El-Nikkor 50mm f2.8 question

[John Galt]

This lens does not have f stop clicks, the f ring rotates smoothly with no clicks. Other than that, the aperture opens and closes normally . . . . Is this normal? Thanks

 

[frank]

Mine clicks.

 

[Marco Buonocore]

All the Nikon enlarging lenses I've used, from the old metal barrel ones to the newer plastic ones, all have click stops.

 

[Alan W]

My Nikon enlarging lenses click-50mm and 80mm

 

[John Galt]

Interesting, I have two other Nikon enlarging lenses and they have the normal f stop clicks. I saw a mention on another forum that some of these lenses have a "switch" for clicks/no clicks . . . I saw it on the innerwebs so it must be true, right? I did some research and came up empty so I thought I would pose this question to the egg heads here on APUG . . the lens came with an Omega B-22 for $20 so I am not too concerned, just curios as to what is going on with my lens?

 

[chip j]

Yes, I have 6 Komuranon Ss and one of them doesn't have click stops. Maybe they were modified for color enlarging?

 

[MattKing]

Pull down on the aperture ring. If it moves and appears to be spring loaded, you have found the switch.

 

[jlbruyelle]

Yes, I have 6 Komuranon Ss and one of them doesn't have click stops. Maybe they were modified for color enlarging?

I have one too, but I didn't find this normal so I dismantled it (it's easy) and as expected I found that the clicks are made by a small spring-loaded steel ball running on a metal track with holes in it to make the clicks, and here's the catch: the track is not part of the body of the lens, it is a metal ring inserted in it and glued in place. With time the glue had disintegrated and the ring was rotating freely - no more clicks, it was just moving along with the aperture ring. All it took to make it work again is a droplet of epoxy glue.

I read somewhere that the Komuranons are remarkably similar to the Nikons, possibly even made by the same people. It might be a clue for those Nikkors with the same problem.

 

[bernard_L]

Possibly the small steel ball got dislodged or lost. One possible source is dismantling a ball point pen (with suitable ball size).

 

[John Galt]

Sooo . . my next question is . . any reason why I can't use it as-is?

Possibly the small steel ball got dislodged or lost. One possible source is dismantling a ball point pen (with suitable ball size).

bernard_L that is indeed the issue. I removed the rear element, it unscrews, and LO! there are little indents for a ball bearing . . . . and no ball bearing

 

[Nodda Duma]

If you can find another tiny ball bearing you could replace it. Otherwise...as long as it opens and closes the aperture it shouldn't be an issue except it'll be easier to unknowingly change f/# in use.

 

[bernard_L]

Sooo . . my next question is . . any reason why I can't use it as-is?

You would typically need to open the diaphragm for focusing, and close to working aperture for exposure. In some, but not all cases, it is desirable that the working aperture can be set reproducibly. Examples: series of frames with identical exposure; having second thoughts about a previously printed frame...

 

[Rick A]

I have a Rodenstock Rodagon that has click or not feature, I use it without, makes it easier to get 1/2 or 1/4 stops. Caveat, I use an Ilford EM-10 monitor with for repeatable setting.