Lazy iris, what to do?

[ChrisR]

I have a very nice manual film lens, which for the 3rd time is showing symptoms of lazy iris, slow aperture, whatever. It's quite an expensive lens (goes for £200 or so), so I don't want to just abandon it. I think I can use it until I work out a solution, by pressing the depth of field preview lever before firing the shutter (should close the aperture in advance), but I'm not sure I've got enough working fingers to do it!

In terms of solutions, I've come up with these:

a) get it CLAd each year or so indefinitely

b) get it CLAd now and sell immediately

c) put it up on fleabay for sale now with the fault written up (I'm discounting the option of putting it up for sale and forgetting to mention the fault!)

d) offer it to ffordes with the fault described, as trade in for something I want (like a Pentax LX).

Any other options, or thoughts on these?

(I was advised on here to send it back for a full refund when I got it, but I opted instead for a partial refund and CLA. I'm regretting that now!)

 

[simon ess]

I would compare the cost of CLA + purchase price to the £200 or so.

If not too much more, I'd keep it.

If a lot more, I'd see what deal ffordes would offer.

If unacceptable, take the risk on e-bay and put down to experience.

That's my take on it anyway.

 

[stevelmx5]

Have you spoken to whoever did the previous CLA? If it's been done properly I would t expect the blades to stick every year. What lens is it?

 

[srichards]

How much would someone like miles charge to sort it? I'd assume once he'd fixed it it would stay fixed?

Is it possible it's a bit lazy because it isn't used enough and changing the aperture and using it a lot might free it up?

 

[kendo1]

Some lenses do become a bit stiff through lack of use.

A proper CLA should last 30 years... some of my lenses are 40 to 50 years old and have not had (or needed) a service.

 

[excalibur2]

H'mm tricky one........if the blades are cleaned properly they shouldn't stick again. You could put the lens as it is on ebay with a BIN price and it could sell (for a decent price) as there are quite a few guys that can strip a lens and clean the blades and would get the lens cheaper than if in working condition

 

[ChrisR]

The CLA was done by Miles, and he's already re-done it once for nothing. I sent it first in March 2013, got it back in April, and it had failed again by May. I think I also got Cameratiks in Edinburgh to CLA it, probably 2014, but there's no easy way to find that receipt. Clearly it's a stubborn case!

I did manage to ease it a bit today after 5 minutes or so of working the diaphragm, but it merely went from molasses to just slow!

 

[srichards]

Can you replace the iris mechanism?

I'd probably stick it on eBay with the fault listed and get something else.

 

[Cannyekerslike]

Well it should stay ok after a service, I have had a few done by Newton Ellis in Liverpool, older lenses going back to the seventies and earlier and they are still going strong. If it is a good lens and it sounds as though it is, I would try one more time and give the people you send it to a full history of you problems with it. Maybe an asembly problem?

 

[freecom2]

What lens is it? (i.e. is it a lens that has a reputation for slow irises?)

Very odd that it's still continuing to be slow after multiple CLAs. It's not a special lens in any way - one that requires a different lubricating oil?

 

[pentaxpete]

I have a Praktica MTL3 + 50mm f1.8 Pentacon and now that has a 'Lazy Iris' whereas it was working OK for a long time before -- maybe i should just 'exercise' it while drinking my afternoon cup of tea ---
Praktica MTL3 by Peter Elgar, on Flickr

 

[ChrisR]

As far as I know it's a perfectly normal lens, one of the Pentax-M range.

Option (d) isn't panning out... they made me an offer but it's derisory (well, that's how it feels; I'm sure it makes business sense for them, given how I described it!). I think I'll get back in touch with Miles, and ask his advice.

 

[excalibur2]

As far as I know it's a perfectly normal lens, one of the Pentax-M range.

Option (d) isn't panning out... they made me an offer but it's derisory (well, that's how it feels; I'm sure it makes business sense for them, given how I described it!). I think I'll get back in touch with Miles, and ask his advice.

