NikonGear'23

Gear Talk => What the Nerds Do => Topic started by: Bruno Schroder on May 04, 2017, 15:50:55

Title: stuck focus on 35/1.4 AI
Post by: Bruno Schroder on May 04, 2017, 15:50:55
I have a 35/1.4 AI which is now almost completely stuck and almost impossible to focus. I'm tempted to clean it myself. I have not found anything relevant on internet, except a video opening it but not touching the helicoids. I also have, of course, read Richard's advices.

Has any of you already cleaned and regreased the helicoids on that lens? Any specific advice?

Many thanks.
Title: Re: stuck focus on 35/1.4 AI
Post by: richardHaw on May 04, 2017, 15:57:29
which 35/1.4 is it? (http://www.photosynthesis.co.nz/nikon/ai3514_1.jpg) this one? :o :o :o
if it is, send it to me. I will fix it for the blog...
Title: Re: stuck focus on 35/1.4 AI
Post by: Erik Lund on May 04, 2017, 15:59:05
Read Richards text on how to do it, and take care about marking etc. when removing the rear group, CRC elements,,,
Title: Re: stuck focus on 35/1.4 AI
Post by: richardHaw on May 04, 2017, 16:10:15
OMG, this has a CRC element!?  :o :o :o
Title: Re: stuck focus on 35/1.4 AI
Post by: Erik Lund on May 04, 2017, 16:25:51
OMG, this has a CRC element!?  :o :o :o
What ?
Title: Re: stuck focus on 35/1.4 AI
Post by: Bruno Schroder on May 04, 2017, 17:21:57
Yes, this one
Title: Re: stuck focus on 35/1.4 AI
Post by: David H. Hartman on May 04, 2017, 21:58:13
I cleaned a 24/2.8 AI between the aperture blades because they must have been coated excessively and they shed so much photos were foggy looking. I don't remember it being difficult. I ascribed a thin line with a sharp needle for realignment. The complete read group was the CRC. The 35/1.4 might be a milk run. :)

Dave Hartman
Title: Re: stuck focus on 35/1.4 AI
Post by: richardHaw on May 05, 2017, 02:58:01
What ?

Didn't realise that this lens has CRC, i thought the Ai-S was the only one that had it  :o :o :o
Title: Re: stuck focus on 35/1.4 AI
Post by: Roland Vink on May 05, 2017, 04:35:25
Nope, all the 35/1.4 versions have CRC (as do all 28/2 and 24/2.8 lenses).
When it was introduced in 1970 it was a very advanced lens, with a modern optical design, floating elements and fully multicoated.

You might be thinking of the 28/2.8, which gained CRC with the AIS version.
Title: Re: stuck focus on 35/1.4 AI
Post by: richardHaw on May 05, 2017, 07:14:42
Nope, all the 35/1.4 versions have CRC (as do all 28/2 and 24/2.8 lenses).
When it was introduced in 1970 it was a very advanced lens, with a modern optical design, floating elements and fully multicoated.

You might be thinking of the 28/2.8, which gained CRC with the AIS version.

No, I was thinking about the 35/1.4 :o :o :o
Title: Re: stuck focus on 35/1.4 AI
Post by: brent_e on May 05, 2017, 17:09:05
I've got the same lens and opened it up to clean some dust from between some of the rear groups.  that wasn't a big deal, but I was worried so looked for a manual.  I never purchased one, but recently got a note from ebay about a manual still being up for sale.  might be worth it.
just checked...still there.  search for "Nikon Nikkor 35mm F1.4 Ai Lens Service & Repair Manual"

Brent
Title: Re: stuck focus on 35/1.4 AI
Post by: Bruno Schroder on May 23, 2017, 23:29:00
I initially though I would take Richard's offer but I haven't (yet) found the way to ship the lens to Japan without having customs duties applied both way. If I can't find a way, I'll try it myself, I guess.

Brent, I purchased the manual. Thanks for the info.

Thank you all for the information.

