Canon R2000 / lenses - reliability feedback requested

[Deleted member 88956]

Just picked up Canon R2000 from my collection. Have never used for shooting as it had an issue and still does. Camera feels great, very smooth mirror action, sound of shutter sweet. Shutter works on all speeds, up to 1/2000 too. No issue with camera itself.

Now I have only one lens from that line up, Super-Canomatic R 50/1.8 and aperture is stuck fully closed. I believe this was the biggest issue with these lenses to the point of not even trying to fix it as it will likely break again.

The question is: is this lens worth fixing? What usually causes aperture linkage mechanism to quit working?

Any user feedback of R2000 also welcomed. I do like the body and how it handles. It is similar in feel to EF or earlier F1. So it is all roses to me, except the lenses from R range.

 

[flavio81]

Obvious question but... Have you made sure you are following the instructions? That is, cock the lens diaphragm by moving the lever on the lens mount; make sure the "stop down preview" aperture ring is set to max aperture (f1.8)...

As for your question, yes, these mechanisms are troublesome, probably it just needs a good dismantling, cleaning, and lubrication.

 

[Sirius Glass]

When I buy a used camera or lens, I always assume that it will need a CLA even if it is from a camera store or KEH. Fortunately I have only had a few problems needing work on recently purchased lenses, and the one time there was a problem KEH took care of the CLA even though it clearly cost more that I paid for that lens. I suggest that on receiving a new piece of equipment that the back of the camera be opened and while looking through the lens dry fire the camera at each shutter speed and through the f/stops to get a feel for the condition of the camera. For the most part the days that we could do that before buying have left us so we must do the best we can by planning for the CLA, negotiating during the sale on the handling of a CLA should it become necessary, ...

 

[Deleted member 88956]

Obvious question but... Have you made sure you are following the instructions? That is, cock the lens diaphragm by moving the lever on the lens mount; make sure the "stop down preview" aperture ring is set to max aperture (f1.8)...

As for your question, yes, these mechanisms are troublesome, probably it just needs a good dismantling, cleaning, and lubrication.

I will need to check procedure again just to be sure. I bought this several years ago and never spent time on it but as I recall, at least seller was under impression there was a problem with lens’ diaphragm. Camera is in near new condition and price was “right”. This is also relatively rare one with 2 year production run and reportedly fewer than 9000 made. That 1/2000 horizontal shutter works so sweetly too. I also need to look for the waist level viewer to have full set and likely won’t be easy to find.

 

[Mackinaw]

......Now I have only one lens from that line up, Super-Canomatic R 50/1.8 and aperture is stuck fully closed. I believe this was the biggest issue with these lenses to the point of not even trying to fix it as it will likely break again.

The question is: is this lens worth fixing? What usually causes aperture linkage mechanism to quit working?......

The achilles heal of the Canonflex series of cameras are the poorly engineered lenses. Sticky apertures are common. Blame it on old grease and dirt. They are easy to take apart and clean. I took apart, cleaned and re-lubed two R 50/1.8 lenses last year. Disassembly really isn't that difficult, but that's assuming you know your way around old cameras and lenses. If not, consider sending your lens to a qualified repair tech.

Jim B.

 

[Deleted member 88956]

As I started looking around web, came across this rather detailed write up on Canonflex. There is a few yet great PDFs for download, including a book on Canon SLRs 1959-1991 by Peter Dechert. For those interested, this is a great place to check out.

 

[Deleted member 88956]

The achilles heal of the Canonflex series of cameras are the poorly engineered lenses. Sticky apertures are common. Blame it on old grease and dirt. They are easy to take apart and clean. I took apart, cleaned and re-lubed two R 50/1.8 lenses last year. Disassembly really isn't that difficult, but that's assuming you know your way around old cameras and lenses. If not, consider sending your lens to a qualified repair tech.

Jim B.

Thanks. I'll look into taking it apart after i make sure I am not missing out on how the lens is to be operated. But playing with camera itself, I don't know how I shelved it without looking deeper after purchase. Body itself is just great build and sweet to operate. Given cosmetic condition of this body / lens combo, it never got used much. Will probably look into R lenses, just to have some options.

 

[AgX]

The achilles heal of the Canonflex series of cameras are the poorly engineered lenses. Sticky apertures are common. Blame it on old grease and dirt.

Do you really expect a SLR made with a longevity of 60 years in mind?

 

[gone]

Have you tried it on the camera? Not sure about your particular lens, but the FD lens apertures won't work right until they're mounted and the shutter actuates things (although your type of lens seems more prone to getting really stuck).

 

[Deleted member 88956]

Do you really expect a SLR made with a longevity of 60 years in mind?

Have you tried it on the camera? Not sure about your particular lens, but the FD lenses will stay closed until they're mounted and the shutter actuates things.

Yes, it's on camera. It's early here now, so I need to check procedures. R lenses differed form later FL/FD in that they had two aperture rings, working completely independently, one presets auto aperture setting, the other adjusts aperture for actual viewing. It's an odd ball in that sense, and as some say it makes no sense in how it was designed. Yesterday I did not see ANY change in aperture when moving either of the rings, yet technically I should see a change when viewing ring is moved. Camera works fine, but there may be more to it.

 

[flavio81]

Do you really expect a SLR made with a longevity of 60 years in mind?

You use too many words to write "Nikon F"

 

[AgX]

To be serious, there is a difference between a camera holding on 60 years and it being designed for doing so. You will not tell me that a Nikon engineer got by his superiors ordered to design a camera to do so.

 

[Deleted member 88956]

Just for those who have too much, I'm on a lookout for some R lenses. The camera is really in a too nice of a shape and feeling great for not to use it, at least on occasions. Being quite rare, adds to its allure.

Lens I have will undergo a repair attempt at some point. It looks like aperture controlling rings are not connected to internal mechanism as there is zero resistance when moving either of the rings. So it is stuck at minimum aperture no matter what.

 

[Deleted member 88956]

To be serious, there is a difference between a camera holding on 60 years and it being designed for doing so. You will not tell me that a Nikon engineer got by his superiors ordered to design a camera to do so.

I have to agree, it is one thing to see one lasting a long time, another to think of it as doing so by premeditated design. Of course Nikon F was meant to be robust and build to sustain pro abuse. But I doubt anyone involved was thinking beyond 15-20 years of use, if that.

 

[gone]

I had a Canon R 100 2 lens once on an F1. One of the sharpest lenses I've used, too sharp for portraits, but great for everything else. The build quality was very good, and there were no issues w/ anything on that lens. Wish I still had it.

 

[Mackinaw]

I had a Canon R 100 2 lens once on an F1. One of the sharpest lenses I've used, too sharp for portraits, but great for everything else. The build quality was very good, and there were no issues w/ anything on that lens. Wish I still had it.

The R100/2.0 is a remount of the 100/2.0 Canon rangefinder lens. It is excellent. I have one, and it's a superb portrait lens. My aperture blades are getting sticky, so I ned to take apart and clean. But they're easy to take apart. A good indoor project for a winter's day.

Jim B.