Deitz Premium 28-80mm lubrication

Xylo · Apr 3, 2024

Hi!
I'm about to embark on the re-lubrication of a Deitz Premium 28-80mm f/3.8-4.8 (MD mount model with push-pull action) and I would like to know if anybody here has ever done so?
The grease in mine has turned to molasses and I want to know a bit what I'm getting myself into before taking the plunge.

Thanks

Xylo · Apr 4, 2024

I did a bit of digging. There isn't much information on this, so I think putting it here might help.
It looks like the lenses were made by Makina Optical in Japan. So I figure they are probably built in a similar fashion.
Anybody ever took apart a similar Makinon, Makina, Hanimex or Vivitar zoom lens? (They did make lenses for all those manufacturers and more)

Here are pictures of the lens in question.

albada · Apr 4, 2024

Few people, if anyone, know how to repair off-brand lenses such as this one, so you're probably on your own.
I suggest first removing the rubber grip around the focus/zoom ring. That will probably reveal some slots or holes through which you might have access to some threads that can be oiled.

Xylo · Apr 5, 2024

I must admit that I was taking a chance. Thing is, I got this lens for super cheap and I feel it's a good candidate for learning how to repair zoom lenses.

I took off the rubber grip and there are holes and screws hidden under it. I was lucky in that the grip wasn't glued into place and was still quite flexible.

Thanks!

Andreas Thaler · Apr 5, 2024

Cleaning and greasing the helicoids of a lens can sometimes be done while the lens is still assembled, i.e. the helicoids are not separated. This avoids any problems with adjustment.

Pour lighter fluid into the helicoids, move them, let the oil/lighter fluid emulsion run out and repeat this several times. Then pour grease into the helicoids.

It depends on the lens whether this is possible; the helicoids must be sufficiently accessible and the optics should not become dirty in the process.

Nikkor 50/1.8 Ai: Service

Convinced that helicoids do not always have to be separated for cleaning and re-greasing, I got to work. A Nikkor 50/1.8 Ai turned quite dry when focusing. Some dust had also accumulated on the inner lenses over the years. I wanted to remedy all of this. Glow of dust in the LED light...

www.photrio.com

Here is one of my projects where I did this.

+++

All information provided without guarantee and use at your own risk

Xylo · Apr 5, 2024

It's a good idea to try and avoid taking the helicoids apart.
I did that on the same Nikkor 50/1.8 as you and it took me the better part of an hour to get them re-aligned properly... and that lens is relatively simple when compared to a zoom.

Lets just say I don't want to have to swear profusely at the darn thing

I've got it on my desk and I'm trying to make myself a mental plan before digging into it.

Andreas Thaler · Apr 5, 2024

Xylo said:
It's a good idea to try and avoid taking the helicoids apart.
I did that on the same Nikkor 50/1.8 as you and it took me the better part of an hour to get them re-aligned properly... and that lens is relatively simple when compared to a zoom.

Lets just say I don't want to have to swear profusely at the darn thing

I've got it on my desk and I'm trying to make myself a mental plan before digging into it.

Good luck!

Xylo · Apr 5, 2024

Thanks!

retina_restoration · Apr 5, 2024

If you're going to disassemble a focus helical, best to mark their relative positions with scratches in the metal, to avoid having to spend hours figuring out how to align them later.

Xylo · Apr 5, 2024

Good tip. The only thing is that when they finally let loose, it's sometimes hard to figure out which one came out...

Andreas Thaler · Apr 5, 2024

Xylo said:
Anybody ever took apart a similar Makinon, Makina, Hanimex or Vivitar zoom lens? (They did make lenses for all those manufacturers and more)

Maybe helpful:

Soligor C/D 28-80 mm f3.8-4.8 (OM): Overhaul

A Soligor zoom came to me with an Olympus OM mount in clearly used - but not abused - condition: Here the rubber coating of the focus ring has been removed in order to explore the screw connection. The bayonet screws don't get stuck and can be loosened - a good start. The zoom is dirty...

www.photrio.com

Andreas Thaler · Apr 5, 2024

Andreas Thaler said:
Maybe helpful:

Soligor C/D 28-80 mm f3.8-4.8 (OM): Overhaul

A Soligor zoom came to me with an Olympus OM mount in clearly used - but not abused - condition: Here the rubber coating of the focus ring has been removed in order to explore the screw connection. The bayonet screws don't get stuck and can be loosened - a good start. The zoom is dirty...

www.photrio.com

Looks very similar to yours.

