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  • Hey all, just changed over the backend after 15 years I figured time to give it a bit of an update, its probably gonna be a bit weird for most of you and i am sure there is a few bugs to work out but it should kinda work the same as before... hopefully :)

declick your zeiss zf

S

Shane Kelly

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This is on a zeiss zf 100mm which is slightly different than the other lenses but the principle is the same. I take no responsibility for your actions, I'm not a lens tech but if you feel like being adventurous then go for it.
Get the best jeweler's screwdriver that you can afford.
Save the ball- bearing if you want to return to a clicked lens.
The grease I used is a silicon grease that plumbers use. I recommend researching the proper grease to use in order to dampen the iris ring.

Have fun.
Shane.
100mma.jpg

100b.jpg

100c.jpg
 
I'll defer to a lens tech if there is one out there, but who told you to use a silicone based lubricant? I have always been told over the past 20 years to never use silicon anywhere near a lens because if it gets on the elements it is nightmare and a half to remove.

Ducloses and Rabins please jump in and tell us what the deal is.

Nick
 
Nick,
I agree with you - ask a tech, but some people have asked me to post what I did so here it is. The grease is only to make the iris collar a little stiffer, I would welcome suggestions on an alternative.
You don't have to use the grease if you don't want.
Shane.
 
Yeah, didn't mean to jump on you, I just saw 100s of people putting a potentially bad lubricant (which also migrates) onto lenses and thought we should hear from some one in the know.

Thanks for posting the process.

Nick
 
Thanks Shane!

I just declicked my 35mm, no problem. It does look like silicon inside there, but I could be wrong. I'm tempted to make my iris collar stiffer than it is.
 
Michael,
I looked inside my nikon85/1.4 but saw a spring in there and decided not to go any further. My instructions relate to the zeiss zf line only. If I had an old nikon to practice on I'd not be worried but the 85 is a lens that I use constantly and I can't afford to f it up.
 
I wouldn't recommend using cheap lubricant. The LAST thing you want is a lubricant to lighten and begin to seep onto your iris blades. This was very common with the lubricants that Russian lenses used. Go ahead and try those lubricants but be careful.. I wouldn't use them...

That Zeiss ZF lens you used as an example is a very easy lens to remove the click stop. Other Nikons aren't as simple. Most Nikons use a spring loaded panel that presses against a notch. Not always easy to get to.
 
If there is a little spring in the hole where that ball is be sure to remove it also. You don't want it to work its way out and score or jam up against the aperture control ring.
 
I just removed that spring from my AIs 35mm and 50mm without issue. Simply remove the back mounting flange, shift the focus ring towards the back of the lens slightly without removing it, and remove the two bolts holding the spring. The focus is now de-clicked. Now, to give it some tension with a lubricant...

My other lenses have various issues (slightly stripped bolts, etc.) for which I will take them to Precision Camera for servicing.

Michael

Michael
 
rgdfilmsRED said:
Matthew, do you have a brand of lube that you could recommend?
Click to expand...

It really depends on the lens. For a nikon or canon iris, the viscosity isn't too important. What you need to pay attention to is quality. I've seen many, many lenses with oil on the iris blades that has leaked from housings and mechanics. Once this happens, its only a matter of time before the lubricant starts to condensate on the nearest glass elements. We only use grease direct from Zeiss and Angenieux, (Germany and France, respectively) that have been extensively tested and are catered to each lens and component.
 
chuck colburn said:
If there is a little spring in the hole where that ball is be sure to remove it also. You don't want it to work its way out and score or jam up against the aperture control ring.
Click to expand...

Chuck, you're right. Looks like I have to go back and remove the spring.
Matthew, thanks for the advice.
 
Sorry to resurrect an old thread. I'm thinking of declicking a couple of a couple of Zeiss ZF lenses. I found this thread, but the pics are missing. Anyone one have a tutorial or pics on how to do this? Plus, info on what type of grease is needed?
 
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