Lubricants?

[CliveC]

As a strict amateur in camera repair, is there a recommended general use lubricant for moving parts of cameras? Not really for shutters or aperture blades, but for stuff like focusing rings, film advance knobs, rewind knobs and such.

I've heard all sorts of things from sewing machine oil to Vaseline.

The application I have on hand right now is lubricating a Moskva 5 film advance knob. I plan to disassemble the mechanism, wipe off the old, probably dried, oil, and relube.

 

[geyes30]

I've heard great things about Micro-tools helical grease S-10 (newly back in stock!). I just bought some this week and will test it out on my 5cm summicron. For something cheaper and stiffer, Helimax XP is pretty good (http://www.microlubrol.com/krytoxgpl205lubricantgrease-2oz57gmtube-4-3-3-1-2.aspx). I've tried this, and it is not too stiff, holds up well in this frigid winter, and does not seem to have any downsides for most applications. I got the S-10 just because I prefer my focusing ring looser. Personal taste, really.

 

[ZeissFan]

Micro-Tools sells lubricants of various viscosities for different applications.

Rewind knobs can sometimes benefit from a tiny amount of light lubricants but often don't need any.

Keep wet lubrication out of shutters, although camera repair author Thomas Tomosy suggests using a mixture of graphite and lighter fluid on shutters. The lighter fluid dries, leaving behind the graphite as a dry lubricant. Always blow out the excess with some compressed air.

With certain shutters, a small amount of grease can be applied to the inside of the shutter cocking ring. This usually applies only to the Compur, and even then you can get by without it.

I think camera makers sometimes put some grease on the shutter selector ring. and on the part that makes contact with the stationary name plate.

For helicals, I've been using a combination of white lithium grease and the medium grease from Micro-Tools. The result is very smooth focusing action.

You should pick up Tomosy's Vol. 1 on camera repair if you plan to service cameras. Lots of good information in there.

 

[Particular]

I've used 'Super Lube with PTFE' as a medium weight grease, I use their multipurpose synthetic based oil on faster moving parts. Synthetic watch makers oil is probably thinner, and better for shutter mechanisms.
I also use a heavy equipment grease with teflon (PTFE) and Molybdenum on helical threads, although the Super Lube will probably also work for that. It is a great all round grease, it is clear, and I believe it is even food safe.

 

[Landshark]

since you're dealing with an advance knob. cleaning it will make a big difference.
a light grease, (wipe on, wipe off) should be fine.
if you can see excess grease, you've used too much.

 

[titrisol]

At some point someone told me
- Parts that move fast (gears/shafts) = oil (light oil for light load / heavy oil for high load)
- Metal sheets moving fast (shutter blades) = dry lubricant
- Parts that move "slow" = grease (lighter for low load, heavier for high load )