Xylo · Apr 5, 2024

That looks an awful lot like the same lens!
Same markings, same build structure... I think you found a clone!

Thanks!

BTW, what's the lens like in use?

Andreas Thaler · Apr 5, 2024

Xylo said:
That looks an awful lot like the same lens!
Same markings, same build structure... I think you found a clone!

Thanks!

BTW, what's the lens like in use?

Great!

I didn't try it, it was a practice project but there is a positive review about it:

Soligor C/D 28-80mm f3.5-4.5

This is a good lens. My copy was most likely made by Sun Optical. It's built very well. Focusing and zooming are smooth. My copy has a little zoom creep. The C/D line was Soligor's best. At 28mm it is sharp from f4. Corner sharpness is average. At 28mm f5.6 it is sharp with better corner...

www.robertallenkautzphoto.com

Andreas Thaler · Apr 5, 2024

Information regarding Soligor lenses:

SOLIGOR Lens Compendium

Overview and comparison of legacy lenses from Soligor. Learn about the core specifications of these third party optics here!

www.apotelyt.com

Xylo · Apr 5, 2024

Funny because it's a practice project for me too.
And heck, a Japanese lens with a German sounding name that was make by who know who can't possibly be bad

But jokes aside, I once had a Soligor teleconverter and it was quite OK.

Andreas Thaler · Apr 5, 2024

Xylo said:
Funny because it's a practice project for me too.
And heck, a Japanese lens with a German sounding name that was make by who know who can't possibly be bad

But jokes aside, I once had a Soligor teleconverter and it was quite OK.

It's nice to have company on the strange paths you take

Andreas Thaler · Apr 5, 2024

I have done a few repair projects with lenses and presented them here to see how far I can look after my inventory myself.

It went quite well, but I wouldn't open a valuable lens myself.

Andreas Thaler · Apr 5, 2024

Please keep us updated on how you get on! I'm very interested.

Xylo · Apr 5, 2024

Andreas Thaler said:
It went quite well, but I wouldn't open a valuable lens myself.

Pretty much the same here. I did have a few successes, but also had a few fails that produced nice paperweights.
Same with cameras. My best experience has been with Minolta stuff. Worst has been with a Chinon and a Praktica. I also broke a Kiev 6c... that one I'm not proud of.

I'll keep you posted as soon as I gather the courage to do it

Andreas Thaler · Apr 5, 2024

Xylo said:
Pretty much the same here. I did have a few successes, but also had a few fails that produced nice paperweights.
Same with cameras. My best experience has been with Minolta stuff. Worst has been with a Chinon and a Praktica. I also broke a Kiev 6c... that one I'm not proud of.

I'll keep you posted as soon as I gather the courage to do it

Every device that falls lives on as a spare parts warehouse

Xylo · Apr 6, 2024

Andreas Thaler said:
Please keep us updated on how you get on! I'm very interested.

I spent last evening studying your walkthrough and playing with the lens to figure out what's actually wrong.
Since it does focus OK but the zoom action is stiff, I'm thinking there is a good chance that some of the plastic bearings are shot.
So I'm wondering if you managed to find some replacements?
I'm also wondering if there is any chance of accessing them without taking everything apart?

I was thinking of trying to find some tiny nylon washers on Aliexpress as a replacement... don't know if that's a good idea...

Andreas Thaler · Apr 6, 2024

Xylo said:
I spent last evening studying your walkthrough and playing with the lens to figure out what's actually wrong.
Since it does focus OK but the zoom action is stiff, I'm thinking there is a good chance that some of the plastic bearings are shot.
So I'm wondering if you managed to find some replacements?
I'm also wondering if there is any chance of accessing them without taking everything apart?

I was thinking of trying to find some tiny nylon washers on Aliexpress as a replacement... don't know if that's a good idea...

You can see the plain bearings in their open guides if you expose them, e.g. by removing a tube above them. They should be fixed with a screw, so you can remove them.

I was lucky once and plain bearings that I had removed from a third lens and kept as spare parts fit on another zoom.

If there is something from China, I would buy it, you can't go wrong.

Andreas Thaler · Apr 6, 2024

The plain bearings for the zoom mechanism in the Soligor lens.

Xylo · Apr 6, 2024

I'm going to see if I can't find something.
For the price these things sell for, I'm probably going to get various sizes and see what fits.

Deitz Premium 28-80mm lubrication

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