Trick To Removing Retaining Ring?

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wgerrard

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I'm afraid I have another Very Newbie enlarger question:

The Omega B-22 I bought came with an El-Nikkor 50/4 lens. If I want to use another Nikkor lens, do I need to find another retaining ring? Or, can the retaining ring used to affix the 50/4 to the twist-lock mechanism be removed? I ask lest I break something: My Nikkor seems very firmly attached.
 
I might be having trouble with nomenclature. My lens sits in the center of a circular metal disk with a diameter of about 2-1/2 inches. There are notches on either side of that disk. I attach the lens by sliding those notches around two threaded screws on the lens plate and then tightening them.

On the underside of that disk is what I assume is the retaining ring, i.e., it is retaining the lens to the disk. I'm unsure if that ring is intended to be removed or, if it is, by hand or by machine. In any case, neither the ring nor the lens have responded to my efforts to turn them.
 
My guess is that the lens is screwed into the centre of the disc. But you shouldn't do anything until someone turns up who really knows what's what.
 
Here's a quick pic of the front:

3928984021_5afbdfa670.jpg


and the back:

3929765424_14766f6759.jpg


What I've assumed is the retaining ring is the very dark ring in the center.
 
Thanks and you're right...the retaining ring should unscrew in a normal counter-clockwise direction when viewing from the rear/back...
This may have been mounted for such a long time it sorta siezed onto the lens...
If you have the right tools (a small punch and hammer) you can lightly tap the indent of the retaining ring to get it to loosen...once you get movement then just hold the ring with one hand and turn the lens with the other...The trick is to just get the ring to break loose...

Before remounting the lens, clean up any nicks or burrs that the punch may have created...

I have the exact same lens...serial number 290820...I bought it about 30 years ago...
 
Last edited:
nikon_sam said:
Thanks and you're right...the retaining ring should unscrew in a normal counter-clockwise direction when viewing from the rear/back...
This may have been mounted for such a long time it sorta siezed onto the lens...
If you have the right tools (a small punch and hammer) you can lightly tap the indent of the retaining ring to get it to loosen...once you get movement then just hold the ring with one hand and turn the lens with the other...The trick is to just get the ring to break loose...

Before remounting the lens, clean up any nicks or burrs that the punch may have created...

I have the exact same lens...serial number 290820...I bought it about 30 years ago...
Click to expand...


The RIGHT tool is a spanner wrench from Microtools or someone similar. A hammer and punch will work, but only if you are happy working on precision machinery with a hammer. I can and have, but I prefer not to.

Cheers,

R.
 
Roger, you're absolutely right...and I have use these tools correctly on equipment for so long I am comfortable doing it...most people don't have a spanner wrench so I suggested tools that most people do have... maybe I shouldn't have use the words "right tools"...
 
Well, I do have a spanner wrench that's more than a bit too large for this job, a nice hammer, but no chisel. Plus, I'm a klutz. So, I'll check out Microtools.

I've no immediate need to swap out the lens, but it seems likely I'll pick up another lens sooner or later.

Thanks to all for the "What's This Bit Called?" help.
 
did u try a tiny bit of wd40 to try and loosen maybe? just use a Qtip and go around the retaining ring a few times
 
Bill,
I've got one of the lens mounts that your lens is attached to. It's yours if you want it. A 75mm lens I bought came attached to it.

--michael
 
Often, wrapping a wide rubber band around the ring and twist counter-clockwise is enough to loosen a retaining ring.

This trick also works if a filter is mounted on too tightly.
 
The retaining ring should be 39mm. You can use the ring with most other lenses. Schneider lenses also have a 39mm retaining ring.

If you can't find one locally, these turn up frequently on eBay for fairly reasonable prices.
 
Try grasping the front of the lens and twisting to the left. It should come off without too much effort. Perhaps, add a drop or two of penetrating oil (spray some into the cap and use a toothpick or nail or paperclip to get some into the threads).
 
Not sure about this Omega, but some require a special "cone" lens board, because the lens needs to be further from the negative.

You might want to investigate. Like I said, I'm not sure if you'll need a cone lens board or if a 75mm lens will work straight up.
 
I'll buy some WD-40 or similar oil tomorrow. I've turned the lens with as much strength as I can muster to no avail. It seems well and truly stuck.
 
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