First Lens Repair, Nikon 35mm f:2 AF-D Going to Need Some Help

[Robert Ley]

I have a 35mm Nikon lens that has oil on the aperture blades. I have watched a YouTube video on the procedure, evidently it is a common problem with this lens. I have acquired the tools I think that I will need but could use your opinion if I need any other tools for this repair. Here is a Picture of my tools:



I have already hit a snag. The first step is to remove the beauty ring on the front of the lens. I have the proper size rubber tool, but it will not budge. I have put double sided cloth tape on the ring, but it will not budge. Anyone have any idea as to how to remove that ring?
Any help that you can give this novice repairman would be great.
Robert

 

[Andreas Thaler]

Robert, it's great that you're getting into repairs!

As far as I can see, you're very well equipped. Even the Vessel JIS bits are on your table. Which holder do you use them with?

For lenses, I would prefer JIS screwdrivers with a larger handle, as this gives you more torque, especially with the bayonet screws, which can be very tight.

On the AF-D 35/2, the engraving ring at the front could just be clipped in and not screwed in. This should be stated in the service manual.

Maybe our professional Nikkor repairer @forest bagger can give some advice here?

 

[Andreas Thaler]

Regarding screwdrivers see

Photo equipment: Basics for getting started with DIY repairs

As others I enjoy to report on my repair efforts here, but maybe someone would like to get into the topic? The desire is there, but there is still a lack of information on how best to start, what tools are needed and how much it might cost? That can be easily clarified. But it is even more...

www.photrio.com

 

[Andreas Thaler]

If you want to completely clean the lens of oil, a complete disassembly is the right way but also the most difficult.

It might also be sufficient to just clean the aperture blades from time to time; for this, it should be sufficient to open the lens from the back.

This is less risky than completely disassembling it.

You can sometimes clean a lens by partially disassembling it, by leaving the helicoids mounted, rinsing them as well as the aperture register with lighter fluid and then applying grease. This is not as thorough, but saves you having to disassemble the lens in depth.

In this case the optics have to be removed to avoid getting them dirty, but this is often easier than separating and reassembling the helicoids.

You have to decide on a case-by-case basis.

When fully disassembling, you have to worry about adjusting the infinity setting, which is often tricky.

Disassembling and reassembling the aperture register can also be a test of patience, and adjustment could also be necessary.

This is general advice; some lenses are easier to clean, some more difficult.

If your lens is for practice, this would be ideal for getting started and gaining some initial experience.

 

[Robert Ley]

Andreas, thanks so much for chiming in as I greatly respect your opinion and I have been following your repair threads on the forum. I found a Youtube video on repairing my lens and the presenter goes in from the front of the lens. He shows the beauty ring screwing out of the lens and I have not been able to budge that ring.
I have a few questions on repairs:
Where can I get repair manuals for my Nikon repair projects?
What do you use to clean optics inside the lens.
General repair techniques, either a book or videos?

I have a parts FE2 on the way that I will be using to get my FE2 working and I plan on using this FE2 to learn more about camera repair.
A couple of years ago I disassembled a 55mm f:2.8 micro nikkor due to problems with the aperture blades that I will attempt to put back together, so I have a few projects in the works.

I am also planning on fixing my new to me F4 viewfinder diopter adjustment and will use your excellent thread on the F4 finder to do that.

 

[Andreas Thaler]

I found a Youtube video on repairing my lens and the presenter goes in from the front of the lens. He shows the beauty ring screwing out of the lens and I have not been able to budge that ring.

These rings are often stubborn, but can often be loosened with a bit of WD-40.

To do this, I dab a little bit of it on the thread in several places using a cleaning swab. The oil finds its way through and if you have patience and wait at least two hours, you can use the spanner wrench.

Once the ring is off, I clean the thread with isopropyl alcohol and the ring can then be screwed in easily using the remaining WD-40.

It is important to pay attention to the angle so that the ring does not get stuck in the thread. To do this, I loosely turn the ring anti-clockwise on the thread until it clicks into place with a slight tug. Then screw it in clockwise. It is best to use a plastic or wooden swab on the grooves and only use the spanner wrench last.

