Today I had a need to investigate the procurement of lubricants for camera shutters I work on from time to time (mainly various types of Compur mechanisms). I had placed an order for same with a prominent US specialist who has been unable to complete it, due to a shortage of stock, and as I have a couple of jobs pending I need suitable options sooner rather than later. Hence, I found myself spending no little time researching the various options available via a veritable plethora of web pages.
This is not as easy to do as it might seem. Moebius, for example, is just one company specialising in lubricants for horological use, but they have literally dozens of different products for incredibly specialised applications. Initially, it can be quite bewildering to know where to begin looking for those products best suited to camera applications.
In the process of my own research, I identified a few helpful links or documents which I have bookmarked for future reference. I thought I would pass them on, because there are a few of us at RFF who carry out our own repairs, and, with the adoption of the Classic Camera Repair Forum archives by the good Mr Gandy, it seems there are as many conversations about the intricacies of repairing cameras on this site as there are on most other websites, lately.
First up, we have Meadows and Passmore's UK-based site. The most notable item is this copy of the Moebius Sales Program. Whilst it might be an older document it's nevertheless quite useful as it details the applications for various oils and greases that are still in production, their viscosities at certain temperatures, and the temperature ranges they are best suited to.
Another item on the above page I'll mention is a short online book by Mervyn Passmore titled "Repairing Your Own Clocks". I mention it for two reasons. Firstly, the earliest shutter mechanisms owe their beginnings to the principles of clock and watch making, so it's good to know some background about this. Secondly, the techniques and skills used to Eg. reclaim a worn mechanism are quite interesting in themselves, and may appeal to some of the more technically-minded members here. Of course, most decent public libraries will have some texts on basic or even advanced horology practices, but it's not a bad primer, so, FYI.
Moebius are not the only option for speclialist lubricant supplies. US-based members from time to time will mention NYOIL as their lubricant of choice for various shutter components that may not like (or may not even be meant to) run dry. But which NYE oil? They do make more than one, including some specifically for horological applications which may be more suitable for camera mechanisms than their "main" product. Of course the company themsef have their own website where you can find a bit more information about some of their products, including their 140C Watch Oil.
Another company, Finding King, although thin on information about them, lists several different Nye watch and clock oils at the following web page. Nye lubricants seem good value for money compared to Moebius, for example, but the impression I have is that they do not appear to be tailored to specific applications to the extent of those products made by the latter.
Finally we have Alliance Horlogere, which, according to their own description "...is a website designed to help watchmakers share technical information, tips and effective techniques relevant to our trade." Their "Under the Loupe" section has some useful articles and references about various specific lubricants (and many other fascinating topics for that matter). Their "Overview of Modern Watchmaking Lubricants" helps to place the qualities and functions of various types of oils and greases in context.
None of the above is, in any way, meant to constitute the final word on the topic of camera lubricants. It's really just a starting point. I've posted the links in the hope it will save other members time, if they need to procure suitable oils or greases for their own camera repair work. References to various companies such as Moebius or Nye are not intended to be endorsements of their products, either, they're simply representative of some of the choices that are available: there are other manufacturers of lubricants suitable for camera applications, such as Losimol, for instance, whose products have been used by Franke and Heidecke/DHW for decades. Having said that, in the interests of full disclosure, I should advise that I've invested in some Moebius lubricants (they're the dominant brand in this field in my view, and, hence were simply the most widely available and the easiest to get sent to me in Australia at a not-too-extortionate cost).
One last point should be noted. Certain specialist oils, notably some used for pallet lubrication, or extreme cold conditions, should only be used in after the pre-application of a suitable "epilame" or "epilam" which is designed to increase the surface tension of the parts the lubricant is to be applied to (Eg. Moebius 941). Failure to select a suitable lubricant, or to use an appropriate epilame before application, if appropriate, may result in unacceptable performance of the mechanism involved. So it is important to do your homework before purchasing a product.
If anybody else has any good sources of information or materials please feel free to share them.
Cheers,
Brett
This is not as easy to do as it might seem. Moebius, for example, is just one company specialising in lubricants for horological use, but they have literally dozens of different products for incredibly specialised applications. Initially, it can be quite bewildering to know where to begin looking for those products best suited to camera applications.
In the process of my own research, I identified a few helpful links or documents which I have bookmarked for future reference. I thought I would pass them on, because there are a few of us at RFF who carry out our own repairs, and, with the adoption of the Classic Camera Repair Forum archives by the good Mr Gandy, it seems there are as many conversations about the intricacies of repairing cameras on this site as there are on most other websites, lately.
