How to fix a dented filter ring?

[Avispartner]

I have a black Yashica Electro 35 GTN which is flawless, with the exception of a dented filter ring.

How does one fix that?

Thanks for sharing your insight.

Cheers from springtime Switzerland.
Rob

 

[sevo]

Best would be with a wood chisel and counter piece. Microtools sell a ready-made one (http://www.micro-tools.de/en/Camera-Tools/Dent-Remover.html) but anybody I know uses some similar home-made tool - that must be the most trivial DIY tool of them all...

Beware: You cannot avoid disassembling the lens - any force big enough to undent it may crack the glass...

 

[Particular]

Best would be with a wood chisel and counter piece. Microtools sell a ready-made one (http://www.micro-tools.de/en/Camera-Tools/Dent-Remover.html) but anybody I know uses some similar home-made tool - that must be the most trivial DIY tool of them all...

Beware: You cannot avoid disassembling the lens - any force big enough to undent it may crack the glass...

Isn't that just for indenting the camera housing (or a car body)? This is a the tool for filter rings:
http://www.micro-tools.com/store/P-LV1/Lens-Filter-Ring-Vise.aspx

 

[sevo]

Isn't that just for indenting the camera housing (or a car body)?

No, it will un-dent everything. For filter threads you don't need that fancy block, the edge of a board with a few lens sized cuts will do.

This is a the tool for filter rings:
http://www.micro-tools.com/store/P-LV1/Lens-Filter-Ring-Vise.aspx

That is the other option. A nice, very fast solution for adapter rings that are slightly out of shape. Not good for more significant damage like dents or kinks - the metal will usually tear if you use these on anything severe.

 

[peterm1]

A home made tool can be fabricated from a piece of board and a hole saw. Select a saw of a size similar to the size of the filter ring (slightly larger is better of course). Drill out a hole near the edge of the board (or drill it in the centre of the baord and then use a circular saw to split the board thru the middle of the just drilled hole). Keep the centre plug of wood from the hole. Take the board and mount it so the dge with the hole is facing upwards in a vice. If you place the filter ring in the "half hole", dent side down, you can then use the centre part of the hole that you have retained to press down (or tap down) so it presses on the inside of the filter ring - you may need to file the plug a bit smaller to fit inside the filter ring.

 

[farlymac]

Try my dowel and hammer method. http://flic.kr/s/aHsjtBaMur Sorry the photos don't show what I used for a backstop. And it can be done without taking the lens apart. Mike Feuerbacher has another method on his site http://feuerbacher.net/photo/repair/FilterRings/FilterRings.html

PF

 

[Landshark]

Try my dowel and hammer method. http://flic.kr/s/aHsjtBaMur Sorry the photos don't show what I used for a backstop. And it can be done without taking the lens apart.

PF

I use the same method but use a toothbrush with the brush cut off.
I't's nice if you have a piece of wood with a concave surface that roughly fits the diameter of the ring but not absolutely necessary.
With a flat support the camera can rotate slightly and it's possible to misshape the ring again.

 

[tstermitz]

It's a little scary with all that glass and metal. I've taken out a small dent in the aluminum filter ring with a dowel and hammer against a flat wood surface.

 

[Dave Jarosz]

The only down side to my purchase of a Contax IIIa was that the lens had a good ding in it. The dowel n' hammer method worked great. Gently tapping around the dinged area made it possible to now put on a lens hood. My Sonnar 1.5 looks better already! Thanks for the tip....... Dave

 

[Pfreddee]

Buy a new one???

With best regards.
Pfreddee(Stephen)

 

[oftheherd]

I have used the dowel and board twice. But it wasn't badly misformed. I would consider Sevo's advice for whatever you are doing.

 

[farlymac]

Before and after photos of a large dent removal.


Condition Survey 6 by br1078phot, on Flickr


Yashica IC Lynx-14E by br1078phot, on Flickr

Hammer away! It's not perfect yet, as I don't have any 58mm stuff to size it with.

PF