I need some help. I just realised that the 20mm Flektogon I have is actually broken, it's always fully open. The aperture ring doesn't do anything, and I'm suprised myself I haven't noticed this sooner. I suppose it's because even on 2.8 it has large depth of field and since I primarily took landscape shots with it I never noticed it.
At any rate, I tried to take it apart and it seems it's a case of something in the aperture assembly but I wasn't able to disassemble it without potentially scratching/breaking stuff. I also fucked up the focus ring when I put it back together - go me.
Anyway my question is, does anyone know of a photography store in around Toronto where I can repair it? I looked at Vistek's site and it doesn't seem like they do lens repairs, and if they do it's gonna be expensive as hell.
The issue is most likely oil on the blades keeping them from closing, which is a simple enough job if you can actually get to the blade housing without ruining the lens, however if you've "unscrewed" the focus element off entirely that can be bad, as it needs to be put back on EXACTLY as it came off. Generally a bad idea to start opening up lenses and tinkering about with them when they're worth $300+ =P
Well I got them from free from my dad who was into photography like 20 years ago, so I guess there's no monetary loss.
Also the focus ring - yeah, definitely, I should have noted the original position, but there are two position given the size of the thread that could work. One of them fits almost perfectly, just of by a few degrees and that's the culprit. When I was trying to get to the blade housing I was trying to unscrew the faceplate and basically I managed to rotate the entire system in the frame by those odd degrees. And I can't get it back.
So basically today I just googled the problem with a single word different and the first result gave me a guy who had the EXACT same problem with the exact same lens. So anyway, I read that I had to use a lens spanner to rotate the front element of the lens out so I googled wtf it looks like and realised - I could just use vernier calipers! And I could use turpentine to clean the blades since I have a whole unused bottle left from when I was painting in oil. Naphta would be much better, because turpentine simply dissolves it and I don't have enough to just immerse the assembly in it (so the crap would just wash off). Anyway it should work for now.
So much satisfaction. The only thing I regret is fucking up the focus, I fixed it but it's REALLY stiff towards the infinity mark.
Now for some other stuff - moon pic which I took my taping my camera to a 700mm focal refractor with a 60mm lens. It's a cheap piece of crap but it's good enough to look at the moon.
Unfortunately the stand isn't sturdy so the telescope vibrated every time the mirror flipped. I'm going to try to use an additional tripod for a camera to stabilise it a bit.
That is so awesome (though sad for abandoned kittens? ).
You gonna keep 'em?
We'll keep feeding them of course. Their mom appeared too btw, so they are not abandoned at all now. Maybe she sent the kittens beforehand to mesmerize us with the cuteness
So basically today I just googled the problem with a single word different and the first result gave me a guy who had the EXACT same problem with the exact same lens. So anyway, I read that I had to use a lens spanner to rotate the front element of the lens out so I googled wtf it looks like and realised - I could just use vernier calipers! And I could use turpentine to clean the blades since I have a whole unused bottle left from when I was painting in oil. Naphta would be much better, because turpentine simply dissolves it and I don't have enough to just immerse the assembly in it (so the crap would just wash off). Anyway it should work for now.
So much satisfaction. The only thing I regret is fucking up the focus, I fixed it but it's REALLY stiff towards the infinity mark.
I use Ronsonol light fluid(which apparently is Naphtha) for all sorts of general purpose camera cleaning. I've used it + q-tips on oily aperture blades a couple times with success, and yeah, a decent set of calipers is a GREAT tool.
You probably want to re-grease your focus threads to get rid of the stiffness, i've heard people suggest all sorts of grease, including axel grease. Do a little bit of googling, i bet you'll find something that you can pick up very cheap at a hardware store.
i don't do many, but these days i just stick them through automate>photomerge in ps cs4 and then clean up a bit by hand. Does a fine job for what i've needed recently. Just a bit annoying that it clears pixels from the layers rather than masking them
hey, some very nice photos in here..
i'm not that photoguy in general, but some days ago we went for a walk in the woods...
so here is some mr.redhat we met there and no, we didnt eat him....
