My Nikkor isn't stiff enough.

EASmithV · Jun 11, 2009

I have among others, a Nikkor-S 50mm f1.4. When focusing, the focusing ring turns too easily, and wobbles ever so slightly. It's not something that affects the usability, but it is highly annoying. How do I fix something like this?

Bob-D659 · Jun 11, 2009

The focus helicoid needs some damping grease. Not difficult to do if you are familiar with taking lenses apart and reassembling them correctly.

Thomas Wilson · Jun 11, 2009

Rough schematic of Nikor Non A.I. 50 1.4

I recall from years ago an old timer explained that the different metals with a special thin lube was what gave the focus mechanism its silky smooth but resistive motion. I also recall being told not to compare too closely the action of new (circa 1980) and older Nikon lenses.

I would dismantle the bugger and have a look to see if the lubricant has dried or to see if the set screw has loosened a bit over time. Once upon a time, I had a small jar of special "Lens-lube," given to me by the old timer. I'll have a look for it. Who knows what I might find in the search.

BTW, once you remove the first retaining ring ( a rubber ring on a plastic jar is my tool of choice), the rest is gravy.

Let us know what you find.

EASmithV · Jun 12, 2009

Thomas Wilson said:
I also recall being told not to compare too closely the action of new (circa 1980) and older Nikon lenses.

Please clarify.

Thx for the diagram.

dougjgreen · Jun 12, 2009

It could be worse - you could have the same insufficient stiffness problem, but not with your Nikkor.

richard ide · Jun 12, 2009

I had the same problem many years ago with the same lens. IIRC I used an ultrafine screwdriver to slightly tighten; I think 3 screws, on the outside of the focussing ring

Thomas Wilson · Jun 12, 2009

We're going back a few years, but if I recall, the older (1960 vintage) Nikkors were never as tight or stiff as the modern (1980 vintage) Nikkors. I had the 50 1.4 & the 105 2.5 in both vintages. I bought the A.I. versions precisely for their tighter feel.

It's certainly possible that the older lenses were once as tight (when new) but I never had the opportunity to compare two new lenses side by side.

EASmithV · Jun 12, 2009

Do you have a diagram for the older Nikkors 1.4 as well (the original Nippon-Kogaku that launched with the F)?

Would a CLD fix this problem as well?

EASmithV · Jun 12, 2009

dougjgreen said:
It could be worse - you could have the same insufficient stiffness problem, but not with your Nikkor.

:munch:

xtolsniffer · Jun 12, 2009

I have the opposite problem, my 55mm Micro is too stiff........make of that what you will.

2F/2F · Jun 12, 2009

Should cost $40 or so to get your lens CLAd. Whether that is worth it or not is up to you...but it means you don't take a risk of not being able to get the thing back together, and you don't have to buy the proper supplies to perform the service yourself, not to mention the time. If you were going to service lenses often, sure...but in this case, I would just take it somewhere and see what they say.

Steve Smith · Jun 12, 2009

Bob-D659 said:
Not difficult to do if you are familiar with taking lenses apart and reassembling them correctly.

I'm quite good at the first part of that procedure!

Steve.

EASmithV · Jun 12, 2009

Yes I have two Nikkor 1.4s... One of them is the lens that originally came with the Nikon, and is one that I tried to "fix". I recently got the other one (the one that is not stiff enough) because I wanted a faster lens like the one I had originally.

Since then I've told myself never to take apart anything smaller than a Speed Graphic... And only If I have instructions...

EASmithV · Jun 12, 2009

What If I take the element section from the old lens, and drop it in the new lens? The old lens was plenty stiff.

archphoto · Jun 12, 2009

For the grease go to Dead Link Removed ,
they have a lot of other things for repairs aswell.

Peter

dougjgreen · Jun 12, 2009

xtolsniffer said:
I have the opposite problem, my 55mm Micro is too stiff........make of that what you will.

Shame it's a Micro that's too stiff.

flatulent1 · Jun 13, 2009

dougjgreen said:
Shame it's a Micro that's too stiff.

And only 55mm at that...

rosey · Jun 13, 2009

To the OP: If a lens isn't stiff enough, crush one Viagra tablet and rub it on the lens mount. Cialis is best for screw mounts.

David Brown · Jun 13, 2009

xtolsniffer said:
I have the opposite problem, my 55mm Micro is too stiff...

If this persists for more than 4 hours, see your camera repairman ...

John_Nikon_F · Jun 13, 2009

All jokes aside, the late rubber focus ring non-AI and the AI lenses tend to have the stiffer focus rings. AIS lenses seem to have gone back to the smooth feel of the metal focus ring non-AI lenses, except for lenses like the 55f2.8, which are stiffer, but then again, so are the older 55f3.5's. Even my early compensating diaphragm 55f3.5's were pretty stiff in focus.

It's possible that the 50f1.4 that you're dealing with was dropped @ one time. That could cause a loose feeling focus ring. I once owned a 50f1.4 Nikkor-S that had the ring become disengaged from the helix. Had to pull the focus ring toward the camera body to focus the lens, otherwise it would just spin.

-J

Smudger · Jun 17, 2009

Google Rick Oleson : I'm pretty sure he has a stripdown procedure and diagram for the 50/f1.4 on his site.
In my experience this is an easy lens to get into,I've done two with no problems.

My Nikkor isn't stiff enough.

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