Lens Repair Advice

joecoolman

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Aug 9, 2022
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Hello,

The plastic filter thread of my lens is cracked in 3 places. It doesn't effect the operation so much but I'm unable to use a filter or lens cap. I've held it together with a thin strip of gaffer tape for the last few months which has worked fairly well but
does come loose occasionally and my filter has fallen out several times.

Looking for a longer term solution to fix it. Was planning to super glue it back together but read that the fumes can fog lens coatings. I've seen hot glue recommended for lens repair elsewhere. Was hoping for some suggestions or tips if anyone has any experience with this type of thing?

Thanks
 

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guangong

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Try a contact cement. Apply sparingly to crack, wait a few minutes and then lasso the lens tight and wait for 24 hours.
Or you could use super Glue. I doubt if the tiny bit needed would effect lens. Again, just lasso the lens and just wait.
Who made the lens? There’s a big difference between good plastic and cheap plastic.
 

Sirius Glass

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Gorilla Glue takes 24 hours to cure and is more forgiving than Super Glue since it can be cleaned off and does not set so fast. I also use it for Graphic and Graflex cloth shutters.
 

gone

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This. I've used it on all manner of things and it's simple to apply. If it breaks later it will be from somewhere else, this stuff holds tight. 2 part black epoxy is usually very high strength.

But after looking more closely, I now see that your lens is cracked badly in 3 places. I mean, you can fix those, but it looks like it's replacement time to me. It's only a matter of time before it cracks again from the look of it.

J-B Weld Twin Tube

J-B Weld is The Original Cold Weld two-part epoxy system that provides strong, lasting repairs to metal and multiple surfaces.
www.jbweld.com
 
Last edited:

Paul Ozzello

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If you really want to fix it yourself try to find the the service manual for your lens and remove the ring first. If you can remove it you might consider welding the plastic together with a soldering iron. Google the technique - there are some good YouTube videos that show how to repair plastic.

With the service manual you can probably find the part number and find a replacement on eBay.
 

Jim Jones

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If it were my lens, I'd look for a cheap filter of the correct size, remove the glass, and epoxy the empty filter ring into your lens. clinching the broken camera filter threads down on that filter ring may make the best and most durable fit. This permanent fix may cause vignetting. check that before doing it.
 

ic-racer

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I try this first to melt and weld the plastic together. However, does not work on some plastics.

 

BobUK

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I tried making a glass box by gluing sheets of glass with super glue. It sure does fog the glass.

Super glue fumes were also used to enhance fingerprints in crime laboratories.

Keep Superglue away from glass.
 
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