Chris...How long did Miles take to do your lens before? He has had my lens since Feb 6th and got the go ahead to repair it on Feb 26. H'mm the more we recommend him the more he gets overloaded with work

 

[ChrisR]

Chris...How long did Miles take to do your lens before? He has had my lens since Feb 6th and got the go ahead to repair it on Feb 26. H'mm the more we recommend him the more he gets overloaded with work

My parcel arrived on 26 March 2013 and he posted it back on 11 April (that year ). Second go round it took a bit longer. I think you should email him and ask what the state is; he may be waiting for a part, perhaps.

 

[excalibur2]

My parcel arrived on 26 March 2013 and he posted it back on 11 April (that year ). Second go round it took a bit longer. I think you should email him and ask what the state is; he may be waiting for a part, perhaps.

H'mm I suppose his skill at paper work (i.e. keeping the customer informed) doesn't match his skill repairing gear...I'll wait till two months is up and email him.

 

[RaglanSurf]

Chris...How long did Miles take to do your lens before? He has had my lens since Feb 6th and got the go ahead to repair it on Feb 26. H'mm the more we recommend him the more he gets overloaded with work

H'mm I suppose his skill at paper work (i.e. keeping the customer informed) doesn't match his skill repairing gear...I'll wait till two months is up and email him.

Miles will prioritise his 'pro' work and will bump down the 'amateur' customer but if you tell him that you need it by a particular date or that you're in a hurry he will always try and oblige. Also to be fair I don't think anybody has recommended him on the basis of his communication skills but If you email him he will invariably reply the same day, that's reasonable communication for a OMB in my opinion.

TBH It's not a problem for me as I usually collect my cameras from him when I head down to Kent so will get in contact a couple of weeks before to let him know and ask if he has any of my cameras/lenses ready to collect.

 

[excalibur2]

Miles will prioritise his 'pro' work and will bump down the 'amateur' customer but if you tell him that you need it by a particular date or that you're in a hurry he will always try and oblige. Also to be fair I don't think anybody has recommended him on the basis of his communication skills but If you email him he will invariably reply the same day, that's reasonable communication for a OMB in my opinion.

TBH It's not a problem for me as I usually collect my cameras from him when I head down to Kent so will get in contact a couple of weeks before to let him know and ask if he has any of my cameras/lenses ready to collect.

That all sounds logical i.e. pros come first esp if he has big customers like shops...I'm not relying on the lens for use ATM and I suppose I can wait another month (which makes 3 months) before emailing him as I would like it for summer and Autumn

 

[RaglanSurf]

That all sounds logical i.e. pros come first esp if he has big customers like shops...I'm not relying on the lens for use ATM and I suppose I can wait another month (which makes 3 months) before emailing him as I would like it for summer and Autumn

Just give him a heads up Brian, a quick email to tell him when you need it for is all it takes. If you want if for July let him know then it will be higher on his list of priorities.

 

[excalibur2]

Just give him a heads up Brian, a quick email to tell him when you need it for is all it takes. If you want if for July let him know then it will be higher on his list of priorities.

Good thinking Nick...the last time I had a lens done was about 20 years ago, also had my Rollei SL66 fixed for shutter speeds at the same place and was Axco in Finchley..very quick and also was impressed with their workshop\clean room...but they went out of business about 7 years ago.

 

[Asha]

Basically what Nick has said, puts it in a nutshell.

The LF shutter i sent him for a service at about the same time as you sent your lens Brian @excalibur2 was dispatched back to me by Miles within 3 weeks of him receiving it, but that was a straight forward CLA.

Wasn't the work on your lens quite complicated iirc....the lens glass having to be seperated which was going to require time for the "glue dissolver" to work.

If I'm correct with that, then, Miles probably has your lens glass pickled in a jar on a shelf , and is unable to proceed further until the lens seperate.

