Lens Nikon 135mms F/3.5: The focus ring is hard to turn , I was thinking of cleaning the helicoil in the lens grease might be sticky, what do you guys think would you do it.I looked on...

Jim Bianco

The focus ring is hard to turn , I was thinking of cleaning the helicoil in the lens grease might be sticky, what do you guys think would you do it.I looked on I tube and it don't look to bad.

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

It is an old lens and in my case I favor the f2.8 version. If you have the skills to clean the helicoid and apply the proper amount of lubrication you have nothing to loose.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Jim Bianco wrote:

The focus ring is hard to turn , I was thinking of cleaning the helicoil in the lens grease might be sticky, what do you guys think would you do it.I looked on I tube and it don't look to bad.

I would call midwest camera repair and ask for their advice, they service all types of lenses and Nikon lenses.
734- 285-2220

yorkiebyte Loc: Scottsdale, AZ/Bandon by the Sea, OR

Tear it apart and DIY. Make sure you have a set of JDM mini screwdrivers though. Your American jewelers screwdrivers will mess up all those little screws. (Check Amazon for those JDM screwdrivers)
... Have fun with this procedure. You can do it! I've repaired a number of cheap lenses like yours! (UTube helps!). It's fun and maddening at the same time! But for the price of that 135mm lens, who cares!!
... Just do it!

Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC

https://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/135f35.htm

https://www.keh.com/shop/nikon-135mm-f-3-5-ai-manual-focus-lens-52.html
Excellent Condition $139.95 (warrantied to be good for 180 days)
Time is money...

btw I have the AI 135mm f/2.8 and it has a HUGE focus throw... much greater than the AI-S variant.
Love it! Hard to believe how sharp it is wide open! And acuity peaks by f/4
Albeit it vignettes a tad at f/2.8 but that is gone by f/4
Perfect mate for my Nikon D700...

Hope this helps...

User ID

yorkiebyte wrote:

Tear it apart and DIY. Make sure you have a set of JDM mini screwdrivers though. Your American jewelers screwdrivers will mess up all those little screws. (Check Amazon for those JDM screwdrivers)
... Have fun with this procedure. You can do it! I've repaired a number of cheap lenses like yours! (UTube helps!). It's fun and maddening at the same time! But for the price of that 135mm lens, who cares!!
... Just do it!

Yup. Nothing to lose. Professional CLA is off the table dollarwise. I’ve had mostly success with that approach, and acoarst the failures go in the trash. No regrets.

yorkiebyte Loc: Scottsdale, AZ/Bandon by the Sea, OR

User ID wrote:

Yup. Nothing to lose. Professional CLA is off the table dollarwise. I’ve had mostly success with that approach, and acoarst the failures go in the trash. No regrets.

It's all good!.... And fun!

BebuLamar

User ID wrote:

Yup. Nothing to lose. Professional CLA is off the table dollarwise. I’ve had mostly success with that approach, and acoarst the failures go in the trash. No regrets.

If you don't like the screw driver approach. You can use a sheet of stiff paper, stick it in between the focusing ring and the lens to clean out the dirt in there. It works for several of my lenses.

Jim Bianco

Jim Bianco wrote:

The focus ring is hard to turn , I was thinking of cleaning the helicoil in the lens grease might be sticky, what do you guys think would you do it.I looked on I tube and it don't look to bad.

Thanks

Jim Bianco

camerapapi wrote:

It is an old lens and in my case I favor the f2.8 version. If you have the skills to clean the helicoid and apply the proper amount of lubrication you have nothing to loose.

Thanks

Jim Bianco

yorkiebyte wrote:

Tear it apart and DIY. Make sure you have a set of JDM mini screwdrivers though. Your American jewelers screwdrivers will mess up all those little screws. (Check Amazon for those JDM screwdrivers)
... Have fun with this procedure. You can do it! I've repaired a number of cheap lenses like yours! (UTube helps!). It's fun and maddening at the same time! But for the price of that 135mm lens, who cares!!
... Just do it!

Thanks

Jim Bianco

Thomas902 wrote:

https://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/135f35.htm br b... (show quote)

Thanks

Jim Bianco

User ID wrote:

Yup. Nothing to lose. Professional CLA is off the table dollarwise. I’ve had mostly success with that approach, and acoarst the failures go in the trash. No regrets.

Thanks