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Broken Lens- what to do with it?

Discussion in 'Open Discussion' started by Tecpatl4, Jan 31, 2011.

Top Rated
  1. Tecpatl4

    Tecpatl4 Mu-43 Veteran

    292
    Oct 16, 2010
    Midwest
    I was digging in a box of junk the other day and found my old Soligor 400mm lens with OM mount. The aperture ring has lost it's click, and the blades sometimes move and sometimes don't. There is oil on the blades and the spring just isn't strong enough to close them when the button/lever is pushed.

    I paid $75 for it back in 1985 on clearance, and it never was really very sharp. It's not really worth fixing. So the question is what do I do with it? It's a gigantic heavy lens and looks funny mounted on my E-P1.

    Any ideas what I could make from the barrel/hood parts? I thought about using the front element for a magnifying glass, but don't know what to do with the rest of it.
     
    Tecpatl4, Jan 31, 2011
    #1
  2. lenshoarder

    lenshoarder Mu-43 All-Pro

    1,324
    Nov 7, 2010
    It's definitely not worth pay to have someone else fix it. I picked up a couple at thrift stores for $20. On a Pen it's a 800mm lens. Use it for educational value. Try fixing it yourself. It just sounds like you have oil on the blades and lost the little BB for the ring click.
     
    lenshoarder, Jan 31, 2011
    #2
  3. Streetshooter

    Streetshooter Administrator Emeritus

    5,138
    Dec 15, 2009
    Phila, Pa USA
    Makes a fine ash tray...
     
    Streetshooter, Jan 31, 2011
    #3
  4. soundimageplus

    soundimageplus Mu-43 Top Veteran

    782
    Feb 2, 2010
    Worcestershire
    Heres an idea

    Heres an idea
     

    Attached Files:

    soundimageplus, Jan 31, 2011
    #4
    • Like Like x 1
  5. Kosta

    Kosta Mu-43 Veteran

    435
    Sep 29, 2010
    Australia
    just gotta clean the oil out first!
     
    Kosta, Jan 31, 2011
    #5
  6. Luckypenguin

    Luckypenguin .

    7,397
    Oct 9, 2010
    Brisbane, Australia
    Nic
    You might have a few leaks, though. Nothing a bit of silicone won't fix.
     
    Luckypenguin, Jan 31, 2011
    #6
  7. GaryAyala

    GaryAyala Mu-43 Legend

    6,564
    Jan 2, 2011
    SoCal
    Cheers!
     
    GaryAyala, Jan 31, 2011
    #7
  8. phigmov

    phigmov Mu-43 Hall of Famer Subscribing Member

    3,995
    Apr 4, 2010
    It would make a great pot-plant holder.

    Alternatively my juvinile side would want to -

    * Drop it from a tall building
    * Blow it up
    * Crush it
    * Burn it
     
    phigmov, Jan 31, 2011
    #8
  9. Luckypenguin

    Luckypenguin .

    7,397
    Oct 9, 2010
    Brisbane, Australia
    Nic
    Seriously though, the back of an OM mount is not that complex and they're fairly easy to put back together if you want try a bit of lens surgery. If the lens has the aperture ring at the back you'll be able to find if the spring loaded ball bearing in the aperture ring has gone awol. In some lenses you can also easily unscrew the rear lens unit which may also give you access to the diaphragm. If the alternative is to junk it or sell it for a pittance it might be fun for you to give it a go.
     
    Luckypenguin, Jan 31, 2011
    #9
  10. Streetshooter

    Streetshooter Administrator Emeritus

    5,138
    Dec 15, 2009
    Phila, Pa USA
    Hmmmmm.....nah my age is showing..

    Nic,.... How many times in a lifetime does one get to mess with a lens without fear of breaking it?
    He should take out all the frustrations lenses cause and enjoy it.
    In fact, he should ship it to members so they can join in ....
    Spread it around ... It would actually be therapeutic ...
     
    Streetshooter, Jan 31, 2011
    #10
  11. Luckypenguin

    Luckypenguin .

    7,397
    Oct 9, 2010
    Brisbane, Australia
    Nic
    My bad. Is that a vote for blowing it up then?
     
    Luckypenguin, Jan 31, 2011
    #11
  12. Grinch

    Grinch Mu-43 Top Veteran

    813
    Jan 9, 2011
    Canada
    Make an exhaust tip out of the housing?!?
     
    Grinch, Jan 31, 2011
    #12
  13. GaryAyala

    GaryAyala Mu-43 Legend

    6,564
    Jan 2, 2011
    SoCal
    I had an editor who would place an old broken Nikon on his desk. He'd accidentally push it off the desk to see the reaction. Just a suggestion.
     
    GaryAyala, Jan 31, 2011
    #13
  14. bilzmale

    bilzmale Mu-43 All-Pro

    1,743
    Mar 2, 2010
    Perth, Western Australia
    I'm with the DIY vote - have fun.
     
    bilzmale, Feb 1, 2011
    #14
  15. Tecpatl4

    Tecpatl4 Mu-43 Veteran

    292
    Oct 16, 2010
    Midwest

    Ooohh that sounds like fun. I could really mess with my friends on that one. I have taken the OM mount off, I don't have the spanner to go any further. Maybe I'll pick one up and have some fun next time we get a snowstorm.
     
    Tecpatl4, Feb 1, 2011
    #15
  16. russell

    russell Mu-43 Regular

    98
    Dec 28, 2010
    Victoria, Australia
    Sheesh, given how fashionable 'bokeh' is at present, you should be happy that the diaphragm doesn't shut down! Maybe just file a few notches and corners into the blades to give that bokeh extra special character and expression :tongue:
     
    russell, Feb 1, 2011
    #16
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