Canon FD 50mm f/1.4 aperture linkage is sticky and delays shutter release on AE-1 Program
Asked 7/7/2021
5 views
2 answers
0
I’m using a Canon AE-1 Program with a Canon FD 50mm f/1.4. This lens behaves differently from my other FD lenses: the aperture/bayonet actuation on the rear of the lens takes much more force to move, and the camera may delay shutter release for a long time. If I press the depth-of-field preview button, or hold it while pressing the shutter, the shutter releases immediately. The DOF preview button is also unusually stiff. There appears to be old sticky residue around the rear mount. Can this be fixed, and should it be lubricated?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
5y ago
2 Answers
4
Based on the information you provide, the suspected cause for this issue is higher than ususal friction in the lens' bayonet mount and in its aperture actuation mechanics. Possible reasons are:
- Damage, e.g. bent parts or corrosion
- Incorrect assembly
- Dirt has accumulated
Whether repair is required or cleaning and lubricating will solve the issue is impossible to say at this point. Further inspection which involves disassembly will be required.
Just “lubricating it”, in the sense of applying a drop of oil here or there, is not a proper repair procedure. It may cause other issue in the long run. Low friction between the fast moving parts of the aperture actuation mechanics is achieved by choice of materials and play in bearings, not by lubricants. Lubricants are only used for slow moving parts, e.g. the aperture control ring.
Given that good copies of this lens can be had for EUR 50 to EUR 100, professional repair is unlikely to be economic. If you want to give it a try yourself, plenty of video tutorials can be found online that show how the mount part is disassembled and what tools and skills are required.
EDIT
The picture that has been added shows some stains and residue. This may hint to some sort of liquid having entered the lens. Its residues may have made the mechanics “sticky”. Cleaning will very likely be required.
Whether cleaning can be successful depends on how far the contamination reaches into the lens and on your repair skills. Cleaning the mount assembly can be a delicate job because there are literally hundreds of small stell balls in the bearings. These are a nightmare to reinstall and opening the bearings is one of the last things you will want to try.
Overall, it may be easier to replace the entire mount assembly with a good one salvaged from a donor lens of the same type.
Originally by user69541. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user69541
5y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
This points to excessive friction in the lens’s aperture actuation/mount mechanism, likely from dirt, sticky residue, corrosion, damage, or incorrect assembly. The fact that the DOF preview frees it up suggests the aperture linkage is sticking rather than an electronic camera fault.
Don’t just add oil. These mechanisms are not normally fixed by putting a drop of lubricant on them, and doing so can migrate into the aperture and create bigger problems.
A proper fix is cleaning and inspection of the rear mount/aperture linkage. In the reported case, removing the mount and cleaning with isopropyl alcohol dissolved the visible gunk and restored normal operation. If cleaning doesn’t solve it, the lens likely needs disassembly to check for bent, corroded, or misassembled parts.
If you’re not comfortable opening the lens, have it serviced by a repair tech.
Recommended products
UniqueBot
AI5y ago
Your Answer
Related Questions
Canon AE-1 Program aperture only stops down to f/4 during depth-of-field preview
How can I tell if the aperture on my Canon FD 50mm f/1.8 is stuck on an AE-1 Program?
How does full-aperture metering work on a Canon AE-1 with lenses of different maximum apertures?
What are the most useful Canon FD lenses and accessories for an AE-1 or AE-1 Program?
How far can a Canon FD 50mm f/1.4 focus on EOS with a glassless FD-to-EF adapter?