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

[Hassasin]

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

A bit off topic, have you had any luck getting anything from these guys recently? I attempted to get a few manuals about 2 weeks ago, and so far zero response, no way to pay, and as such no link to download. I've sent numerous emails asking for action, nothing back. Like nobody monitoring their own email.

 

[bdial]

A bit off topic, have you had any luck getting anything from these guys recently? I attempted to get a few manuals about 2 weeks ago, and so far zero response, no way to pay, and as such no link to download. I've sent numerous emails asking for action, nothing back. Like nobody monitoring their own email.

I’ve not bought anything from them recently. Sad news if they are one the way down. I hope it’s some temporary glitch.

 

[Sarin242]

I’ll describe my weekend story - maybe it will be useful to someone in the future.

Recently, I bought a Nikkor AF 35mm f/2D lens in very good condition, except for an oily and sticky aperture blades. Since cleaning it isn’t a big problem, I decided to do it myself. I have some experience repairing photographic equipment as well as the necessary tools. However, this lens turned out to be quite a challenge. The front name ring was screwed in crooked and jammed. It might have been a factory defect, because once I finally managed to unscrew it, the inside of the lens appeared untouched.

None of the standard tools for unscrewing rings were able to loosen this ring. At first, I 3D-printed a simple ring with a diameter small enough to fit inside the lens. I warmed the part of the front barrel a bit with a hair dryer, then pressed quite hard the lens onto the ring so that the thread would fall back into its proper position.

Now the ring was straight but I still wasn’t able to unscrew it. I really didn’t want to damage the ring or lens, so I came up with an idea for another tool. This time it consisted of two parts: one that I glued to the ring using hot glue, and another that served as an adapter for a cordless drill.

And that did the trick! I think this method can be used to unscrew even very stubborn rings.

I’m attaching photos that more or less show what it looks like.

 

[Dan Daniel]

Hot glue for the win! Thanks for the report. I'll need to add hot glue to my tool list for problems like this.

 

[BobUK]

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

A warning to UK members. Possibly you may have the same problem in the USA.

We have had a problem for some years here in the UK. Packages of food, sweets, materials in general have been reducing in size whilst staying the same price. Sometimes the price goes up , and still the size reduces.

I bought a new tin of lighter petrol last week, and was surprised when I saw it. Same price, smaller tin.

I am going to make an effort to look in the bargain stores to see if any of the old sizes are still available.

Have a look at the photo.

 

[MattKing]

Not just in the UK Bob.
A reaction, I expect to three factors:
1) customers resistant to price hikes;
2) packaging costs have increased for the old size;
3) shipping costs for both the container and the finished packages have gone way up - including for shipments to retailers.

 

[RalphLambrecht]

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:

View attachment 390818

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

oil on the aperture blades are easily avoided with proper storage (upright, face down).