My first lens dissembly, tips?

[richardHaw]

the tape there is just to hold that thing together 

[Erik Lund]

For a job like this you need screwdrivers in all sizes! I think I have at least 20 different just for lenses,,,
I would not recommend you to start off with making your own screwdrivers unless you know what your doing,,, there is a lot to lean about screwdrivers as well,,, If made wrong they will ruin the screws,,,

Looks like your not giving up - That's admirable!

Please do not start to take out the lens elements!

[Tristin]

Erik, I have no intentions or want to do anymore than is needed.   Cleaning the helicoids.  If i ever need to remove elements to make a repair, I will do so, but will far more preparation than I did this time!

[Tristin]

I feel I am completely stuck now.    In trying to assemble the focus ring sectin to the section behind it, I can not get it to seat far enough down.  I found 4 positions the helicoids will join, including the one Daito successfully joins it at, but all of them get stuck at the same depth.  I measured it to check.  I cleaned the helicoids again thoroughly to make sure there was no obstruction, but it made no difference.  After a couple hours of attempting, I don't know how I could possibly have missed the correct position.  Anyone know what could be causing this?

I am stuck at the section Daito works on in his video at 40:30

[richardHaw]

make sure that the innermost helicoid is not obstructing 

[Tristin]

It was the small screw next to "Made in Japan" being screwed in too far.  Got that end of the lens together finally, then found out I need to insert the inner helicoid that joins the focus ring to the front half of the lens into the focus ring before the front can go on.  So took it back apart, and am now trying to get the inner helicoid to co-operate with the focus ring and those brass posts.  Slowly, but surely.

[Tristin]

Well, finally got it together and working.  F/22 is no longer any tougher to turn to and the focus ring grit is gone.  Now, however, there is more resistance when focusing between 4.5-8 ft.  Ha!  I am pretty sure it has to do with the alignment of those brass posts and the focus ring being just a hair off.  I will tackle it another day, just happy it is working again without sand in it.  Will test infinity focus tomorrow when there is light.

[Gary]

YES!  Now I am confident to send you my Zeiss 12mm, the front assembly is loose.   

[richardHaw]

Well, finally got it together and working.  F/22 is no longer any tougher to turn to and the focus ring grit is gone.  Now, however, there is more resistance when focusing between 4.5-8 ft.  Ha!  I am pretty sure it has to do with the alignment of those brass posts and the focus ring being just a hair off.  I will tackle it another day, just happy it is working again without sand in it.  Will test infinity focus tomorrow when there is light.

that is normal when you first greased it.v
after applying fresh grease, i usually break it in by turning each helicoid pair a couple of times with my hand until the grease was completely spread evenly. another is the brass posts (helicoid keys) need to be grease as well.

[Tristin]

YES!  Now I am confident to send you my Zeiss 12mm, the front assembly is loose.   

I charge $120/hr, I hope you understand that experience and knowledge are worth paying for.   

Richard, it does seem better after a night of toying with it.  Was a pretty frustrating experience, but I now feel confident about being able to maintain my lenses.

[Erik Lund]

Happy to hear you got it together again!

[Tristin]

Thanks Eric.  There were some times when I felt like throwing the lens through a wall, but I remembered Jan's advice and grabbed a beer. 

Now that I feel comfortable dissembling/assembling Ai lenses, I am thinking of sticking to manual lenses for practicality of maintenance and repairs.  Are modern lenses any different when it comes to doing routine maintenance?  I love manual lenses and do not envy handling modern lenses, but there are a couple tempters like the 20mm 1.8g who have no manual competitors.

Couple thing worth sharing i nearly forgot to add!

I used Tri-Flow for lube and it feels great.  Saw a guy who does lens teardowns/repairs on youtube as Mikeno62 recommend it and says it is very stable.

I ordered a 1.2mm and a 1.5mm slot srewdriver and found the 1.2mm a good size for tackling those micro screws that holds the front barrel in place.  1.5mm was a bit big.  I was determined to get my lens working yesterday, despite not receiving those screwdrivers yet, so I resorted to snapping the very tip of an Xacto blade off with pliers and made my own micro slot screwdriver, which worked.  After using it successfully, I step outside for some air and guess what package arrives? Ha! 

[Erik Lund]

I would suggest not to take AF lenses apart as 'routine maintenance' they are only to be opened if there is something wrong, repair. Also they need to be calibrated if opened,,,

Tri-Flow is only for the extremely fine threads of Leica lenses I belive... Yes Mikeno62 is our local repair guru here in Copenhagen, super nice guy.

[richardHaw]

I only open AF-D lenses to clean the elements 

i hate them

[Tristin]

Then no AF for me.