PC-sync port - Anyone know if I can fix this myself?

[nathantw]

I purchased this lens from some individual a couple years ago but never really looked at the PC-sync port closely. I'm now using the port more extensively but the plug kept falling out. Just the other day a friend and I realized that the port is sunken in and not flush like all the rest of the lenses. Is this something that can be fixed myself or do I need to take it to a repair person? If it's something I can do myself is it a matter of getting a hex key and taking the outer ring off then pulling the PC port up? I know it's probably not that simple. Thanks in advance.

 

[AgX]

First time I see such hex-nut stud. The nut acting just as that seems logical. But my experience, as yours, taught me that things not always are logical...
In case the stud just being a nut
-) it should now be lose and the whole assembly easily be pulled up a bit.
-) you would need a special drilled-out hex-key to fasten it, like the safety-nut keys.

 

[shutterfinger]

I agree, do not put a hex key wrench in the socket until a diagram of the lens confirms its a threaded sleeve that screws into the lens barrel.
Try a pin that fits the center of the PC socket snugly and pull up on the PC socket. The base of the socket may be hex and broken off.
You could put some glue (super glue) on a rod, place the rod on top of the socket, pull up once cured, secure the PC socket in the housing with JB Weld or similar, cut the rod off at the top of the PC socket or use glue remover to remove the rod.

 

[BrianShaw]

On one of my lenses the PC is flush, and on the other it is recessed like yours. Both work. Both have a rubber bushing that keeps the PC plug from pulling out.

 

[nathantw]

I actually got a the outer ring (the hex part) off. Under it is a metal threaded ring that needs to be taken off with a spanner. Under that is the PC plug that can be unscrewed. I stopped at that the first part since I didn't have a spanner. It appears the previous owner saw the problem and tried to take the metal threaded ring off without a spanner and slipped because there's a slight scratch on the barrel where it slipped. The port will work without the hex ring part off, but I'm not going to do that since that ring is there for a reason. Most likely I'll just have the lens serviced. No wonder the lens was put on sale in to begin with. If a deal is too good to be true, it probably is.

 

[AgX]

As I indicated with that hex-nut: if that spanner ring needs force to twist it cannot be the reason for the connector to have slipped-in.

 

[BrianShaw]

Looking at the CF repair manual, that spanning nut is indeed what holds the flash contact/pc in place. I'd be surprised if it "slipped in" that far, though, since I can't imagine the threads being that long. But now that you have the housing off, why not try tightening it and see what happens. But as AgX said, if it is tight it probably isn't the reason for being depressed in the housing. I'm wondering if there were different flash synch/pc of different lengths over the years...

If you don't want/need to have the lens serviced quite yet you could also consider getting a cord from Paramount with a long PC tip. See item #8 in the FAQ:

http://www.paramountcords.com/about/faq/