Nikkor-P 180mm f/2.8 - focus ring problem

[MFloyd]

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About every six months, I do an inspection of my (unused) old gear.

It is not new that the focus ring was difficult to manipulate. But it has now increased to an extent that it can only be turned with considerable effort. The lens is cosmetically pristine.

Can somebody help me ? Thanks 

[ianwatson]

I suspect that the grease in the focusing helicoid has given up the ghost. A good service should do the trick.

[MFloyd]

I suspect that the grease in the focusing helicoid has given up the ghost. A good service should do the trick.

Thanks. I will have a chat with Nikon Switzerland whether they are willing to do the job. No question that I do this by myself.

[Birna Rørslett]

Any competent repair shop should be able to fix this for you. A cleaning and relubricating job should make the lens as new again.

Lenses like best being used, not stood on a shelf on in a cupboard.

[MFloyd]

Any competent repair shop should be able to fix this for you. A cleaning and relubricating job should make the lens as new again.

Lenses like best being used, not stood on a shelf on in a cupboard.

Thank you Birna. I know; it’s a lens I bought in 1973; it costed a fortune (about one month of salary, I remember); it’s more memories attached to it; but I want to keep it in working state.

As they say in Dutch: “Rust roest” (rest rusts) 

[Birna Rørslett]

Some of my Nikkors are from the early '50s and still are entirely functional. Letting them see some use now and then, and keep the humidity at bay, and most will literally last you a lifetime.

I never opted for the 180P in that early version, but went with the 180ED AiS (manual, excellent) and for a short time, the AF 180 ED (awful AF, imprecise manual focusing but very good image quality). I still use the 180ED, but perhaps not as often as it deserves.

[Nasos Kosmas]

I’ve got an Nikkor Q 200/4 very old with very soft focusing ring
At the same time a friends 200/4 Al  has the same issue as your Nikkor P,  it’s not the usage of the lens it’s the type of the lubricant that degrades over time
I already opened  this lens for re lubricate it but I didn’t finished yet

[Akira]

I've had the lens during the film days and liked its rounded rendition.  The Ai AF siblings i tested was sharp but suffered from excessive LoCA when the background is contrasty.

The stiffness of the focusing ring doesn't seem to be a serious problem.  Hope it will be back to work soon. 

[MFloyd]

Thank you Nasos and Akira 

[richardHaw]

https://richardhaw.com/2017/05/21/repair-nikkor-p-c-180mm-f2-8-auto/

 

[MFloyd]

https://richardhaw.com/2017/05/21/repair-nikkor-p-c-180mm-f2-8-auto/

 

Waw ! Very impressive. Your write up definitely convinced me to have the job done by a professional 

[MFloyd]

Follow up: Begin January 2023, I finally decided to send the lens to Nikon Switzerland for having it serviced. On a follow up call, Nikon decided to return it unserviced; rationale: risk for breaking a part while dismantling the lens; and no spare parts available. I ended up to convince the senior technician to have it serviced, taking on me the risk of breakage. Received a letter today that they will attempt the service. Feedback expected next week.

[John Geerts]

Good luck with your 180mm.  I hope the repair will be a success !

[Akira]

I have a good memory of using this lens.  Wish yours to be back to life!

[golunvolo]

https://richardhaw.com/2017/05/21/repair-nikkor-p-c-180mm-f2-8-auto/

 

  Richard, this is exceptional. Thanks for sharing it