Yogifi
Offline
Upload & Sell: Off
|
 Re: Manual Focus Nikon Glass | |
Oosty wrote:
Yogifi wrote:
DeltaSigma wrote:
I am in the UK, based near London
6 or 7 years ago I used Fixation in Vauxhall to CLA a 135/2.8 AI-S.
The elements were cleaned and the helicoids re-lubed. I don't think the service costs were worth it on that lens.
However, I do have a beautifully dampened 135/2.8 to use as a benchmark...
Subsequent to that endeavour I obtained the tools and grease to do my own.
I have only worked on a 'donor' 50/2 H so far. One day I will give the others the same TLC.
Colin
Yogifi wrote:
I picked up a few classic nikon lenses but I don't have experience in how they're supposed to feel and wanted to check with folks here.
I understand they're quite old at this point. I tried to get the highest serial numbers and best condition I could find.
My 50mm f1.4 AIS focus ring is so easy to turn, I worry when I let go of the ring that the focus will move from where I left it - it doesn't seem to, but it's probably close.
There's almost no dampening. Very different to the 50mm f1.4 AI, which is quite slow but not stiff.
I read on Ken Rockwell the 50/1.4 AIS is turnable with just one finger and that's true but it does seem a bit too easy to turn.
My 35mm f1.4 AIS is nicely dampened without being tight, and is a smaller lens than I was expecting but when doing the smallest microadjustment like you would everytime you confirm focus, there's like a very slight travel before it engages with the change of direction - about 0.5mm. Quite annoying when checking focus by going over and under and few times. You can feel and see it by trying to turn it the absolute smallest amount back and forth.
While I appreciate the improvement over the 50mm f1.4 AFD in terms of focus feel, they don't seem to be without issues themselves. The 35/1.4 being particularly cumbersome in-use. Perhaps my copies aren't representative?
The 50mm f1.2 should be here later today but those were the two I was most looking forward to using regularly with the fm2n, which I've been preferring over digital recently.
I've noticed with both of them, that if I don't use the grip but closer to the aperture ring, the problems aren't as bad so perhaps it's common to do large changes with the rubber grip and then slide down closer to the silver ring for the micro-adjustments? It is textured there but seems a bit unusual to need to do.
Perhaps they just all need some servicing? I'm not really sure who to take them to in the UK. It seems quite complicated to repair properly, especially with the 35mm.
It actually seems like every single camera/lens older than 15 years old that I've bought could do with a service, and the shops here seem don't seem to be as prevalent as maybe they were a decade ago.
Might be time to start learning repairs but making markings to remember the orientation and spacing....doesn't seem very sound.
Let's see, it's worth figuring out as I plan to keep these for the long term, and maybe the 24/28/85/105 too (those 20mm shots above look great though).
But with every additional purhcase I'm now less hopeful about avoiding even a small headache. Need to factor in repairs ontop of the price, even with these "top mint" items on ebay.
Probably not very relevant for you folks who've been nursing your copies for decades. But I think with film making a bit of a comeback the last few years, these lenses might start gaining in popularity again. Particularly because of the reliability of some of the older nikon cameras, they might be the only 35mm film cameras that still work that aren't Leicas in 10-20 more years. A bit nicer character on the 35, and also the 50 for my taste but I can appreciate the sharpness of the Leicas too.
I like the lenses quite a bit other than these possibly age related build issues. And I'm bracing myself for the build quality of the shortly arriving mir 24h (35/2 nikon f mount Russian lens, a Zeiss f2.8 inspired lens from what I've read with a massive focus throw, but smooth bokeh).
-- luckily, both the 50/1.2 and mir 24h lenses are fine.
I thought the mir had the same issue as the 35/1.4 ais with the wobble when changing focus direction but it's just a longer throw. It's actually a very good size too. And the 50/1.2 isn't particularly big either, just a bit dense. 35/1.4 ais is less dense but longer, but completely fine. I was worried about that one. I usually carry one lens on a body in a small camera bag that opens easily, rather than around my neck.
Mir seems like it's easier to focus with the longer smooth throw, but a little boring (but safer) rendering, very nice compact design. 35mm f1.4 render is fun though, I'm smiling just trying it on digital.
Maybe the 85 ais sometime next year for some nice film portraits.
Thank you, brilliant, fixation were the ones I was looking at as they're listed on the Nikon website though they do mention no parts available for some of these AIS lenses and support seems to be dwindling for them, the 35/1.4 ais isn't even listed though the f2 is.
And I don't think their pricing is going to make all that much sense to get a bunch of them done specifically for "peace of mind". I'd probably be more worried about sending it in as they barely refer to AIS lenses on their website (now), whereas they highlight... sensor cleaning.
I also wonder how long it's been since they last serviced some of these lenses, employees retire and swap over etc.
On the other hand it might also take an entire afternoon to get this done for one of them, though I'd probably pick a few things up that would help for the next one.
If you wouldn't mind letting me know about the grease you got and how it affected dampening on your 50/2 H? I guess it's tough to know for sure how it would affect a different model but it's a starting point. I can practice on the 50/1.4 AI which does feel a little slow to turn, but not stiff.
I know lithium is quite popular generally (for not interfering with the outer plastic I think), though I read comments here and there about it affecting copper (might be only certain formulas). I've also seen references specifically to dampening grease but people don't usually specify brands and items.
It's also important to use the correct spec screwdrivers - the Japanese standard is different from the similar Philips which can lead to heartache 
I bought a bunch of neat tools about two years ago, all set, but thank you for the warning!
They finally came in handy when I was opening up my fm2n to check something the other day. Haven't popped open the lenses until I get the right helicoid greases, Japan hobby tool set etc.
Knew I wasn't crazy, figured it'd be good to be prepared with tools since I basically never had the right thing before.
It was the first thing I did when the company started picking up. Maybe one day I'll use those knipex ones that can cut steel xD.
TBH first I want to check that I can actually get the sharp portrait photos with either fm2n before opening anything else up, or picking up any more lenses. I'm thinking I went overboard with the 35/1.4, nice as it is I probably should have picked up the 35/2, the mir-24H (35/2) theres something about the coatings I dont love but hopefully will pass on film, stuck with the 50/1.4 instead of adding the 1.2, and maybe getting the 85/2 and not going for the 1.4 and calling it a day.
|