Drop him a line and ask how it's progressing.....he doesn't bite!

 

[excalibur2]

Basically what Nick has said, puts it in a nutshell.

The LF shutter i sent him for a service at about the same time as you sent your lens Brian @excalibur2 was dispatched back to me by Miles within 3 weeks of him receiving it, but that was a straight forward CLA.

Wasn't the work on your lens quite complicated iirc....the lens glass having to be seperated which was going to require time for the "glue dissolver" to work.

If I'm correct with that, then, Miles probably has your lens glass pickled in a jar on a shelf , and is unable to proceed further until the lens seperate.

Drop him a line and ask how it's progressing.....he doesn't bite!

Well in one way I don't want to push him (no news is good news ) as it's a risk job in that in straightning the lens housing (or whatever) it could fracture and he won't be able to assemble it again......I don't blame him in not being excited to do the job, but on reflection I'll send him an email and tell him I'm going on holidays in June and would it be ready.
edit: email sent
edit2: got a reply in 5 mins..."Will get to it next week."

 

[ChrisR]

So, Miles replied:

This lens should not suffer from continuing aperture problems, if it is oil on the iris blades then it can only really come from the grease in the focus helicoid, if it sits in the sun for long periods then that may cause the grease to migrate from where it should be, very occasionally in the past I have come across a lens that has a porous casting and that holds oil that eventually reaches the iris blades, if you want to get it to me then I can examine and advise.

This begins to make sense as lenses not being used often sit on my desk which sometimes gets the morning sun, and warms up quite a bit. Anyway, it will be off to hospital tomorrow, assuming I can get it securely packed and to the PO in time.

EDIT: this is adding some urgency to my plan to tidy up the camera kit storage, although the motivation to put the lenses in drawers has been lessened by someone in another thread suggesting that lenses in the dark are more likely to develop fungus! I'm assuming that's in a damp atmosphere, and also likely to be lessened by opening the drawer frequently to take out some new lenses...

 

[kendo1]

So, Miles replied:



This begins to make sense as lenses not being used often sit on my desk which sometimes gets the morning sun, and warms up quite a bit. Anyway, it will be off to hospital tomorrow, assuming I can get it securely packed and to the PO in time.

EDIT: this is adding some urgency to my plan to tidy up the camera kit storage, although the motivation to put the lenses in drawers has been lessened by someone in another thread suggesting that lenses in the dark are more likely to develop fungus! I'm assuming that's in a damp atmosphere, and also likely to be lessened by opening the drawer frequently to take out some new lenses...

Just put some silica gel packs in too.

 

[donut]

So, Miles replied:



This begins to make sense as lenses not being used often sit on my desk which sometimes gets the morning sun, and warms up quite a bit. Anyway, it will be off to hospital tomorrow, assuming I can get it securely packed and to the PO in time.

QUOTE]

hope everythings alright Chris.

 

[ChrisR]

... Anyway, it will be off to hospital tomorrow, assuming I can get it securely packed and to the PO in time.

Miles has now had a look at it:

"Have found that the blades are clean but it was one of the rings that drive the blades that had a tiny amount of oil causing a drag effect, have degreased it and everything else apart from the focusing!"

Very reasonable price, too. Should have it back by the end of the week (except we might be away ).

 

[excalibur2]

Miles has now had a look at it:

"Have found that the blades are clean but it was one of the rings that drive the blades that had a tiny amount of oil causing a drag effect, have degreased it and everything else apart from the focusing!"

Very reasonable price, too. Should have it back by the end of the week (except we might be away ).

Those old lenses where you can select auto or manual are useful...my Pentax 55mm f1.8 auto tak has developed a lazy iris in the last few years, but can't complain as I bought it in 1960. When I'm in the mood I just unscrew one element and use lighter fluid on a cotton bud on the blades...works great for erm a while

 

[abdoujaparov]

We never did find out who Lazy Iris was.