How to losen a sticky focus ring without damaging the camera

fabulousrice · Nov 4, 2022

I just got a camera and was excited to use it, but the focus ring is very tiny, very stiff and I can't turn it with my hands alone.
I was able to turn it using pliers, but nothing I tried has losened it (rotating it several times, using a blow hair dryer to warm it up, etc).
In the process I am adding scratches to the focus ring and I'm not happy with that.

Are there methods for making a focus ring less stiff?

MattKing · Nov 4, 2022

Moved to the Camera Repair sub-forum. Hope you find a solution.

AgX · Nov 4, 2022

Isn't it common belief that the only remedy against that Agfa (Bencini) grease is whitchcraft?

albada · Nov 4, 2022

The only repair I know of for Agfa's infamous Green Gluey Grease is to remove the focus assembly from the camera and heat it in an oven at -- I don't remember -- maybe 200 F. That will soften the grease enough to separate the threaded pair. Then you can scrub off the grease with naphtha and a toothbrush.

gone · Nov 4, 2022

It's Italian, so maybe olive oil?

You will probably need to take it apart and see what's up. Sounds like the original grease/oil has frozen things, like on the Agfa folders.

If you can just get the elements out, you could soak the lens in the highest proof alcohol you could find. That's how I unstuck my Agfa cameras. On one that I couldn't get apart, I soaked the whole lens and shutter assy. It worked after a couple of days of soaking in a big coffee cup.

But you need the high proof stuff, the usual rubbing alcohol in stores is generally too low on the proof.

fabulousrice · Nov 4, 2022

momus said:
It's Italian, so maybe olive oil?

You will probably need to take it apart and see what's up. Sounds like the original grease/oil has frozen things, like on the Agfa folders.

If you can just get the elements out, you could soak the lens in the highest proof alcohol you could find. That's how I unstuck my Agfa cameras. On one that I couldn't get apart, I soaked the whole lens and shutter assy. It worked after a couple of days of soaking in a big coffee cup.

But you need the high proof stuff, the usual rubbing alcohol in stores is generally too low on the proof.

You soaked the whole thing? Did you get dried marks on the lens at all?

fabulousrice · Nov 4, 2022

albada said:
The only repair I know of for Agfa's infamous Green Gluey Grease is to remove the focus assembly from the camera and heat it in an oven at -- I don't remember -- maybe 200 F. That will soften the grease enough to separate the threaded pair. Then you can scrub off the grease with naphtha and a toothbrush.

Do you know how to? I can't see any screws anywhere

albada · Nov 4, 2022

fabulousrice said:
Do you know how to? I can't see any screws anywhere

I see no set-screws on the focus ring, so my guess is that you'll need to remove the shutter and disassemble it from the rear. Your shutter looks like a simple design, so this chore shouldn't be too difficult.

John Will · Nov 5, 2022

I believe your camera is a Koroll 24 S. Have a read of this post: https://www.flickr.com/groups/10573220@N00/discuss/72157622503365458/ Several solutions are noted.

Seems to be a common problem with Bencini cameras.

fabulousrice · Nov 7, 2022

John Will said:
I believe your camera is a Koroll 24 S. Have a read of this post: https://www.flickr.com/groups/10573220@N00/discuss/72157622503365458/ Several solutions are noted.

Seems to be a common problem with Bencini cameras.

Excellent - thank you. I fixed it and now it's maybe a little too lose I'm also not getting the ring to stop with a clean stop at infinity it just becomes tighter but I'm doing a test roll and we'll see

How to losen a sticky focus ring without damaging the camera

Moderator

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency