bakemono
Established
I have acquired a 1949 Summitar with a technical problem. It is stuck in extended position.
I can 'lock' and unlock it (it turns) but it is impossible to collapse.
The front part moves about 1mm inwards in unlocked position, but that's about it.
Any tips on how to fix the issue?
I can 'lock' and unlock it (it turns) but it is impossible to collapse.
The front part moves about 1mm inwards in unlocked position, but that's about it.
Any tips on how to fix the issue?
bakemono
Established
Ok, here's an update for anyone else with the same problem.
The culprit was the felt light seal, which was torn and bungled up, I guess from the old age.
To replace it, you need to unscrew the 3 tiny screws on the lens barrel and the whole front including the barrel then can be detached from the rear. It is held in place by the rear lens element holder / metal ring with which locks the lens. The barrel attaches by friction fit, it is very tight.
So carefully wiggle it a bit while pulling and it should pop apart. Best to do it with the lens rotated to unlocked position otherwise the metal part stays stuck and reassembly is trickier.
Once it is out you should see the felt and it can be replaced using some suitable material.
Take care not to loose the little ball bearing that helps the lens to slide in and out when collapsing. I lost mine, but luckily I had a bunch of these around for lens apertures, so I just replaced it.
When putting it back together, first align the ball bearing with the grove and slide in the whole front part so it goes through (like it was collapsed). Align the groves on the metal holder and barrel and push them back together, as I said it is a very tight fit.
Then just gently pull the front out until you can access the tiny screw holes and screw them back in (don't try to lock it first or anything). If you slide it out and rotate it for some reason, losing the alignment of the groves on both parts, it can be screwed back, but will not collapse (don't ask me how I know).
The culprit was the felt light seal, which was torn and bungled up, I guess from the old age.
To replace it, you need to unscrew the 3 tiny screws on the lens barrel and the whole front including the barrel then can be detached from the rear. It is held in place by the rear lens element holder / metal ring with which locks the lens. The barrel attaches by friction fit, it is very tight.
So carefully wiggle it a bit while pulling and it should pop apart. Best to do it with the lens rotated to unlocked position otherwise the metal part stays stuck and reassembly is trickier.
Once it is out you should see the felt and it can be replaced using some suitable material.
Take care not to loose the little ball bearing that helps the lens to slide in and out when collapsing. I lost mine, but luckily I had a bunch of these around for lens apertures, so I just replaced it.
When putting it back together, first align the ball bearing with the grove and slide in the whole front part so it goes through (like it was collapsed). Align the groves on the metal holder and barrel and push them back together, as I said it is a very tight fit.
Then just gently pull the front out until you can access the tiny screw holes and screw them back in (don't try to lock it first or anything). If you slide it out and rotate it for some reason, losing the alignment of the groves on both parts, it can be screwed back, but will not collapse (don't ask me how I know).