Nikon 50mm: lubricate focus helical?

removedacct1

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I have a 1980s Nikon 50mm F1.4 lens on my FM2 that desperately needs the focusing helical cleaned and lubricated; its dry as a bone. I've stripped and restored many Kodak Retina models so I am familiar with how to clean and lubricate the helical in one of those, but I haven't any idea how to get into the Nikon lens to perform the task.

Anyone have experience doing this, and can you instruct me, please? I don't need to strip the lens down completely, I just need to get some lubricant into the helical. Thanks.
 

Kino

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Last edited:

Kino

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You are welcome!

I added a link above on working with Helicoils from Richard's site. You may already know this stuff, but wanted to be sure you saw it anyway.

I am about to tear apart my bargain Nikkor-P 105 f2.0 and relube it after watching both Kenneth's and Richard's tutorials.
 

Vilk

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once you take off the mount, extend the focus to the closest distance--in many nikon lenses this will expose quite a chunk of the helicoid... a small pile of q-tips, a few toothpicks, some patience, and you might be able to get decent results without stripping the lens... i did this for 50/1.8, 55/2.8, 28/2, and a couple more... still use them, never an issue in many years
 
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