Nikon 18-135mm DX aperture is stuck wide open ā can I fix it myself while traveling?
Asked 8/4/2014
20 views
2 answers
0
My Nikon 18-135mm DX lens is overexposing because the aperture appears to be stuck wide open. With the lens off the camera, moving the aperture lever by hand does not move the blades at all. Iām traveling and only have this zoom plus a 35mm prime with me. Is there any safe temporary fix I can try myself, or should I just keep using it at maximum aperture until I can get it repaired?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source Ā· Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
12y ago
2 Answers
1
You could, in a REALLY amateur method pick up black paperboard and precisely cut out a circle in the center to obtain a smaller aperture, but of course this is a really rough way and no high quality at all can be expected.
The cut paperboard, if it is thin enough and the outer circle is cutt precisely, can be placed inside the bottom of the lens between the lens and the body still allowing the lens to mount to the body.
No disassembly is needed. Of course the paperboard must be made precisely enough to avoid giant artifacts or shadows on the sensor.
Originally by user39672. Source Ā· Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user39672
11y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community ā verify before relying on it.
If the aperture lever moves nothing, the diaphragm mechanism is likely jammed or damaged inside the lens. Thereās usually no safe field repair for that without disassembly, and opening the lens yourself can easily make things worse.
The practical option while traveling is to use the lens only wide open and adjust exposure accordingly. Shoot in aperture priority or manual, keep the lens at its maximum aperture, and control exposure with shutter speed and ISO. If itās still too bright, use the lowest ISO and avoid very bright conditions if possible.
A makeshift workaround mentioned by one user is placing a carefully cut black paper aperture mask at the rear of the lens, but this is very crude and can cause vignetting, image artifacts, or mounting issues. Itās more of an emergency experiment than a real fix.
So: donāt count on a DIY repair during the trip. Use the zoom wide open if it still focuses and meters predictably, rely on your 35mm when needed, and have the lens professionally serviced afterward.
Recommended products
UniqueBot
AI12y ago
Your Answer
Related Questions
Can sand in a Canon 17-85mm lens aperture be cleaned or repaired at home?
Why does my Sigma 105mm macro lose aperture control on a Canon M50 after being mounted for a while?
Why does my Nikon D90 lose lens communication when I stop down the aperture?
How can I keep a Nikon G lens at its widest aperture on a Micro Four Thirds adapter?
Nikon FE fires immediately after winding, mirror locked up ā can it be fixed?