'Lubricating' a lenshood bayonet mount?

[Box Brownie]

I have read of using a pencil for doing this for years but until now have never found the need to do so.

However, my LH-76 hood on my Olympus 40-150mm f2.8 binds badly...... NB this is not the LH-76D that comes with the lens but a 'standard' alternative made by Olympus/OM Systems.

So, will an HB pencil suffice or should i get another in the softer 'B' range?

Also, once applied do you lightly wipe the surfaces to remove any excess ?

TIA

 

[Nod]

I had a hood that was prone to sticking and I used a hint of a drop of a silicon lubricant spray, applied with a toothpick to the bulgy bits of the hood (technical term!) I left it to dry for a while and it never stuck again.

 

[GetBusyLiving]

I'd be very wary of putting tiny, tiny pieces of electrically conductive dust near my camera equipment which is what you will be doing if you use a pencil, of any hardness, on your lens hood.

As Nod says, a bit of silicon spray or silicon grease might make for a safer solution.

 

[Box Brownie]

I had a hood that was prone to sticking and I used a hint of a drop of a silicon lubricant spray, applied with a toothpick to the bulgy bits of the hood (technical term!) I left it to dry for a while and it never stuck again.

Interesting that you mention 'silicone' product.....IIRC 'they' recommended using a smear of silicone furniture polish on curtain rails to reduce sticking. But in the case of that specific product, furniture polish, I would never use that for the above requirement.

So, a good thought when used, as you have done, in a very careful and controlled manner

 

[Box Brownie]

I'd be very wary of putting tiny, tiny pieces of electrically conductive dust near my camera equipment which is what you will be doing if you use a pencil, of any hardness, on your lens hood.

As Nod says, a bit of silicon spray or silicon grease might make for a safer solution.

I was typing as you posted......a valid point re: graphite and it's other "uses" and your post reminded me of back in the day using a pencil to create arcing on the 22kv line on the old b&w TV CRT.......it made microscopic but visible to the eye holes in the wooden pencil sheathing.....oh the fun we had back then

 

[Nod]

Interesting that you mention 'silicone' product.....IIRC 'they' recommended using a smear of silicone furniture polish on curtain rails to reduce sticking. But in the case of that specific product, furniture polish, I would never use that for the above requirement.

So, a good thought when used, as you have done, in a very careful and controlled manner

Mr Sheen polish is useful for curtain rails - again, a little goes a long way (spray it on a cloth and wipe the cloth along the rail) - but for the hood mount, I used a silicon lubricant spray. I squirted a little bit into the lid and used a tooth pick/cocktail stick to put a tiny dab onto the contact points. I do use pencil graphite on filter threads - again, a tiny amount (and I use a 4B that Mrs Nod had for sketching when she had the time!)

 

[CharleyL]

Silicone is not a good choice, because it migrates everywhere, to places that you don't want it, like your lens glass, etc. Maybe a carnauba wax would work for the lubrication that you need. At least it stays where you put it and can be removed with alcohol.

Charley

 

[ecoleman]

I doubt very much that graphite is going to cause any problems with electronics, at least not unless you're a complete idiot and pour it all over the camera.

An alternative to silicone would be Dry PTFE.

 

[Nod]

Silicone is not a good choice, because it migrates everywhere, to places that you don't want it, like your lens glass, etc. Maybe a carnauba wax would work for the lubrication that you need. At least it stays where you put it and can be removed with alcohol.

Charley

Silicone would indeed be a very poor choice... The tiny amount of silicon (no "e") I suggested isn't even enough to wet the surface, just moisten it and leave enough to act as a lubricant, let alone migrate to the surface of the lens.

 

[Erty]

I have a Sigma hood that was a pain to get on and off. It uses to lock on. I took a file to the knobble on the lens that made it click into place. Now it doesn't stick- but I overdid it a bit and it doesn't lock either. Not a huge problem.

 

[Toony]

A bit of candle wax. Not melted but a light rub. Liquid lubricants tend to hold particles like grit and then act like grinding paste.