It is safer to work with it if you press the spanner wrench firmly into the two grooves on the ring and just turn the lens.

If you slip and scratch the paint, it's not a big deal, you can repair it with black paint.

The spanner wrench is the tool that requires the most attention and control, as a lot of force is applied to two small spots.

Where can I get repair manuals for my Nikon repair projects?

The best way is to do a Google search. A lot of it is available for a fee on learncamerarepair.com or for free on the web.

I also have a well-filled archive if you are looking for something specific.

What do you use to clean optics inside the lens.

Zeiss lens cleaning fluid on a soft cloth (available as a set) that I cut to size depending on the size of the lens. Then I wipe the lens with a very small amount of distilled water on the cloth. There are always streaks, even with isopropyl alcohol.

Beforehand, I test with the pointed probe or a needle right at the edge whether the lens is hard or soft (I had this once). If it is hard, it can withstand cleaning.

General repair techniques, either a book or videos?

See

Technical literature for camera repairs

The number of English-language specialist publications on newer (SLR) cameras repair is manageable. I think I have compiled the most important titles here: The Camera Craftsman, SPT Journal and SPT Service Notes were published periodically. Editions of repair/service manuals, C & C...

www.photrio.com

I have a parts FE2 on the way that I will be using to get my FE2 working and I plan on using this FE2 to learn more about camera repair.

Excellent!

A couple of years ago I disassembled a 55mm f:2.8 micro nikkor due to problems with the aperture blades that I will attempt to put back together, so I have a few projects in the works.

This lens is notorious for its rich oil reserves!

I am also planning on fixing my new to me F4 viewfinder diopter adjustment and will use your excellent thread on the F4 finder to do that.

I'm glad, thank you!

Good luck!

 

[BobUK]

Last week I had the same problem removing the name ring from an El-Nikkor enlarging lens.
Over two days I tried giving it a twist every now and then, but the ring would not budge.
On the third day I gave the ring a bit of pressure in the direction of tightening, then in the unscrewing direction.
It unscrewed easily!
Over the years this has worked on quite a few screws, watch screws as well as motor car nuts and bolts.
I'm reluctant to use my the lens spanner similar to yours. I have my heart in my mouth when using it, in case of slips.
Also, the tips are way too big to fit the ring spanner slots in my case.

So, try a tightening twist followed by undoing twist.

Good Luck with the lens.

 

[Robert Ley]

Thanks all for the information. Unfortunately the ring on the 35 doesn't have a groove for the spanner so I will have to use the rubber lens opening tool. I will try the penetrating oil first before I apply the hammer to this lens

 

[Andreas Thaler]

Thanks all for the information. Unfortunately the ring on the 35 doesn't have a groove for the spanner so I will have to use the rubber lens opening tool. I will try the penetrating oil first before I apply the hammer to this lens

If you are brave, drill two holes in the ring so that the spanner wrench can grip …

But if it is very tight, the plastic will probably give way beforehand.

 

[OAPOli]

I'm surprised that the double sided tape trick didn't work.

Instead of penetrating oil, you can try to seep a light solvent (IPA or naphta) with a cotton swab, or acetone if there is no plastic around.

The "vacuum pads" from Japan Hobby Tools have a much superior grip to those gray rubber plugs btw.

 

[Robert Ley]

I'm still having problems removing the plastic ring in the front of the lens. Andreas, I tried some penetrating oil and let it sit over night, no luck.

OAPOLi, I even tried both IPA, Naptha, and lighter fluid and picked up the Japan Hobby black rubber cups, still no joy.

I thought I might have to do this job from the lens mount so watched a video and it turns out that I still have to remove that blasted ring in order to get to the aperture ring.

BobUK, I tried your technique of turning anti-clockwise and then clockwise, no luck.

I am wide open to any suggestions on how to get this bastard loose. I am thinking some heat, I have both a good hairdryer as well as a very hot heat gun that I would be very reluctant to use.

Short of a ball peen hammer, what do I do?

 

[Andreas Thaler]

From the service manual, the ring is screwed in.

You could drill two holes for the lens spanner and try to unscrew it. The last possible measure that comes to mind. You can close the holes with Sugru.

