Loading…
18
I found a stuck aperture ring on a vintage Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 that came loose after a 24-hour soak in lighter fluid, not the usual naptha.
The solvent's slightly different viscosity seemed to creep into the hardened grease better, and now I'm curious if anyone else has a go-to penetrating fluid for seized helicoids that isn't the standard recommendation.
3 comments
Log in to join the discussion
Log In3 Comments
robin_schmidt576mo ago
Sweet, felix_chen10's ATF trick is next on my list.
10
harper_shah417mo ago
Honestly, lighter fluid is a solid pick because it's mostly naptha anyway. For really stubborn helicoids, I've had good luck with a 50/50 mix of automatic transmission fluid and acetone. It's thin enough to creep but leaves a tiny bit of lubrication behind so it's not totally dry when you start working it loose. The key is letting it sit for a couple days, working the mechanism just a tiny bit each day to help it along. Straight acetone can work faster but it dries out any remaining grease completely, which can lead to scoring if you force it.
7
felix_chen107mo ago
Nice, that ATF/acetone trick sounds way smarter than my usual soak-and-pray method. Might have to steal that for the next crusty old lens I find.
3