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Shrenaud
Tinkerer
Username: Shrenaud
Post Number: 1
Registered: 12-2009
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, December 22, 2009 - 02:04 pm: | 
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Perhaps someone in this group can suggest how to replace 30-year old rubber focusing grips. My old Nikkor 28mm F2.8 lens needs a new focusing grip. Nikon Canada no longer carries the part. Any suggestions? |
Tom_cheshire
Tinkerer
Username: Tom_cheshire
Post Number: 226
Registered: 04-2009
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, December 22, 2009 - 05:21 pm: |
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Ok, option one is to buy a messed up zoom lens with a big focusing grip and use that. The rubber can be pried up on an edge and then rolled off like a sock. Cut to size and put on the good lens. If the diameters are different then cut out a thin segment. Contact cement glues it on if need be. Match the edges properly and nobody will ever notice.
Option two is replacement with a properly sized wrap of leather or vinyl. Sources of leather and vinyl are purses, wallets and binders if you don't simply buy it from Tandy Leather. |
Shrenaud
Tinkerer
Username: Shrenaud
Post Number: 2
Registered: 12-2009
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, December 22, 2009 - 10:12 pm: |
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Thanks Tom. I appreciate the suggestion. It's the best so far. Given all the fine older lenses out there - I'm surprised there isn't a replacement product readily on the market. I've emailed several repair shops with little to no success. They appear to have no replacement parts or ideas. It's a shame. |
Paul_ron
Tinkerer
Username: Paul_ron
Post Number: 178
Registered: 07-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, December 25, 2009 - 12:27 pm: |
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There is a neprin self stick light seal that makes a good grip material. If you need a strip, e-mail me your address with the width n length, I'll gladly send it to you.
[email protected] |
David_nebenzahl
Tinkerer
Username: David_nebenzahl
Post Number: 21
Registered: 12-2009
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, December 26, 2009 - 01:56 pm: |
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Do you mean "neoprene"? Never heard of "neprin". (Sounds like some kind of drug ...) |
Paul_ron
Tinkerer
Username: Paul_ron
Post Number: 180
Registered: 07-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, December 27, 2009 - 05:33 pm: |
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hahahahah neoprene.
Sometimes I type so fast, everything comes out wrong. What can you expect form 2 fingers?
I see you got what I meant anyway. |
Glenn
Tinkerer
Username: Glenn
Post Number: 734
Registered: 07-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, January 05, 2010 - 09:22 am: |
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If you find the right supply outlet - here in UK it will be 'Hoover' and Washing Machine repair shops - look at their catalogue of internally 'toothed' rubber drive belts. The belts needed are the solid rubber, non-reinforced type that are normally used in vac cleaners or similar low power drive situations. If you turn the correct diameter belt 'inside out' you will have a nice ridged circular grip. Depending on the width of the original grip, you may have to slip a number of belts onto the lens barrel, cutting the width down on the last one, if required, to completely fill the recess in the lens ring. If you choose the correct diameter you do not even have to use an adhesive. A combination of toothed and smooth belts produces a very OEM looking grip on a large tele or zoom lens.
I have used these belts to provide extra grip on some of my larger diameter lenses - cold weather and small aging hands are not conducive to a firm and secure feeling grip. Still shouldn't complain, I can still carry the buggers about and use them! |
Paul_ron
Tinkerer
Username: Paul_ron
Post Number: 184
Registered: 07-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, January 06, 2010 - 03:55 pm: |
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Nice solution, I like that grip style too. I'll see if I can find these. |
Tom_cheshire
Tinkerer
Username: Tom_cheshire
Post Number: 231
Registered: 04-2009
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, January 06, 2010 - 06:07 pm: |
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After reading that suggestion, I suddenly had the urge to customize a lens with a spiked dog collar like guard dogs wear. Impractical, for sure, but it would look cool.  |
Glenn
Tinkerer
Username: Glenn
Post Number: 736
Registered: 07-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, January 07, 2010 - 08:01 am: |
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Do that on a 'long' lens, and in the present 'anti taking photographs in public places' police attitude prevalent here in the UK, you are likely not only loose your kit but a few years of your freedom also! I can just see the charge sheet - going equipped with a deadly weapon to commit the heinous crime of exposing silver halides to light in a public place, and God help you if there is anybody under the age of 21 in any of the images! |
Adrian
Tinkerer
Username: Adrian
Post Number: 270
Registered: 08-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, January 07, 2010 - 10:03 am: |
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You mean... like a goth version of (note - you may wish to don sunglasses, and viewers of a sensitive nature should look away NOW) this?
http://www.merrillphoto.com/galacollection/GalaF3b.jpg
(Marcy Merrill can be very funny, but she ain't coming anywhere near my cameras!)
Adrian |
Paul_ron
Tinkerer
Username: Paul_ron
Post Number: 185
Registered: 07-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, January 11, 2010 - 02:23 pm: |
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That is great! |