First up, we have Meadows and Passmore's UK-based site. The most notable item is this copy of the Moebius Sales Program. Whilst it might be an older document it's nevertheless quite useful as it details the applications for various oils and greases that are still in production, their viscosities at certain temperatures, and the temperature ranges they are best suited to.
Another item on the above page I'll mention is a short online book by Mervyn Passmore titled "Repairing Your Own Clocks". I mention it for two reasons. Firstly, the earliest shutter mechanisms owe their beginnings to the principles of clock and watch making, so it's good to know some background about this. Secondly, the techniques and skills used to Eg. reclaim a worn mechanism are quite interesting in themselves, and may appeal to some of the more technically-minded members here. Of course, most decent public libraries will have some texts on basic or even advanced horology practices, but it's not a bad primer, so, FYI.
Moebius are not the only option for speclialist lubricant supplies. US-based members from time to time will mention NYOIL as their lubricant of choice for various shutter components that may not like (or may not even be meant to) run dry. But which NYE oil? They do make more than one, including some specifically for horological applications which may be more suitable for camera mechanisms than their "main" product. Of course the company themsef have their own website where you can find a bit more information about some of their products, including their 140C Watch Oil.
Another company, Finding King, although thin on information about them, lists several different Nye watch and clock oils at the following web page. Nye lubricants seem good value for money compared to Moebius, for example, but the impression I have is that they do not appear to be tailored to specific applications to the extent of those products made by the latter.
Finally we have Alliance Horlogere, which, according to their own description "...is a website designed to help watchmakers share technical information, tips and effective techniques relevant to our trade." Their "Under the Loupe" section has some useful articles and references about various specific lubricants (and many other fascinating topics for that matter). Their "Overview of Modern Watchmaking Lubricants" helps to place the qualities and functions of various types of oils and greases in context.
None of the above is, in any way, meant to constitute the final word on the topic of camera lubricants. It's really just a starting point. I've posted the links in the hope it will save other members time, if they need to procure suitable oils or greases for their own camera repair work. References to various companies such as Moebius or Nye are not intended to be endorsements of their products, either, they're simply representative of some of the choices that are available: there are other manufacturers of lubricants suitable for camera applications, such as Losimol, for instance, whose products have been used by Franke and Heidecke/DHW for decades. Having said that, in the interests of full disclosure, I should advise that I've invested in some Moebius lubricants (they're the dominant brand in this field in my view, and, hence were simply the most widely available and the easiest to get sent to me in Australia at a not-too-extortionate cost).
One last point should be noted. Certain specialist oils, notably some used for pallet lubrication, or extreme cold conditions, should only be used in after the pre-application of a suitable "epilame" or "epilam" which is designed to increase the surface tension of the parts the lubricant is to be applied to (Eg. Moebius 941). Failure to select a suitable lubricant, or to use an appropriate epilame before application, if appropriate, may result in unacceptable performance of the mechanism involved. So it is important to do your homework before purchasing a product.
If anybody else has any good sources of information or materials please feel free to share them.
Cheers,
Brett
farlymac
PF McFarland
Thanks for the information, Brett. I was able to get an almost empty bottle of Mobius (don't know which one, as the front label is worn, and the rear one is half gone) from the local jeweler shop, and it worked on a very old Compur that came out of an Agfa Isolette.
I will on occasion use Super Lube on a Syncro-Compur, readily available in the hardware stores, or at Micro-Tools. One tube of that will last the rest of my lifetime. I apply it with small applicators meant for plastic model painting (Microbrush(r), available in different sizes at your local hobby store), then use a dry applicator to remove most of it, leaving just a thin layer.
Happy New Year!
PF
I will on occasion use Super Lube on a Syncro-Compur, readily available in the hardware stores, or at Micro-Tools. One tube of that will last the rest of my lifetime. I apply it with small applicators meant for plastic model painting (Microbrush(r), available in different sizes at your local hobby store), then use a dry applicator to remove most of it, leaving just a thin layer.
Happy New Year!
PF
Rob-F
Likes Leicas
That's quite a resource list! When WD-40 or 3-in-1 aren't good enough (they usually are not), I've been known to use: Outer's gun oil; Hunter Fan Oil; Singer Sewing machine oil. And I lube slide projectors with a gel grease I got in Radio Shack. It's designed to stay put, and not migrate around. I wonder if it would be good for lens focusing mounts. since it doesn't migrate, maybe that would keep it from getting onto glass surfaces?