lens spanner

[Kat]

Just want to ask advice from those who regularly tinker with their cameras...Would a set like this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=7629575177&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT

be enough for most cameras and most repair purposes?

 

[Kim Coxon]

Hi Kat,
I got a set similar to these and have rarely used them except for rare occasions. I find a set of modified much more versatile and cheaper. If you want something slightly better, I would try something like this. http://cgi.ebay.com/Film-Camera-Mai...4QQihZ017QQcategoryZ30038QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Kim

Just want to ask advice from those who regularly tinker with their cameras...Would a set like this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=7629575177&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT

be enough for most cameras and most repair purposes?

 

[john neal]

I would advise against buying from the Indian seller of these on evilbay - he takes your money and never ships - I was lucky and got my money back after 3 months of email wrangling.

The other sellers above look interesting though....

 

[Kim Coxon]

The link I got was to a US seller OldEnglishChina. To be fair to them, I have used them in the past with no problem though their quality matches their low price. 😉 On the othe hand Japan Hobby Tool sell first rate stuff and their delivery is very quick. Very similar to dealinf with Aki Asahi.

Kim

I would advise against buying from the Indian seller of these on evilbay - he takes your money and never ships - I was lucky and got my money back after 3 months of email wrangling.

The other sellers above look interesting though....

 

[pshinkaw]

I have two sets of spanners similar to these. I have had to modify them by regrinding the tips. Even so, they are not entirely satisfactory and there are some applications where I simply will not risk damaging the lens by using them.

Unless they are for one-time use, you will probably end up buying something better in a short while.

-Paul

 

[Kat]

I cannot afford the nice-looking set Kim pointed me to, but at least I save money instead of spending it on something that won't let me get the job done. Thanks for the tips on this one.🙂

 

[Kim Coxon]

Look at post 16 on this thread. Cost about $2 and 15 mins work 😉

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=19942&highlight=lens+spanner

Kim

I cannot afford the nice-looking set Kim pointed me to, but at least I save money instead of spending it on something that won't let me get the job done. Thanks for the tips on this one.🙂

 

[Kat]

Thanks, Kim. I'll have to ask my sis if she has any tools that can do that to a pair of pliers. Or maybe scissors.🙂 Only tools I know are screwdrivers.😱

 

[Xmas]

Kat

Any fine tooth file will do, as pliers or scissors should be softer steel, although a vice to hold the pliers or scissors in while you file would help. Ideaqlly the Pliers or scissors should be easy to hold in situ on the lens.

One needs to only file the pliers until the fit in the lens ring is just possible as one does not want to slip and gouge the glass or the lens rings, a nice tight fit will help security, if you are really lucky the rings wont be too tight. If the rings are tight, then stop make tea, and think or post a panic message, try not to take a risk and gouge anything...

If you have multiple rings then deface several pliers scissors...

Good luck

Noel

 

[Kat]

Guys, I'm thinking again of finally getting a spanner from Micro tools. I'd like something for overall use (opening front element and top cover), but would like to also keep budget below $50. Which of the following, if any, would be the most useful?

spanner wrench small or medium (sp2 or sp3)
3-piece set (SP-SET)
spanner wrench lens ring tool (SP1)

 

[Xmas]

I thought we said filing needle nosed pliers was the cheap option? The other tools is the lump of rubber on doweling, which is used as a friction screwdriver...
If you use a spanner on a top plate and it slips... , whereas the friction screwdriver will merely remove some grime, as it bounces.

Noel

 

[dmr]

The ebay listing does not work for me.

Let me find a photo of the spanner I have, which works fine for the GIII and the Mamiya SD. It's a no-brand thing, might have been made as a one of a kind in a machine shop. You can compare that to the on-line ones.

Edit: Here is the image of the armamentaria for the recalibration procedure, which includes the spanner. (Yes, Kim, it's coming Real Soon Now.) 🙂

 

[ywenz]

Question about the using the spanner..

When tightening the lens, are you suppose to orient the lens facing down ( meaning the loose center core drops to the front of the lens as you are tightening it) Or are you supose to hold the lens facing up ( meaning the center core drops to the back of the lens as you are tightening it).

Would the minute difference in the two ways affect the lens' focus ability?

 

[Xmas]

Ywenz

Each situation might be different, Russ describes how to do the J8 front element on his site

http://www3.telus.net/public/rpnchbck/index.html

using a vibrator! tusk tusk

Noel

P.S. the most critical parameters are centralisation and skew, you get these wrong and the lens is a coke bottle.

 

[Kat]

I thought we said filing needle nosed pliers was the cheap option? The other tools is the lump of rubber on doweling, which is used as a friction screwdriver...
If you use a spanner on a top plate and it slips... , whereas the friction screwdriver will merely remove some grime, as it bounces.

Noel

Yep, I made do but I like my tools as they are meant to be. I tend to slip, etc. with DIY/modified tools and gave my cams about a million scratches as well as cut myself in the process. I was hoping that a spanner meant for the job I'll use it for will make things easier.

So far I have not yet found a friction screwdriver in the local stores where I'm at, but what I really need is something to open up the front element (top plate would just be icing on the cake).

 

[vicmortelmans]

If you don't need a spanner regularly, the cheapest but effective solution is to take a small piece of wood (let's say 20 by 20 by 100 mm) and two nails (50mm) and hit them through the wood at the required distance.

This will deliver you with a spanner of fixed width.

Groeten,

Vic

 

[Xmas]

Kat

I was trying to save your $£, the pliers may be better than a spanner.

You can do just as much damage with a spanner.

The friction is something you make up for your self, they need a length of doweling (dependent upon the size of your hand) and bits of rubber, e.g. stoppers from bottles, chair leg ends, ... anything. They are unlikely to mar.

The other thing to be aware of is the left handed threads...

Noel