Helios 81H Stuck on Nikon FA

Federico Toro · Mar 8, 2019

Hey! So I have a helios 81H (50mm, f2) that has a nikon mount on it and works perfectly on my Nikon D7200. However, I mounted the lens on a Nikon FA and not only did the lens not click in all the way, it is now stuck and I am unable to remove the lens from the body. It seems the lens removal button is not going down all the way. What is the best way to go about this? If possible, I would like to remove the lens myself without going to a camera repairman. Thank you!

M-88 · Mar 9, 2019

Hello and welcome!

Soviet lenses are notorious for having been manufacture with random precision. You'll either have to try and remove it the way you put it on (there's no other way of removing it), or address the service of the repair man. I'm not sure how it worked with D7200 but refuses to snap on FA, but I'd never try it with my FE.

Seems like someone else had similar mishap years ago:
https://www.photrio.com/forum/threads/helios-81-stuck-on-a-nikon-n2000.95764/

MartinCrabtree · Mar 9, 2019

Try warming things up a little with a hair dryer first. The body is alloy and will expand faster than the brass/chrome lens mount. Heat a bit and try. A little more heat and try again until you're no longer comfortable with the amount of heat used.

abruzzi · Mar 9, 2019

if it didn't fully click when you put it on, is the lens on solid, or does it have any play? If there is play, you might try a feeler gauge between the lens and camera to see if you can find and disengage what is catching. If the lens release button isn't pushing down all the way, try rotating the lens toward the locked position to see if it loosens up the button so it can be fully depressed.

Federico Toro · Mar 14, 2019

Thank you all for the responses! The lens did not click in all the way when it was inserted and is able to move a little. I will try the feeler gauge and the hair dryer, however if neither works i think I will opt for reaching out to a professional. Thanks again for your help!

mshchem · Mar 14, 2019

You might try a strap wrench. These are readily available as oil filter wrenches you use a socket wrench with a short extension. The strap is fabric webbing. I would make sure you have the lens release button pushed, it may be partially engaged. Like has already been said it has to come off the way it went on.
There's a lot of different strap wrenches, Rigid makes a high end unit for plumbing. If you Google strap wrench you will see dozens. Harbor Freight (shudder) sells a pair of el cheapo wrenches with rubber straps for 5 bucks.
If you get desperate, Vise Grip makes a chain wrench, this would need padding and prayers to keep it from smooshing something.

These are darn handy to have around, especially a good one.

mshchem · Mar 17, 2019

Did you get the lens off the camera ?

Federico Toro · Mar 20, 2019

mshchem said:
Did you get the lens off the camera ?

Hey All!

I finally managed to get the lens of the camera. However, all it took was a little more force whilst turning the lens and pulling the lens away from the camera whilst doing so. It appears the pin was not receding enough when the lens-release button was pushed down and thus would not allow the lens to turn. Thank you all again for your help!

mshchem · Mar 20, 2019

Federico Toro said:
Hey All!

I finally managed to get the lens of the camera. However, all it took was a little more force whilst turning the lens and pulling the lens away from the camera whilst doing so. It appears the pin was not receding enough when the lens-release button was pushed down and thus would not allow the lens to turn. Thank you all again for your help!

Good Job!

Helios 81H Stuck on Nikon FA

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