Red One Mx: Lens stuck on camera!

[omar robles]

Hello group:

Today I was shooting something and I fear I tightened the lens on the camera too tightly and now its not allowing me to unmount it. It is locked rock solidly, to the point where i think i am going to have to use a wrench to try to loosen it. I fear damaging my camera and the lens (which is borrowed) Is there any tips you cana suggest to help me remove the lens safely?

 

[Tim Sutherland]

If it's a PL lens, remove the ear on the operator side of the camera, under it there is a set screw, loosen that and the lens mount will rotate again. Re mount lens, lock the mount, and re tighten the set screw to get the right amount of tension. Then put the ear back on.

Tim

 

[ericyoung]

What lens, what mount?

Try Tim's suggestion above first - although I'm pretty sure that set screw has nothing to do with mount tension, and is actually just a mechanical end stop for the PL ring.
Loosening/removing the set screw does allow the locking ring to rotate past its endstop which has solved the problem in the past when someone has put a PL mount lens on with the flanges rotated incorrectly (i.e. the cut out on the flange is not lined up with the key stud on in the PL lens mount).

Is it a large lens with a lens support on rods - sometimes the lens support, adjusted wrong, puts upward or downward tension on the mount.
If so, loosen the lens support and try again.

You could also try using a hairdryer to warm/cool the lens mount (cover/shield the lens) - avoid getting it too hot - certainly not hot enough to melt any plastic in the area!)

Also, consider using one of those rubber/plastic jam jar opening tools, or a non-chain type oil filter wrench - less damaging than a metal wrench.
oil filter wrench - Google Search

Next time, just use finger tight force plus a tiny bit more! And make sure your lens flange cutout lines up with the key stud in the mount.

 

[Robert Hart]

My guess goes along with Tim's suggestion.

The limit screw moves in a slot cut into the shoulder of the mount inside of the camping ring. If the clamp ring has been overtightened, the limit screw's smooth shouldered tip may have come against the end of the slot, slipped over the edge and dug in, or curled, slipped over the edge and dug in. A curled tip is the worst state as it is like a spear barb.

If the screw itself has gone really tight, don't force it because you may injure the screw head. Instead, work the movement of the PL-Mount clamping ring with hand pressure back and forth as you apply twist on the screw head with the screwdriver. Maybe work the sdcrew itself in clockwise and anticlockwise directions at the same time. If the tip of the screw has curled, then that may be the best chance of getting a half turn unscrewed just enough to release the clamp ring. Lots and lots of patient movements not strong force are needed for this issue.

I would avoid using heat on the PL-Mount clamp ring. Heat may travel to other sensitive pieces. If you do use any heat on the ring, please don't use too much. Make sure the lens body is not heated. If heat gets to the lens barrel, do NOT force cool it. Maybe wrap it with a dry flannel cloth or piece of dry towel so it does not cool fast. Shock cooling may crack the rear element of the lens.

On the topic of thermal shock to lens glass I hope the good gentlemen of Optitek or Duclos will chime in an make good any misinformation I may have conveyed.

 

[omar robles]

Thanks for advice i removed it with no damage.

 

[ericyoung]

Thanks for advice i removed it with no damage.

Which method did you use? :smile: