Lens wrench recommendation

[mto'brien]

Hi Brian (et al),

I am interested in getting into DIY lens cleaning and was wondering if you could recommend wrenches, especially for threaded retaining rings with the opposing notches? Is it ok to use the adjustable pliers type spanner, or is it better to get a set of fixed wrenches? What does your lens tool kit consist of?

Thanks for any help!

 

[mooge]

I got a set of pliers at the dollar store (well... it cost $2), ground the tips down to pins with a dremel tool. works pretty well... but it can scratch if you're not really careful. this and a real needle nose plier have covered all my retaining ring troubles so far.

cheers.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

My Kitchen Table with and Cafeteria Tray:

I use an inexpensive spanner, like many on Ebay, and a very-fine tip pliers for 95% of the rings that I run into.

The adjustable spanner gets the opposing slotted rings. The pliers get small diameter rings, such as the cover for a Canon 7 vertical adjustment cap.

For really stuck rings: I found an ancient spanner from the 1950s that was sold in Edmund's Scientific.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

I bend the tips of the pliers as required.

 

[Krosya]

I can recommend a good HAMMER! 😉 - it comes handy with some lenses that dont want to get adjusted 😉

 

[Sonnar Brian]

A Hammer, have not tried that.

I go straight to the DREMEL when a lens is that bad.

 

[mto'brien]

Hammer? Dremel? you guys are hardcore. I usually just repeatedly bash away with the heel of an old wingtip until everything is loosened up. Otherwise known as "The Florsheim Treatment". 🙂

But seriously, thanks for the replies. Most helpful!