Does any one know where lens spanners can be purchased?

I have been searching the web for one of these items - they are available in the U.S of A but is there anywhere in the U.K selling them?

I plan to get into very simple lens cleaning - front and rear elements only. I have tried the 'full on' lens dismantling and the results are still in a drawer somewhere . A job for the brave (stupid in my case) or the experienced!

Thanks and regards,
Simon

I'd like to know the answer to this one too. I would like to remove a few specs of dust from inside the front element of a 300mm lens I have.
Perhaps we could get a job lot from the usa?
john

I've successfully cleaned fungus from 24, 50, 135 and 200mm using a set of smal screw drivers, i've never had to remove every element since the fungus has only affected the front and rear elements. Its not something I'd recomend just to remove a few specks of dust because things can go wrong, I never could get that 35-70 zoom to focus to infinity again....

Lens cleaning can be very hazardous to your health and wallet!!! I have only tried it on an old 50mm lens and like I said the results are still sitting in a drawer somewhere with a small part that didn't make it back inside!

I have now collected about 10 lenses that are uneconomical to have professionally cleaned, some of these have fungus inside the front or rear elements only. A lens spanner would, I hope, be useful for removing the front most optic without needing to fully dismantle the lens - on some lenses the rear element I think can also be removed with a lens spanner alone. Does any one know if I am correct about this?

It does not matter if a few lenses are sacrificed in the pursuit of my own cleaning experience - they are not of a general high quality (Hanimex etc.) - I just have a compulsive obsessive cleaning disorder that needs to be fed.

Lens spanner anyone?

Regards,
Simon

Try [www.micro-tools.com]
They sell a range of camera tools and spares, shipped from Germany. I have purchased from them several times, very efficient.

John

Thanks John . What a fantastic range of tools!! I have ordered the lens spanner pack and am now twiddling my thumbs until it arrives on my doorstep.

Regards,
Simon

Hi Simon,
I was thinking of getting a set from the states from here http://stores.ebay.com/Heavy2stars-Photo-Gear_Tools_W0QQcolZ2QQdirZQ2d1QQsclZall...
These appear to be similiar and somewhat cheaper. I would appreciate it if you could give an "evaluation" of your set when it arrives. Are you going to try the "bungees" for the front rings?

Regards
Kim

Hi again,
I had another thought. About 6 months ago I got a "K" series wide angle for about £8 because it had "a lazy iris". I decided to have a go my self. Removed to 5 0r 6 screww on the back, cleaned to linkage of the excess oil and the lens worked perfectly. A 5 min job - well that bit was! I then spent about 2 hours trying to get the damn return spring back on correctly. As soon as I couls get one end on I couldn't hok the other end on without the first comming away. I eventually managed it and went to put it back together. It worked brilliantly, except it wouldn't stay on the set aperture. I then spent 3 hours searching the carpet for the tiny bal bearing which acts as a click stop. Found it put it in and that would have been the end but that spring came off again. Well practised now, it only took about 3/4 of an hour to get it on.

Still I had a very good lens for less than a tenner and I won't make tha mistake again. Use a well lit clean area and a large tray to catch the bits and be prepared for springy things to ping off in all directions!

Also on the subject of repairs, I have taken to replacing my own seals. I went to use my trusted KX and found the seals were soft. Everything else was still perfect. I found a guy in the States who sent me a superb seal kit with enough stuff for just about every camera you can think off and about 15 of them for less than $15 post paid and it arrived in 5 days.

I had thought to try (when I eventually get time) to put a section on the website covering repairs with links to spares, tools etc as well as repair people and perhaps "experiences". I have already got a list of useful articles on some repair jobs if you are interested. I just hope Mike Spencer isn't reading this!!

Regards
Kim

Hi Kim

An excellent idea for the website! I have trawled the net a few times now for articles on lens repair and it isn't well covered. I am proficient enough to write an article on how not to clean a lens. But, for all that I am at least getting more confident with every lens I break (I remind everyone that the lenses I operate on are uneconomical to send to a professional).

Anyway, the link to micro tools was a real break. I have got the spanner set and I have got the rubber bungs (I am not sure if this what you call 'bungees' or maybe it is the handi-grip below?) for removing the mostly plastic inner rings (the ones that often have the makers name and other info stamped into it). I have a few other items like the handi-grip too but I have hidden the catalogue now as it is too easy to order something else. It was almost incredible to find a company with so big a selection and be really good on delivery (they are based in Germany) so I recommend them. The spanner set is ok - I didn't buy the all-singing all-dancing one - it has so far done the job with ease.

You spent about 5hrs 50mins on that wide-angle lens then . And, you mentioning Michael Spencer... Do you think he will do correspondent courses by email? I would sign up for a term of lens cleaning and then I would take a term ot two in camera repair.

Regards
Simon

Hi Simon,

Glad Micro-Tools worked out OK for you. I know what you mean about the catalogue, mine is hidden away also. It is so tempting.

I think that the light seal supplier Kim mentions is another of my favourites, look up seller "interslice" on Ebay. These are superb kits with ample material to do several cameras. He has reduced his prices too since I last bought. In particular, the pre-cut seal strips are just magic, so easy to fit and work well. All my cameras are now re-sealed with this material.

The seller regularly contributes to the Yahoo camera repair forum that I am a member of also, so the kits have been worked out by someone who knows what they are doing.

That is a very good tip !

Ochtrup, only 10km from the place where I work.
I didn't know. Should visit them tommorow afternoon.

-Linus-

Hi Simon,
I have just found a super way to remove the fungus from a lens without the need for special spanners, bungees etc. Check this out for the technique http://www.hermes.net.au/bayling/repair.html


Yes the supplier I was talking about is Jon Goodman. If you are only doing Pentax bodies, it might be better to contact him direct. He does the various parts of his kits separately and all you really need for a Pentax body is his seal strips ($2.40/12) and perhaps some oem foam for mirror dampers. He does do the fabric seal for the body end but I haven't found the need to replace any of mine yet.

Regards
Kim

Wow, never imagined it could be that easy!

Thanks Kim

Crikey! I have that very same lens, an SMC Takumar 50mm f/1.4 - I must get a Geiger Counter so I can check its radioactivity levels. I often have blackouts when I use that lens.

I haven't seen those tools in the Micro Tools catalogue but I reckon the local B&Q might have some similar.

Also, I'm not a golfer but it looked like he had a good golf swing in picture A.

Regards
Simon

Battie,

I notice you are flogging a load of kit on Ebay at the moment. One item is the much maligned (and unfairly so) FAJ 18-35, which you describe as "for digital cameras".

You are doing yourself a dis-service by suggesting this. This lens is not a digital-only lens, and will work quite happily on any camera from the Super-A onwards.

It is not expensive, is quite sharp, and has superb flare resistance. It's not at all a bad choice if you want a light, economical, (semi) ultra wide-angle for walking around with.

G