How to open a lens?


Status
Not open for further replies.

barracuda

Member
Jul 14, 2002
683
0
16
Singapore
www.fearstar.blogspot.com
got an old lens, already been badly infected by fungus liao, so wanna open it to take a look how the internal structure looks like, for curiosity sake. does anyone how to do that?
 

I had one too and I opened it sometime ago. It is still in a dismantled state and looks like its going into the trash soon.

My suggestion is don't try unless you are prepared to throw away.
 

swimaniac said:
I had one too and I opened it sometime ago. It is still in a dismantled state and looks like its going into the trash soon.

My suggestion is don't try unless you are prepared to throw away.

Oh, really? mine is a canon 28-80mm kit lens for my EOS 500N. how did u open it? I only found 2 screws in the front. Shall I start from there? And is it possible to take a pic of ur lens in the dismantled state? will be interesting to see how that looks like. thx.
 

I found two screws also. I managed to remove the rear casing and saw 3 more screws (I think). What happened next was when I removed the screw, the aperture blades collapsed completely and was all over the place within the enclosed barrel, Could not find a way to open the barrel. Tried prying it open and turning and twisting it but to no avail. Gave up after that.

Will try to dig the lens up from my rubbish keepsake box. By the way, the lens is a takumar 50mm 1.8
 

Last time I saw camera repair open and clean the lens. There are more than screwdriver needed to open the lens. Even they made tools themself. I don't know the name of the tools in English. They use their imagination on how to open the lens.

Regards,
Arto.
 

There are quite a few photography courses around, like B&W course, Studio Portraits course, Nude appreciation course.

Maybe, one day, someone could conduct a course on Lens CLA so that you learn how to clean, lubricate and adjust the lens yourself at home. :thumbsup: Only those with dextrous fingers are allowed to apply or else it is an utter waste of time. :nono:
 

Use a Vernier Caliper. It can be use as a lens wrench and open the front element. Like swimaniac said if you make a mistake prepare to throw it away.
 

I ever opened up my Canon 28-105 to clean a little spot. Need to be very careful of the circuits. What I did was snap photos of every step just in-case I forgoten which piece goes to where. need precision screwdriver set, tweezle, containers to keep the screws, a soft and clean padding to cussion the lens. You will also need the cleaning kits. I did not fully open it up, just up to the element that have the spot.

Be prepare for the worst.
 

<info deleted as thread too old>.

You can also go to sites by people like Rick Oleson, the camera-fix newsgroup at Yahoogroups, or kyphoto.com for help.
 

got an old lens, already been badly infected by fungus liao, so wanna open it to take a look how the internal structure looks like, for curiosity sake. does anyone how to do that?

use screwdriver and unscrew the screws? there should be screws screwed in on the lens. i think this is for most lenses unless it is built differently
 

use screwdriver and unscrew the screws? there should be screws screwed in on the lens. i think this is for most lenses unless it is built differently

Screws are least of your concern. Modern lens designs usually uses rings to secure the elements in place, and/or interlocking barrels. And there are certain steps to secure each part. Wrong screws at wrong step will usually cause more problems. Those cheapo lens cannot even be opened becos they molded and sealed; like my EF50 1.8. The screws are there to keep the electronic pins PCB in place.
 

Status
Not open for further replies.