 

[Andreas Thaler]

and picked up the Japan Hobby black rubber cups, still no joy.

If you put two on top of each other, you have more torque.

 

[Robert Ley]

Thanks for the tip on the rubber cups. What about heat? Also if I decide to completely dismantle the lens and clean and re-grease the helical, what grease should I use.

 

[Robert Ley]

Andreas, Success!!! I cleaned the ring with some IPA and Naptha as there was some penetrating oil on the ring. I put some double sided tape on the ring and doubled up on the rubber ring and it finally loosened up. Now I have to decide whether to clean the old grease and re-grease the lens or just clean the aperture of the oil on the blades.
Thanks so much for your freely given help I greatly appreciate it.
Thank god that I didn't have to drill that ring, that would have tightened my sphincter considerably

 

[Andreas Thaler]

Andreas, Success!!! I cleaned the ring with some IPA and Naptha as there was some penetrating oil on the ring. I put some double sided tape on the ring and doubled up on the rubber ring and it finally loosened up. Now I have to decide whether to clean the old grease and re-grease the lens or just clean the aperture of the oil on the blades.
Thanks so much for your freely given help I greatly appreciate it.

GREAT, congratulations!!

 

[Robert Ley]

Okay, I got the lens apart from the front as I decided not to do a complete CLA and re-lube. Everything came out well and I soaked the aperture blades and the ring that holds the aperture blades in alcohol. Made sure to lay out all the parts and screws on my nice new blue mat. After many frustrating tries of getting the aperture blades back in Grrr I've decided to take a break.
Any hints on putting them back together? How about a video tutorial? Any info on this procedure would be welcome.

 

[bdial]

Lear camera repair.com has a service manual for it. https://learncamerarepair.com/product.php?product=335&category=0&secondary=0

 

[OAPOli]

Generally speaking the next blade goes over the previous; the last goes under the first. They have to be laid symmetrically for the cam plate to align properly over the pins. It's difficult and requires patience.

 

[Robert Ley]

Generally speaking the next blade goes over the previous; the last goes under the first. They have to be laid symmetrically for the cam plate to align properly over the pins. It's difficult and requires patience.

Sounds like a job best done before you have too much coffee.

Going to give it another go tomorrow.

 

[mshchem]

Isopropyl alcohol (IPA) doesn't dissolve oil, at least not a petroleum based oil. Naphtha (mineral spirits USA) or lighter fluid (cigarette lighter fuel) works great. I have resurrected a couple old American made Ilex shutters, and even Hasselblad magazines with lighter fluid and even better old Kodak movie film cleaner

 

[OAPOli]

There is a video about repairing this lens



Haven't watched it so tread carefully.

Edit. I watched the section where he re-assembles the aperture. Unfortunately he does it incorrectly. He gets it right but doesn't show how.

 

[Robert Ley]

There is a video about repairing this lens



Haven't watched it so tread carefully.

Edit. I watched the section where he re-assembles the aperture. Unfortunately he does it incorrectly. He gets it right but doesn't show how.

I know, I watched it and it really messed me up. Watched another video today and that guy got it right and I will try using his technique.
Thanks for your input!
Cheers,
Robert

 

[Robert Ley]

I have run up against a problem. I finally got the aperture blades in and working. I went to attach the aperture spring and it wasn't there. Does anyone know where I can get a replacement spring? The part number is 1K 225-137.

I went back to my work area and looking on the floor I found that tiny spring, so I have dodged a huge bullet and have found it is hard to sit down with that horseshoe up my ass . This leads me to the subject of where to get parts ( small screws and other parts such as springs,etc.) for Nikon and other cameras.

 

[Robert Ley]

After more than a few tries, I now have a lens with clean aperture blades and works as it should.
I learned quite a bit on this first repair:
Take pictures as you disassemble the lens, at least for your first few repairs.
Scribe orientation marks as you disassemble, makes it a whole lot easier to re-assemble.
After way too much practice, I got pretty good at placing the aperture blades

Well, it is on to the next repair, a 55mm f2.8 AI-s that I took apart about five years ago, so it will be a challenge.

Thanks to all that chimed in on this maiden repair!

Cheers,
Robert