Old lens revival

AlwaysOnAuto

AlwaysOnAuto

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So I've got this old Wollensak 127mm lens that fits the M3 I inherited. It was looking rather sad as the glass was dirty and it didn't focus very smoothly either. I figured I'd try cleaning it up and see if I could get the focus to smooth out.
I'm not going to tell you what I used to lube the focus mechanism, but I'd like to know what I should have used.
It might not look all that pretty, but the glass is really clear and clean and the focus is smooth now.
What do you think? What should I have used on the focus?
 
It's a bit late to ask for suggestions for whatever it is that you should have used, when you've already used something else that you've used instead.

Isn't it... ? (!)
 
Now that all the wits have had their say :)D) I'm going to guess you used WD40. What should be used is something more like white lithium, and that sparingly. If you did use an oil based lubricant, I would suggest you go in and clean it out before it spreads.

I have a Jupiter 135mm I bought, that smells strongly of WD40. It hasn't spread yet so I'm being lazy, but I know whats ahead.
 
No, I didn't use WD-40. That isn't a lubricant.
What I did use is silicone based, leaves a dry, tack-free film that won't accumulate dust and dirt and provides corrosion protection.
I found the RF indicator (I'm not sure what the proper term for it is) was hanging up about half way thru the range of focus. This gave the lens a very 'loose' feel if you will. I used a foam tipped q-tip to apply it and also put it on the helical surface that this indicator rides on. Worked the lens a few times to spread it around and it now focuses smooth as a babies behind.
 
The very BEST lubricant for old Leica lenses is that which was originally specified by the sainted Oscar Barnack himself, to wit, the oil secreted by the anal glands of the female Silky Sifakar lemur, which is only found on Maromokotro mountain in Madagascar.

This oil, to be fully effective, must be allowed to mature for at least 10 years at a constant temperature in oak casks and be stirred once per month in an anti-clockwise direction.

This lubricant is understandably rare and not readily available in your local Walmart.

All is not lost, however.

Your Wollensak lens, being merely a Leica derivative and made to lesser tolerances, will be adequately lubed with margerine on its threads......(!)
 
Silicone Grease.
The sort used to lubricate rubber O rings in waterproof seals. Seems to work very well, Not as stiff as a lot of Greases.
 
dabick42 said:
The very BEST lubricant for old Leica lenses is that which was originally specified by the sainted Oscar Barnack himself, to wit, the oil secreted by the anal glands of the female Silky Sifakar lemur, which is only found on Maromokotro mountain in Madagascar.

This oil, to be fully effective, must be allowed to mature for at least 10 years at a constant temperature in oak casks and be stirred once per month in an anti-clockwise direction.

This lubricant is understandably rare and not readily available in your local Walmart.

All is not lost, however.

Your Wollensak lens, being merely a Leica derivative and made to lesser tolerances, will be adequately lubed with margerine on its threads......(!)
Click to expand...


In the Scotish built "Stewartry Trinol" they used the Fat rendered down from Haggis bones.
You can imagine how expensive & difficult to get hold of that is!
 
AlwaysOnAuto said:
No, I didn't use WD-40. That isn't a lubricant.
What I did use is silicone based, leaves a dry, tack-free film that won't accumulate dust and dirt and provides corrosion protection.
I found the RF indicator (I'm not sure what the proper term for it is) was hanging up about half way thru the range of focus. This gave the lens a very 'loose' feel if you will. I used a foam tipped q-tip to apply it and also put it on the helical surface that this indicator rides on. Worked the lens a few times to spread it around and it now focuses smooth as a babies behind.
Click to expand...

WD-40 is actually a good lubricant if you spray it into a paper cup and let it sit for a couple of days. The leftover residue is excellent.
 
Thanks for all the suggestions.
What would you recommend I use on my Summitar 50 collapsible?
The aperture ring is so tight that it unscrews the lens from the body.
 
Thanks Victor, very useful thread link.
I'll have to get some lighter fluid and give it a try. I think the lens is just stiff from sitting so long (25 yrs!).
 
AlwaysOnAuto said:
Thanks for all the suggestions.
What would you recommend I use on my Summitar 50 collapsible?
The aperture ring is so tight that it unscrews the lens from the body.
Click to expand...

I posted a thread about the Summitar. Had a similar problem with mine here.
If it is the coated version the aperture blades are very fiddly to get back. I suggest you leave them be! Leave the slotted control ring in place & dont tip your lens from the vertical!
Read through the whole process a couple of times. Before you start scattering aperture blades & screws all over the carpet!
Lighter fluid will just make your old grease run through the lens, eventually fogging lenses etc. I would avoid this method if I were you!
 
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I used some kind of synthetic lube from Radio Shack, don't remember the type but it is still working fine after 5 or so years.
 
I can send you the tips from Mr Tomosy`s Leica repair book.
I think he suggests you put them all in, in their approximate positions & then put the linkage in & wiggle till they all locate!

Found it. 2 different types of blade that alternate. drop in counter clockwise, arrange so they are evenly spaced. Then drop the notched ring on top & wiggle. use a probe to help locate. Once they are in the right place you may have to lift up the notched ring carefully & reposition so the holes line up.
Obviously keeping your fingers etc. crossed.
You will have to separate them to clean as well!

Good luck & remember what they say about patience!
 
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