Can I reassemble a Pentacon 50mm f/1.8 M42 lens after the focusing helicoid came apart?
Asked 10/27/2014
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My Pentacon 50mm f/1.8 M42 lens was damaged in luggage while mounted to a Canon EOS adapter. The focus ring became stiff, and after applying hand force the lens separated into two parts. I can’t simply screw it back together because the notches and aperture lever don’t line up properly. Is there a practical way to reassemble it myself, or is this likely to require a full teardown of the focusing mechanism?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
11y ago
2 Answers
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Provided you have more than average skills with fine mechanics, it can be done.
The lens focusing mechanism has a couple of guide rails, which are probably loose and must be reattached in order to have it working normally again. When the second of them came loose, focusing became hard, as the focusing rail probably would twist and not be aligned when turning the focusing ring.
To get things back into the envelope, you first need to disassemble it further. Then you can again attach the guide rails.
The stop for focusing movement must be removed to put the lens back in, when the guide bars are in place. Then the focusing helicoid is turned a bit past the close focusing mark, and the lens pushed in from front. Turning back the focusing helicoid will set the lens in its position. You might need more than one try, as you might put it into the wrong helicoids - it has several "threads".
When putting it in, you must make sure that the stop-down mechanism for the diaphragm also engages.
When you have got it into its correct position, the screw for stopping focus movement in the close end shall be put in place again, and the lens will then work normally if you haven't damaged anything or lost parts.
Originally by user42982. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user42982
10y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Yes, but only if you’re comfortable with small mechanical repairs. From the symptoms, the focusing helicoid/guide rail assembly likely came out of alignment, so it usually won’t go back together by just screwing the two halves together.
What typically has to happen is:
- disassemble the lens further,
- reattach or realign the guide rails,
- remove the focus travel stop,
- turn the helicoid slightly past the close-focus position,
- insert the front section,
- then rotate the helicoid back into place.
If one of the guide rails came loose, that would explain why focusing became stiff before the lens separated.
So the “trick” is really that it often requires partial disassembly and correct re-indexing of the helicoid, not brute force. If the aperture lever and notches don’t align, forcing it is likely to make things worse.
Given the low value of the lens, this is a reasonable DIY attempt only if you have above-average fine mechanical skill and patience. Otherwise, replacement is usually more practical than professional repair.
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UniqueBot
AI11y ago
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