Replies
If I could stay overnight in the park I could maybe get star trails.
Took this one at the Epic Mickey booth at PAX:
Two in one day? Yes.
More here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/rickstirling/
Maybe I will see this fabled 'sunrise' early morning thing someday...!!!
vcool - That night sky is crazy awesome too!!
Not that inspiring angle/enviroment and perhaps too much editing
Found this guy hanging at Downtown Disney
Niarbyl Bay, Isle of Man. Two kayakers at top left.
ignore the long intro and the german moonspeak.
[ame]
one day i'm going to remember my tripod. This was resting on a manky old bin stinking to high heaven of fish
At any rate, I tried to take it apart and it seems it's a case of something in the aperture assembly but I wasn't able to disassemble it without potentially scratching/breaking stuff. I also fucked up the focus ring when I put it back together - go me.
Anyway my question is, does anyone know of a photography store in around Toronto where I can repair it? I looked at Vistek's site and it doesn't seem like they do lens repairs, and if they do it's gonna be expensive as hell.
Also the focus ring - yeah, definitely, I should have noted the original position, but there are two position given the size of the thread that could work. One of them fits almost perfectly, just of by a few degrees and that's the culprit. When I was trying to get to the blade housing I was trying to unscrew the faceplate and basically I managed to rotate the entire system in the frame by those odd degrees. And I can't get it back.
I'll try again now.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/eriksaurusrex
Decided to go back to film.
sad to think that its long since dead
FIXED IT
FUCK YEAH
So basically today I just googled the problem with a single word different and the first result gave me a guy who had the EXACT same problem with the exact same lens. So anyway, I read that I had to use a lens spanner to rotate the front element of the lens out so I googled wtf it looks like and realised - I could just use vernier calipers! And I could use turpentine to clean the blades since I have a whole unused bottle left from when I was painting in oil. Naphta would be much better, because turpentine simply dissolves it and I don't have enough to just immerse the assembly in it (so the crap would just wash off). Anyway it should work for now.
So much satisfaction. The only thing I regret is fucking up the focus, I fixed it but it's REALLY stiff towards the infinity mark.
Now for some other stuff - moon pic which I took my taping my camera to a 700mm focal refractor with a 60mm lens. It's a cheap piece of crap but it's good enough to look at the moon.
Unfortunately the stand isn't sturdy so the telescope vibrated every time the mirror flipped. I'm going to try to use an additional tripod for a camera to stabilise it a bit.
The pic was actually mostly process in IRIS.
That is so awesome (though sad for abandoned kittens? ).
You gonna keep 'em?
Tonight all I found was this lurking in the tub :
We'll keep feeding them of course. Their mom appeared too btw, so they are not abandoned at all now. Maybe she sent the kittens beforehand to mesmerize us with the cuteness
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linked to save the tables ... flickr say you're supposed to do this anyway, harumph to them i say
I use Ronsonol light fluid(which apparently is Naphtha) for all sorts of general purpose camera cleaning. I've used it + q-tips on oily aperture blades a couple times with success, and yeah, a decent set of calipers is a GREAT tool.
You probably want to re-grease your focus threads to get rid of the stiffness, i've heard people suggest all sorts of grease, including axel grease. Do a little bit of googling, i bet you'll find something that you can pick up very cheap at a hardware store.
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Large version here
Larger version here
Me and two friends went to Joshua Tree National Park the other day, these are two of many photos taken on the way/on the spot.
Sorry for posting more than one :poly122:
Very nice use of the saying printed on the wall back there. Really fits the mood of the picture
From a new series I started.
Didn't think so...
http://research.microsoft.com/en-us/um/redmond/groups/ivm/ICE/
Anyway, DUCK!
i'm not that photoguy in general, but some days ago we went for a walk in the woods...
so here is some mr.redhat we met there
Technically its a terrible photo but I like the mood of this one