My Jupiter-8 arrived...

[POSTI-Tuomo]

So it did. After a reasonable 2 weeks of waiting. And it is just as described, if you don't count stiff focusing 😡. And this makes Tuomo a bit sad 🙁. Otherwise the beautiful baby is clean, aperture blades look devoid of oil and stopping is smooth. But the focusing ring is stiff (so stiff that it will unmount every now and then). Can't get around that, now can you?

What do you think I should do? Return it? Ask for a price reduction? Take the thing apart and see what's wrong? Weep till my tear ducts run dry?

Well, here's a picture of my current camera setup anyway: http://www.kolumbus.fi/posti.tuomo/kuvat/imagedump/jupiter8.jpg

 

[Mauro]

Dear Posti Tuomo, try this link
http://www3.telus.net/public/kaylalyn/Jupiter-8 dismantle.html)
and let me know your results.

Ciao

 

[robin a]

Hi,I have J12 that had stiff focus,I just excersized it back and forth and it freed up perfectly.You might try this before tearing into it........Robin

 

[Mauro]

Dear Posti Tuomo,
I am sorry: I have discovered that the link does not work: but I have the printed instructions, so I may scan and send them to you. Please let me know if you like it.
By the way, once cleaned and lubricated, it is a wonderful lens!

Ciao

 

[Mauro]

Dear Posti Tuomo,
here you have another link:
http://www.pentax-manuals.com/repairs/j8service.pdf
Hope it helps you!

 

[POSTI-Tuomo]

Mauro, PM sent. You all are such a helpful bunch! 🙂

EDIT: Oh, you found another link, nice! Do you mind sending me that other guide as well? 🙂

 

[POSTI-Tuomo]

Robin, exercising the focusing ring at the moment. Do you think a little warmth would help me in my attempts? Maybe that will make the old lubes soften up a bit....

 

[Kim Coxon]

Hi,
I have yet to get a J8 or just about any other FSU lens that was not stiff. It is the candle wax thet call grease!. Someone has already posted the link to the instructions for a re-lube on my website. It really isn't that difficult to do but remember to use a silicon based grease rather than an automotive one and definately not oil. Your lens looks to be one of the easier ones to do. However all 3 versions are covered by my instructions. If you have any problems get back to me and I will try and help.

Kim

And it is just as described, if you don't count stiff focusing 😡. And this makes Tuomo a bit sad 🙁.

 

[captainslack]

Relubing the focusing helicals is no big deal on the J-8. Follow Kim's instructions and you should be OK.

 

[Kim Coxon]

Heat is only a short term cure at best and can cause the grease to separate and creep onto the blades and worse still the glass.

Kim

Robin, exercising the focusing ring at the moment. Do you think a little warmth would help me in my attempts? Maybe that will make the old lubes soften up a bit....

 

[POSTI-Tuomo]

So no heating, roger.

Alright, that manual of Kim's will prove invaluable in the coming days! Yet again, your helpfulness fills my soul with this pink, warm fuzzy feeling!

Erhm... I'll get me coat.

 

[reagan]

Yep, that's why we pay Kim the big bucks. The re-lube is fun, even for an old fart like me with failing eyesight and fat fingers. Take your time, make notes, mark things, have fun. Work in a small tray so those leedle screws don't get away. You'll love the J.8, and don't let the yak.butter grease discourage you; it's standard equipment. Sort of the "anointing oil" of FSUs. 😉

 

[Kim Coxon]

Hey, how come I have never seen any of them!!!!!!!!!!!

Kim

Yep, that's why we pay Kim the big bucks.

 

[reagan]

Hey, how come I have never seen any of them!!!!!!!!!!!

I just got off the phone with joe. He said, "The checks are in the mail."

 

[manfromh]

My J8 needs relube also. Is it okay to use lithium grease?

 

[robin a]

Robin, exercising the focusing ring at the moment. Do you think a little warmth would help me in my attempts? Maybe that will make the old lubes soften up a bit....

YUP.......just body heat outta work.........Robin

 

[POSTI-Tuomo]

Okay, then! Managed to relube my J8 and did a similar job on my I-22 lens, which I managed to drop on the floor once, no damage done to it luckily!

There was a hefty load of dried grease on the helices of both lenses... Gave them a good petrol and brush treatment. Both of the lenses now focus smoothly, I-22 being the smoother one and J8 a bit stiffer but no way that stiff it was before (would unmount during focusing!)...must be the bulk of the lens. I am satisfied with them now. Off to shoot!