Just realized the old trick of using a tiny bit of lighter fluid on a stuck lens ring still works on a 1970s Nikon I fixed last week.

I was about to order a special tool for a frozen aperture ring on an F2, but my old mentor's voice popped into my head saying 'try a drop of Ronsonol on a cotton swab first, kid,' and after letting it sit for an hour, it turned smooth as butter. Anyone have a safer modern alternative they swear by for these old metal threads?

3 comments

3 Comments

taraanderson1mo ago

My local camera repair guy swears by a 50/50 mix of acetone and light machine oil. It breaks down the old grease without being too harsh on the metal. I've used it on a few old Pentax lenses with good results.

bennett.mason1mo ago

The old repair shop in my town went out of business after a batch of lenses came back with fogged elements. They were using a similar home mix. Acetone can attack certain plastics and cements over time, even if it seems fine at first. That mix is a gamble on vintage gear where you don't know all the materials. I'd only use cleaners made for the job.

the_faith1mo ago

Understand that mix works for some people, but I've cleaned dozens of lenses with just isopropyl alcohol and a tiny bit of lighter fluid on the aperture blades. It's cheap, easy to find, and I've never had a problem with fogging or damaged cement. The key is using very little and being careful with the application. I'd be too nervous to put acetone near my classic glass.