Hektor 135 f4.5

[Anthsmith]

My Hektor 135 f4.5 is very stiff and Lock's on my 111 a camera basically it need's a good CLA. It has sentimental value, any ideas as to who is the best to approach for this kind of work.

 

[charjohncarter]

As long as you are not concerned about haze etc., the top section will come off leaving the focusing section. You could try to loosen with some solvent. Of take to any repair shop; it shouldn't be a difficult job.

 

[Godfrey]

My Hektor 135 f4.5 is very stiff and Lock's on my 111 a camera basically it need's a good CLA. It has sentimental value, any ideas as to who is the best to approach for this kind of work.

I'd send it to Don A Goldberg for a cleaning and lubrication. Send him an email (dagcam@chorus.net) to inquire about his current pricing and turnaround time for the job.

G

 

[Anthsmith]

Thank's I will send him a email.
Cheers Anth

 

[Anthsmith]

Don't want to disassemble the lens, as it was my fathers Cheers though

 

[02Pilot]

Is it the focusing that's stiff or the aperture? If the former, before sending it off for an expensive CLA, I'd put a drop or two of Ronsonol onto the helicoid (focus at infinity to expose the lower portion) and work the mechanism. After that, clean the exposed portion with an old toothbrush and more Ronsonol. Repeat until there's no residue from the old lubricants. Add a small amount of synthetic wheel bearing grease (or similar) to the helicoid. That should solve the problem, at least for a good long while.

If it's the aperture, well, that's more problematic. You can try a very small drop (use a syringe) of Ronsonol into the gap between the body and the aperture ring. This will loosen it up temporarily, but too much solvent and you risk it flowing into the optics.

It's an easy lens to work on since it's a simple optical design and it comes partially apart without tools, should you be so inclined to try cleaning it up yourself.

 

[Anthsmith]

Trouble is its well stuck and I am really reluctant to push it.

 

[02Pilot]

Try warming it up with a hair dryer for a couple minutes.

 

[Mark Wood]

Peter at CRR in Luton is one of the usual suggestions of UK repairers (and my experience of his work is excellent) but as his web site suggests, it's not clear whether he will be taking on any more work:

http://www.angelfire.com/biz/Leica/

Also, Malcolm Taylor is a well-acknowledged UK expert, who has repaired historical items for Leica/Leitz themselves:

https://www.yell.com/biz/malcolm-taylor-leica-specialist-leominster-3607553/

 

[Anthsmith]

Thank's I will drop them a line as well thanks for your help.

Anth