stiff lens

I was planning to use my SMC-A 50mm f1.4 today. I found, however, that the focusing has gone extremely stiff. The aperture ring is fine, and blades shut down etc. OK but the focus is almost jammed. Any idea what may have caused it and if it is fixable?

Not having much luck with lenses at the moment

Thanks, Kris.

You're not the only one ! My 200mm f4 SMC Takumar is also so stiff I need two hands to wrench the focus ring round -- it's been like that for years. In the summer sometimes I leave it out in the hot sun -if there IS any to loosen the lubricant.

sounds like the grease is solidifying.

Best to take it to a classic camera shop, and get them to service the lens. It will cost but will be worth it. It will be like a new lens.

Sounds like a job for Robin at Harrow Technical....

Kris, this is a relatively easy strip down and reassemble job. The same thing happened to my SMC-A 50mm f1.4. No specialist lens tools required just a couple of good quality watchmakers screwdrivers.

If you feel inclined to give it a go, send me a pm and I will have a go at writing a disassemby/reassembly guide

Regards - Steve

Before you try anything else...

Hold it under a hairdryer for a couple of minutes and let it get hot to the touch, then just turn the focus ring back and forward a few times to loosen it up - that will often do the trick and requires *no* skills whatsoever (other than the ability not to drop a hot lump of metal and glass - I use an oven glove to get round that bit).