Camera Lubrication

akfotog · Jan 4, 2014

Happy New Year all! and have a great New year.! I'm in the process of trying to refurbish an old Busch Pressman Model D and was wondering what specific areas should be lubricated. The rail system works but is a little tight, as are the front tilt/shift controls. I've also read to use WD40, but since it stays below freezing most of the winter here, I was thinking of using some of the Molybdenum Disulfide dry lube that I use on my hunting rifles. Also, I've read to wipe the bellows down with Pledge (although my experience with Pledge on military leather shoes was that it eventually starts to crack). Any suggestions would be appreciated, thanks in advance

E. von Hoegh · Jan 4, 2014

Eschew WD-40 unless you want the rails coated with a thick waxy deposit that will require disassembly to remove. I'd try one of the "dry lubes" for bicycle chains, your dry MoS2 lube might be good also. You don't want anything to attract dust, or anything that will thicken.

If the bellows are leather, use Lexol or Neatsfoot oil. If they're not leather, leave them alone.

lxdude · Jan 4, 2014

Do NOT use WD-40.

E. von Hoegh · Jan 4, 2014

lxdude said:
Do NOT use WD-40.

Nope. Don't use it.

BrianShaw · Jan 4, 2014

E. von Hoegh said:
Nope. Don't use it.

Correct, eschew it.

I. too, have come to like the "dry Teflon lubes" that have been on the market for a while.

lxdude · Jan 4, 2014

BrianShaw said:
eschew

Gesundheit!

akfotog · Jan 4, 2014

Thanks for the info, I'll try a bit of my Moly. I have some mink oil for the bellows (which I'll probably replace with new this Spring), hopefully that will work. Thanks again.

shutterfinger · Jan 4, 2014

Mink oil is for weatherproofing from moisture, it may do more harm than good on bellows. I have used Pledge (yellow can) on bellows both leather and naugahyde with out any adverse affects. Avoid Armorall also.

Apply TriFlow, http://www.triflowlubricants.com/Superior_Drip/superior_drip.html , to the focus pinion at the bed bushings and white lithium grease to the bed gears that mesh with the pinion helical gears. A trace amount of oil or grease is all that is needed. The dry lubricant you have will be fine for the standard movements and apply it to the rail edges where they engage with the bed guides.

If the revolving back does not turn smoothly, disassemble the mechanism, apply a trace of white lithium grease or your dry lubricant to the mechanical parts and reassemble.

sharpnikkor · Jan 13, 2014

Linhof suggests petroleum jelly (Vasoline) to lubricate the rails on the Technika series. I've used it and it works. Spread it on very very sparingly. Wipe off any excess. I've used it very lightly on the rails on my Speed Graphics and my one Busch Pressman. If using the camera in a dusty outdoor environment, wipe clean and reapply after use.

For the bellows, I use a vinyl/leather spray conditioner used on car seats. Spray on a cloth, wipe on sparingly, wipe off any excess, and let the bellows dry out a day or so before compressing again. Be careful and support the bellows with your hand underneath.

Poisson Du Jour · Jan 13, 2014

A single drop of dry teflon lube e.g. commonly used for bike chains, will work superbly, but it must be the dry version, not wet (attracts gunk too readily) or multi-purpose. The carrier evaporates leaving a super-slick lubricant. I use TF2 Plus+ for odd jobs (chiefly tripod leg locks).

mgb74 · Jan 13, 2014

Your requirements (if using the camera in an Alaska winter), might differ from the general requirements. But I think you're on the right track with a dry lubricant.

For the bellows, first thing is to determine if leather or synthetic (I would assume synthetic on the Pressman).

Camera Lubrication

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency