Successful Rokkor Lens Repair

<p>A short while back <em>I<a href="../classic-cameras-forum/00WS78"> posted here</a></em> about a used Minolta 58mm lens with stuck aperture blades. Thanks to the tips I received in this forum. and the purchase of an inexpensive lens spanner, I was able to disassemble the lens, carefully clean the aperture blades, and put the darn thing back together. It even works now! Not a big deal to some of you veteran camera guys, but I made a test roll and wanted to share the results of my success.</p><div></div>

<p>And I just had to get some pics of the kids to test it. I shot Fuji Superia 200 yesterday. Processed at Costco, scanned by me and an old Canonscan FS2710.</p><div></div>

<p>This is a great little park built by the W.P.A. in 1939 during the last Depression. A Natural spring runs through it and there are lots of stone walls, bridges and steps.</p><div></div>

<p>Later we decided to celebrate Dad's ingenious repair work at Steak N Shake. With a 58mm 1.4 and the bright SRT viewscreen the lens practically focuses itself.</p><div></div>

<p>I gave the camera to my 11 year old daughter to try out. Not bad for starters! She gets very serious when I let her use one of my old heavy cameras.</p><div></div>

<p>Later at home my daughter showed me a telescope she likes carrying around to look at things up close. Seems she wants a real telescope for the next birthday, and is fascinated by optics! I wonder where she gets that from? ;)</p><div></div>

<p>Great repair job and great photos. Thanks for posting.</p>

<p>I'm impressed.</p>

<p>Cute kids, too.</p>

<p>"Sitting on the Oak Tree" is beautiful; very creative use of the light throw and shade. It is your forte` so to say! Explore more of those. Thanks for the post. sp</p>

<p>Nice post <strong>Russ</strong>, and it's <em>so</em> satisfying when a simple repair brings a camera back to life. Great family pics; I like "exercise" and "fascinated". There's nothing quite as photogenic as a redhead!</p>

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<p>Congratulations on fixing the Rokkor!<br>

It appears to be in fine working condition now. Great shots.</p>

<p>I remember when I was a kid I loved playing with binoculars, magnifying glasses, periscopes and telescopes. I'm sure it has something to do with my interest in cameras now too.</p>

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<p>It's a great feeling to bring something back to life again isn't it.</p>

<p>Those are good shots, good job on the repair.</p>

<p>~Jack</p>

 

<p>Nice job on the repairs and nice shots as well. Where did you get your spanner? I have an Olympus 50 1.8 with the same problem that I would like to attempt to clean up.</p>

<p>Thanks Gentleman. SP, I will take your advice on my forte! Tom, I got the Spanner on The big auction site. The seller's name is "heavystar" and it only cost around $15 U.S. He has several sizes, but the 3/32 is most useful. It took me about 4 hours to take it apart carefully and clean with Radio Shack CRC Electronics Cleaner. I have a whole bunch of Exakta lenses with sluggish apertures I'm going to work on now. If anybody needs help or tips, please email me directly. Glad to help out!</p>

<p>Many Rokkors are pretty straightforward to repair, especially the normals. It's a great way to get into simple lens repair. Others are a tougher, but until you get to the wides or zooms, they're not monsters. The 58/1.4 is also the first Rokkor I repaired. Excellent pics, too.</p>