weld would both be more than adequate for a non-structural component such as the above.
Cheers
Brett

 

[lynnb]

it engages with a rotating collar that is near the 8 o'clock position behind the lens mount (approx inside where the DOF preview button is). Not sure what that part does. As long as it engages with the rotating collar, should be no problem.

 

[p.giannakis]

I keep checking the Olympus OM-1n and it seems that it does not engage with anything. The rotary collar that Lynn mentions (if i am right) is the speed collar that rotates. when the lens is on the body, it rests at around 8 o'clock but i cannot see anything on the camera body that it engages with....

 

[zuiko85]

It's just a 'stand off' to protect the rear mechanism of the lens in case you would set the lens down on a hard surface without a rear cap. Otherwise it's not necessary.

 

[p.giannakis]

Thanks guys, that's useful info.