Noct-Nikkor 58mm f/1.2 Ai-S lubrication and teardown!

[richardHaw]

https://richardhaw.com/2016/09/25/repair-noct-nikkor-58mm-f1-2-ai-s/
this was surprisingly simple. but very nervous 

still itching to blow away the junk inside again but I just couldn't be bothered.

[Michael Erlewine]

My Noct is clean, but THANK YOU for the instructions!

[richardHaw]

My Noct is clean, but THANK YOU for the instructions!

Thanks for the compliment. Now you know what to do when the grease get bad

[Harald]

Thumbs up!

Harald

[charlie]

Hi Richard, Any plans to do a write up on the 35mm f/1.4 ais?
I recall Eric saying it is a little trickier because of CRC.
Mine squeaks when focusing depending on which way it is being held.

[richardHaw]

Thumbs up!

Harald

Thanks, Harald! Glad you liked it

[richardHaw]

Hi Richard, Any plans to do a write up on the 35mm f/1.4 ais?
I recall Eric saying it is a little trickier because of CRC.
Mine squeaks when focusing depending on which way it is being held.

Hi, Charlie!
That lens is high on my list but the budget department is holding me back

that can only be 2 things. a poorly set helicoid key, a barrel that is rubbing against something.  has the lens been dropped or serviced before?

[charlie]

I bought it used and have had it for several years now, the squeak developed over that last year or two. It is in great shape, I don't recall ever mis-handling it and I don't see any physical signs that it has been dropped or that it has been opened up and serviced. 

[richardHaw]

I bought it used and have had it for several years now, the squeak developed over that last year or two. It is in great shape, I don't recall ever mis-handling it and I don't see any physical signs that it has been dropped or that it has been opened up and serviced.

OK, i googled the lens again and it does not have that delicate front ring so a drop won't cause this. how does it sound? is it metal-to-metal? It can also be the stop down lever or aperture fork scratching the tabs inside but this is more likely if it is a long tele or a zoom but I will not rub it off since one of my 50mm got that problem

the only thing that's possible is the helicoid key. some of my lenses do that by the way, but they were bought as junks so no surprises.
if the squeek doesnt happen when it is facing up then something probably got loose.

[richardHaw]

I am not sure if this uses a brass ring to clamp down the focusing ring like the 85mm f/2 in my blog. that brass ring can sometime get out of shape/warp and it scratches the barrel

[charlie]

Yes, metal on metal. It is sort of like a vibrating squeak, not a scratchy squeak. If that makes sense.
The squeak does not seem to happen when the lens is pointed up or down.
Operating the stop down lever with my finger while adjusting focus did not changed the sound of the squeak.

[richardHaw]

then something might have gotten loose

[charlie]

Interesting, I just figured it had never been serviced and the lubricant dried up.
Would that not cause a squeak, just a stiff focus ring?

[richardHaw]

Interesting, I just figured it had never been serviced and the lubricant dried up.
Would that not cause a squeak, just a stiff focus ring?

dry helicoid will manifest as super light and dry helicoid.

caked grease will give you seized helicoid.

squeak is mechanical most of the time but who knows