Title: Re: stuck focus on 35/1.4 AI
Post by: richardHaw on May 24, 2017, 03:51:32
I want to see the manual!  :o :o :o
Title: Re: stuck focus on 35/1.4 AI
Post by: brent_e on June 22, 2017, 18:55:28
I've opened mine but not got to the helicoids. I just had to clean some dust from around the aperture blades.
it took some effort to drip enough acetone in the tiny hole to loosen up the front ring (drip it in over a few hours every 20 minutes).  If I remember correctly you access the drip hole after you slide the grip off. It was pretty straightforward getting things apart and I'm sure Richard has done a similar lens that you can use as a guide (Thanks for all those, Richard!).  I'm not an expert or anything, but if you don't have to take the CRC elements apart to clean them, don't! 

take photos!!!

Brent 




**** didn't realize I posted the same above....sorry for the duplicate!  bad memory! 
 
Title: Re: stuck focus on 35/1.4 AI
Post by: richardHaw on June 23, 2017, 03:31:15
I've opened mine but not got to the helicoids. I just had to clean some dust from around the aperture blades.
it took some effort to drip enough acetone in the tiny hole to loosen up the front ring (drip it in over a few hours every 20 minutes).  If I remember correctly you access the drip hole after you slide the grip off. It was pretty straightforward getting things apart and I'm sure Richard has done a similar lens that you can use as a guide (Thanks for all those, Richard!).  I'm not an expert or anything, but if you don't have to take the CRC elements apart to clean them, don't! 

take photos!!!

Brent

Thanks, Brent!

The CRC can confuse people who aren't used to things like this. getting the orientation wrong can lead to a wrong result. I spent many many hours on my CRC 105/2.8 Ai-S because I took my notes with the lens in the wrong orientation!  :o :o :o
Title: Re: stuck focus on 35/1.4 AI
Post by: Nikodemus on January 20, 2019, 12:49:40
Dear contributors to this page,

so I have the same problem as Bruno when this thread started: The focus of my Nikkor 35mm / 1,4 is not moving smoothly and and I would love get it repaired. Or do the repair myself.

Now I carefully read through the comments here and also searched the web to find out how to take this exact lens apart, in order to clean and grease the focus, but I am still left rather dazzled. Also the CRC part sounds intimidating to take apart.

My question to Bruno or anybody: Have you actually got to the helicoids of this lens and successfully repaired the focus?

with many thanks in advance!
-Niki

Title: Re: stuck focus on 35/1.4 AI
Post by: Birna Rørslett on January 20, 2019, 13:22:54
Our Dr. Lens (aka NG member Erik Lund) or the Eastern Panda (Richard Hawes) would know how to do this.
Title: Re: stuck focus on 35/1.4 AI
Post by: Jack Dahlgren on January 20, 2019, 19:28:35
Based on the information given in Richard’s articles I’ve successfully disassembled and reassembled a couple of lenses. If you read all the articles and take the lessons learned (always use correct screwdrivers, document steps, handle and store lens elements safely, don’t disassemble things you don’t need to disassemble...) then is it quite possible to tackle degreasing a lens.

Every article of his mentions marking the points where helicoids separate. This is very true! Also helpful to use infinity focus as a reference point. Keep a camera nearby to photograph step by step. I don’t use a camera, but there were a couple of times where it would have been a helpful reminder or confirmation of what to do next.

I think I have more experience in taking things apart than most people, so if you aren’t mechanically handy I recommend finding a junk lens to practice on.
Title: Re: stuck focus on 35/1.4 AI
Post by: Birna Rørslett on January 20, 2019, 20:43:01
Sometimes finding a local camera repair shop turns to be the easiest solution to dealing with a malfunctioning lens. However, learning how to fix minor issues on one's own is rarely wasted.
Title: Re: stuck focus on 35/1.4 AI
Post by: Nikodemus on January 21, 2019, 10:04:11
Ok thank you for your feedback.

I just called Nikon Service Point Austria- who don't even want to take the lens in. They say they don't have parts for it and the risk of damaging the lens is too big,,

Then I called Nikon repair Dostal & Rudolf GmbH in Munich. Who say there is a good chance of successfully repairing the rough-running focus. And for a reasonable price, so that's where the lens is headed now.

Fingers crossed they can fix it, thanks again for the support!