Is a lens spanner a lens spanner?

[merciful]

Per this thread, I'm about to buy a lens spanner to get the back off my Canon 50/1.2 so I can clean the recurrent haze. It's already been to DAG once, and I'm not spending the money to get it done again; so it's down to me. My question is: in 35mm format, is any lens spanner good enough for the job? As long as I don't get stupid and buy one for Rodenstock gear or something, I'm good, right?

And while we're on the subject: if someone's got a spare that'll do the job, I'd be glad to take it off your hands for a few bucks.

 

[pshinkaw]

There are good ones and bad ones. I have two pairs of $14 ones that are a risk for damaging glass everytime I use them.

Someday, before I start working on some valuable glass, I will buy a pair of these.

http://www.skgrimes.com/span/index.htm

-Paul

 

[jlw]

You need one with the correct-shaped tips. The tips need to fit the slots exactly, to reduce the risk of damage. It costs a bit more, but for my money it makes more sense to buy the type with interchangeable tips, as sold by Micro-tools and others.

Incidentally, if the haze in your Canon 50/1.2 is in the central group (near the diaphragm blades) you do NOT need a lens spanner to get at this area. Just loosen the tiny setscrew in the side of the barrel near the aperture ring, then unscrew the front ring. The entire front group unscrews in one piece, giving you access to the central surfaces on either side of the diaphragm.

 

[Flyfisher Tom]

The SK Grimes one are very well-made. Their custom stuff is another matter. But the spanner wrenches are very good. I'd recommend you get both sets, the broad and point head.

That is enough to open up the 50/1.2 (which is a relatively easy lens to self-service).

Some people make their own spanner wrenches out of long nose pliers (file the points to the right size). Might want to pm Kim Coxon, I seem to recall that he had done that before. Or maybe it was someone else.

good luck

 

[merciful]

Thanks lots, guys.

Turns out the haze was right where Paul suggested, and the whole cleanup took about ten minutes, including getting the set-screw back in (it fell out, obviously) with the help of my Leatherman. I'm not handy, if you hadn't guessed.

Last cleaning took two months at DAG and cost me about $100, shipping in.

It'll be nice to have a super-fast lens in prime condition again.

Cool!