Front Element Loose

gdmcclintock

gdmcclintock

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Not too long ago I purchased a 35mm Color Skopar from a member of the RFF. I like the contrasty sharpness of the lens. Unfortunately, the front element of the lens has become quite loose. I think this happened when I removed the lens hood to screw in a UV/IR filter. Despite this, the lens still seems sharp, at least on my M8, although I am now afraid to use the lens for any serious work with film. Is this looseness common to these lenses or am I just unlucky? Thanks! -George
 
Despite several views, no one commented on my post about the loose front element of my 35mm Color Skopar. I am not sure what to do with the lens as it's probably not worth the cost of repair and I do not have the skills to repair it myself. Sigh.... -George
 
gdmcclintock said:
Despite several views, no one commented on my post about the loose front element of my 35mm Color Skopar. I am not sure what to do with the lens as it's probably not worth the cost of repair and I do not have the skills to repair it myself. Sigh.... -George
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It's like a car wreck, George, we're rubbernecking. Cheer up, it probably won't cost that much to tighten it up! Can you post a close up of the front? Is there a ring holding the lens in? Often grocery stores have useful things 'bamboo skewers', you could try poking the ring tighter with those. Less chance of scratching something. For a permanent fix, you'd need someone with a lens spanner, if you have a repair shop locally I'm sure it wouldn't cost that much to tighten the ring...
 
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I would be surprised if several repair guys regularly mentioned on the forum would not fix this for a quite reasonable sum, even if it is more than simply spinning a retaining ring (verifying alignment). Yeoxin for example.

Or send it to Cosina.

What would you consider "not worth it" price wise?

If you want some commiseration, I found that a lens that was part of a set I bought was entirely missing its outer element. ;-)

Regards, John
 
If the face ring has become loose/untightened, see if gentle pressure allows it to rotate. If so, perhaps you simply need to retighten the ring.

If that isn't the problem, I'm sure that it would be a simple adjustment that any competent repair person could make in a few minutes/moments.
 
Thanks everyone for the good advice! I took a closer look at the lens and discovered that the entire lens is loose in its housing. (I don't know why I did not notice this before.) Jiggle the front element and the rear element moves too. This may explain why the lens still seems sharp: the movement happens when changing apertures, before I focus. -George
 
If the element cluster is loose - it is probably the retaining ring at the back that has shifted. Just try tightening it - two small slots in it and use a pair of needle nose pliers to screw it down.
The 35f2.5 II is a minute lens and I suspect that rings and threads are correspondingly minute so vibration, shakes or excessive torque on the front can loosen up the threaded parts.
 
Tom and Roland (ferider in a PM) nailed it! Using a small screwdriver, I was able to tighten the retaining ring. Problem solved and the lens is back on the camera! Thanks very much! -George
 
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