jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

My question to those that might have dabbled in camera and lens repair is what grease to use for the zoom mechanism of a lens - specifically a Canon 24-70mm f/2.8

I took my lens to Canon several months ago to have a clean and check done. I'm a CPS member and get 5 free clean & checks per year. They told me that the zoom mechanism is sticky and could use fixing at a price of about $350. I said no thanks I'll keep using it until something happens. Well, something did happen. I got the dreaded 01 Error and the aperture stopped working. I did some research on youtube and bought a new part and fixed it myself. When I had the lens apart I noticed a small amount of grease in areas that seemed to be there for the zooming mechanism. Since I don't have any of that grease I simply continued with the repair and when it was all done noticed that it still sticks slightly about half way through zooming. I know how this lens works, and know how to take it apart and put it back together so I figured if I got the proper grease I'd fix it the rest of the way and then sell this lens. I've already purchased the new mark II version to replace this old work horse.

Thanks for any input you might have.

PS - Please don't tell me to try something that you aren't sure the camera repair shops may or may not use. I can think of plenty of grease I could try, but I don't want to get this wrong. It really isn't that easy to take these things apart and put back together. In fact, they are quite difficult and the screws are extremely small. It only goes back together one way or it won't work and parts are very delicate.

StanMac Loc: Tennessee

Why not ask the Canon repair service, or a competent independent camera repair service, what grease they use for that application. It’s worth a shot.

Stan

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

Thought I'd ask here first since I can't sleep and Canon and other shops aren't open yet.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

While touring an (anonymous) lens manufacturing facility some years ago I noticed white tubes of silicone based lube on most work locations that had metal needle application tips on them. The name was in Chinese or Japanese but the description was clearly in English. All the writing was red.
No I don't know the exact lube of choice of Canon though.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

There are companies that specialize in lubricants for microscopes, telescopes camera lenses and other precision optics.

You may get some good ideas here:

https://richardhaw.com/tag/lens-grease/

https://www.filmshooterscollective.com/analog-film-photography-blog/diy-camera-maintenancerepair-resources-part-iii-brett-rogers-4-27

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

Thank you guys. I appreciate it. Just emailed a person I know that works at Canon repair in Costa Mesa CA. She works as a marketing person, not repair person, but I'm hoping she can get me a dab of the grease.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

Just got a reply and their grease is top secret and they won't help me.

jbird97 Loc: Ephrata Pennsylvania

Maybe they are using Nikon grease

chippy65 Loc: Cambridge

If the viscosity is correct silicone laboratory grease might be applicable.

the stuff that you put on burette taps . clear and very stable. I think it would be unlikely to "migrate"

to other parts of the mechanism

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

I just now googled, Type of grease used in Canon lenses. There were numerous choices of information there.

Dennis

Fkaufman3 Loc: Florida, LA ie lower Alabama

WD-40 might work,

latebloomer Loc: Topeka, KS

WD-40 might migrate to other parts. I am a trapshooter. Trapshooters recommend to not use WD-40 on shotguns made just for trapshooting because of the migration. I tried it before I saw the recommendations. It did migrate on a moderately expensive ($4,000) shotgun I have. It took a very through cleaning to put it back in order. I doubt any manufacturer could afford to make a grease just for the very small market of cameras. The cost would hugely outweigh their sales. They just take a grease they make and put a different label on it. A non-runny white silicone will probably suffice. I still have a tube I use on my trap guns after 5 years of trapshooting at 12,000 to 15,000 shells a year. The stuff lasts a long time.

sv3noKin51E

Ahhh.. FK, you're kidding, right? After year spent freeing rusted parts with WD40 and it's generic brethren, if the lens has that much severe rust that you'd be tempted to use WD40; don't; toss it, use it as a hammer, but never use WD40.

WD40, CCR556 etc., isn't lube, not even close. WD will flush out anything similer to rust, and will flush out all lubrication.

Please, never, ever use that stuff on photography gear, nor for firearms; unless your firearms are hopelessly corroded, nasty, rusty, and only if you're stripping, re-building and re-bluing them afterwards. We've used Tri-flow and various Rem-Oil type Teflon-based lube and cleaners on our firearms for decades. Not a shooting joke. Can't remember how long it's been since we purchased corrosive gun chems. Teflon is also not for cameras or lenses.

In a pinch, if you're stuck inside on your way to one kind of shoot or another, WD40 could un-stick the stuck door hinges, if you're not in a rush, but get good spray lube to apply to keep the door from freezing up again, been there, done that. Our neighbor finds WD40 useful for getting his truck's frozen lug nuts off, he went through several cans in one day...

DJO

I have 1 or 2 lenses that could use a lube-job; I have been considering this product, available on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00D0HOLO6/?coliid=I2JEGMBF3QMVN1&colid=30HKGG5CFTTZ9&psc=0&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

If any members have experience with or information about this lubricant, and are willing to pass it on, it would be greatly appreciated.

latebloomer Loc: Topeka, KS

I tried it once on my trap gun as a lubricant. It didn't lube. Spent the night cleaning including carburetor cleaner. If something is really stuck one might try carburetor cleaning on the lens. You would need to dip the entire lens in carburetor cleaner. (Not being serious as one can tell) Go to a gun shop, Cabelas, Bass Pro, etc. and look for lubricants without Teflon. They should have some silicon based lubricants and some with with a rather small needle for dispersion.