Who are we?  Featured Cameras  Articles  Instruction Manuals  Repair Manuals  The Classic Camera Repair Forum  Books  View/Sign Guestbook

Nikkor Zoom lens problem Log in | Log Out | Topics | Search
Moderators | Register | Edit Profile

Classic Camera Repair » Archives-2008 » Nikkor Zoom lens problem « Previous Next »

Author Message
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Dick_s
Tinkerer
Username: Dick_s

Post Number: 1
Registered: 05-2008

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Posted on Wednesday, May 28, 2008 - 08:46 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

I just bought a Nikon F2 that came with a 43-86mm zoom lens. The lens was basically a throw in with the camera body. It is a pre-AI lens so it is probably 30-35years old, but looks like new. The problem is it seems frozen at 43mm. It is supposed to be a push pull zoom but wont budge off the shortest length. Everything functions beautifully except the zoom. I don't really need a 43mm f3.5 lens. Any ideas. I assume there are some gears inside that regulate the zoom function. Any help would be much appreciated.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Glenn
Tinkerer
Username: Glenn

Post Number: 364
Registered: 07-2006

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Posted on Thursday, May 29, 2008 - 04:42 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Know nothing about this lens, does it have some form of zoom lock? I know this is highly unlikely - but you never know. Most push/pull zooms use a 'cam' action - normally a couple of rollers working in two spiral slots. The rollers are on the inner zoom element holder and the slots are in a tube that fits around this circular holder. I suspect that the lube between the two moving barrels has solidified, thus jamming the action.

However I may be totally wrong, and somebody here will soon post the correct solution.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Scanogram
Tinkerer
Username: Scanogram

Post Number: 6
Registered: 04-2008

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Posted on Thursday, May 29, 2008 - 05:35 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Could be hidden damage from a drop also I've seen the screws come loose on the rollers Glenn mentioned. The screws got loose enough to jam the mechanism.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Dick_s
Tinkerer
Username: Dick_s

Post Number: 2
Registered: 05-2008

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Posted on Thursday, May 29, 2008 - 08:06 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Thanks. No lock that I can see or find refernce to in research. Its very tight on the push pull. I've exerted all the force I dare to without a budge. Yet the rest of the functions work very smoothly. Something just seems to be jammed.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Nickon51
Tinkerer
Username: Nickon51

Post Number: 2
Registered: 05-2008

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Posted on Thursday, May 29, 2008 - 08:09 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

I have they earliest version of this lens (the one with the writing on the inside of the filter ring). There is a small pin, threaded into the rear lens group, that engages a slot in a fixed bracket. I found this to be loose and jammed. If you remove the 3 mounting ring screws, and remove the lens mount, you will see if that is the problem or not.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Dick_s
Tinkerer
Username: Dick_s

Post Number: 3
Registered: 05-2008

Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Posted on Tuesday, June 24, 2008 - 06:18 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Thanks. I disassembled the rear of the lens as you mention. The screw you mention appeared to be okay, but after I removed the aperture ring and removed one mere internal ring (don't know what to call it), whatever was jammed freed up. I reassambled and everything sems to be working fine. Thanks much for the help!

Add Your Message Here
Post:
Bold text Italics Underline Create a hyperlink Insert a clipart image

Username: Posting Information:
This is a private posting area. Only registered users and moderators may post messages here.
Password:
Options: Enable HTML code in message
Automatically activate URLs in message
Action:

Topics | Last Day | Last Week | Tree View | Search | User List | Help/Instructions | Program Credits Administration