Super stiff aperture ring for 5cm Collapsible Summicron

Robert Oliver

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Joined

Aug 31, 2006

Messages

104

Location

San Diego

Format

Large Format

• Jul 31, 2011

• #1

kind of a newb with the rangefinder....

Is there a home fix for a super stiff aperture ring on my 5cm Summicron, or am I going to be sending it in.

Tired of wearing the skin off of my fingers trying to go from f2 to f8.

I mean it's really stiff.

 

karl

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Joined

Jan 17, 2003

Messages

224

Location

SanFrancisco

Format

ULarge Format

• Jul 31, 2011

• #2

Just send it to someone for cleaning and re-lubrication. You'll be glad you did.

 

Worker 11811

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Joined

Jan 18, 2010

Messages

1,719

Location

Pennsylvania

Format

Multi Format

• Jul 31, 2011

• #3

DO NOT force it! If it takes more than fingertip pressure to move the aperture ring you are likely to break the internal parts.

Ask me how I know this...

 

rulnacco

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Joined

Mar 20, 2008

Messages

249

Location

Indianapolis, IN

Format

Medium Format

• Aug 1, 2011

• #4

Yes! Have it serviced. Randy can no doubt relate a horror story of exploding aperture blades. It shouldn't be a terrifically expensive fix, the lens will feel wonderful after it's done, and you won't put yourself in line for an even more expensive repair which is sure to follow later.

I had the same thing done (mine was only a bit stiff, apparently owing to a slightly bent acuator mechanism), and I'm very glad I did.

 

IloveTLRs

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Joined

May 22, 2007

Messages

1,132

Location

Boston

Format

Sub 35mm

• Aug 3, 2011

• #5

Aperture blades can break? I've never seen that before ...

 

Worker 11811

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Jan 18, 2010

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1,719

Location

Pennsylvania

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• Aug 3, 2011

• #6

If the blades become misaligned they can cut into each other.

If they become jammed the pivots can break loose or the actuator pins can break off.

If you're lucky they'll only pop out of their sockets, in which case, is only a disassembly, clean and repair job but even if they can be reassembled, there could be minute damage that will cause them to break or jam again... Usually at the worst possible moment.

 

cosmonaut1959

Member

Joined

Sep 1, 2011

Messages

2

Format

35mm RF

• Sep 1, 2011

• #7

I just fixed mine with this very same problem. Warning fix at your own risk!!!!!!!
But the front element just screws off. Once off take a q tip a but a small amount of lighter fluid on the tracks that the apeture ring travels on and then just work the apeture and the lighter fluid will clean the tracks. There is a ring that will have to line back up it fits in a groove. Put it back together with the lens wide open is easier. You can do this without ever touching the blades. Go to justinlowe.com and search for Summitar repair. Your lens is built just like the Summitar.

 

Last edited by a moderator: Sep 1, 2011