Lens Repair & Review Articles

Lens Repair Articles:

Here’s the core the entire site. I intend to have the most comprehensive database for everything related to the repair of classic Nikkors. As of today, I believe that this site is the only one of its kind and I currently have the most number of articles on this subject. I made all these to prevent people from making mistakes while fixing their own lenses. The articles contain a brief history of the highlighted lens and lots of photos taken using it. I update these occasionally, please visit the facebook page called Classic Nikon Maintenance to see if there are anything new.

1-21mm:

22-35mm:

36-49mm:

50mm:

51-85mm:

86-135mm:

136mm~:

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Maintaining this blog requires money to operate. If you think that this site has helped you or you want to show your support by helping with the site’s upkeep, you can make a small donation to my paypal.com (richardHaw888@gmail.com). Money is not my prime motivation for this and I believe that I have enough to run this but you can help me make this site (and the companion facebook page) grow.

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79 Comments (+add yours?)

  1. Sean R
    Oct 23, 2016 @ 12:33:36

    Dear Richard
    Greetings fromSingapore. Fantastic content.

    Your website has helped me make some repairs and cleaning of my AI Nikkor lenses. I have switched since last year to all AiS lenses.
    I have one 50mm non-Ai Lenses (plan to convert Really soon); One 50mm f1.4 Ais; And one 24 to 70mm f3.5 – 5.6 AiS.

    This has also helped me to improve more on my photography Techniques. Previously relaying on all the modern Nikkor lenses, the auto focus and other features has made me lazy and lose the basics of what really photography is about -“the art of composition through light and shadow”

    Since going back to the beautiful and manual simplicity of AiS lenses, I have improved more on my skills and look forward to learning more.
    Your website has helped me in the care and maintainance of these wonderful lenses.

    Thank you very much
    Look forward to more from you

    Best regards Sean R.

    Reply

    • richardhaw
      Oct 23, 2016 @ 12:50:41

      Hello, Sean!
      Glad that you liked it. I missed Singapore, I used to live in Paya Lebar.

      Another durian started his repair blog https://diediemustdive.wordpress.com so you may want to check that out. I must admit that I have not read everything there because I am too busy but I am sure that it is worth a look.

      Before you convert your 50, please take a look at the Ai conversion guides that I wrote to decide which one will work for you. Ric.

      Reply

      • John Metzger
        Sep 05, 2019 @ 22:39:32

        I stumbled across your wonderful repair articles in looking up how to completely disassemble a nikon 600mm f5.6 ais lens I just acquired. It has fungus and I thought I would just entirely clean and lube it since it looks like all elements and barrel are affected. Any ideas, links or pics would be greatly appreciated as I am a do it yourselfer but this lens appears to be more of a challenge than I am used to but I think I can do it successfully with the right info and tools most of which I have acquired at your suggestions in your blog.

  2. fishbook847
    Nov 11, 2016 @ 14:53:53

    Hi Richard,
    I’m wondering if you’ve had any experience working on nikons 300mm 2.8 AI? I’ve got one coming that has stuck aperture blades and am looking for some info on a repair.

    Brent

    Reply

    • richardhaw
      Nov 11, 2016 @ 22:20:44

      Hi,Brent!
      Sorry, but I do not have anything for that at the moment. That is too exotic for me. If I find one on the junk shop for a reasonable price I might consider it. Larger lenses are a pain to dismantle as they require a considerable amount of wrist strength. Ric.

      Reply

      • fishbook847
        Nov 11, 2016 @ 22:30:43

        thanks for the response, Rick! I should have messaged you on Nikongear but didn’t remember you were a member there.

        take care!

        Brent

  3. Christopher Holmgren
    Nov 22, 2016 @ 17:48:52

    Hello Richard
    I stumbled across your website today and I find it to be wonderful. It has certainly encouraged me to attempt to clean the fungus from my Nikkor 80-200 f4.5 lens. Do you have any guides planned for the Nikkor 28-85mm AIS or the 300mm f4.5 IF-ED?
    After managing to keep my lenses from from fungus in Hong Kong for 17 years I now find, here in France, I have acquired it. Perhaps I am eating too much French cheese.

    Any help would be gratefully appreciated.

    Regards
    Christopher

    Reply

    • richardhaw
      Nov 28, 2016 @ 13:45:32

      Hello, Christopher!
      Glad you liked the site! As for the lenses that you mentioned, unfortunately I do not any guides for those as they are currently out of mu budget. How bad is the fungus and where are they? Ric.

      Reply

  4. Christopher Holmgren
    Nov 28, 2016 @ 14:25:07

    Dear Ric
    I am very appreciative that you took the time to reply. The mold on the Nikkor 300mm is on an internal element probably the middle lens group. For the moment it isn’t too bad. I might have to swallow the pill and pay for it to be cleaned. Many thanks. Christopher

    Reply

  5. Mike R
    Jan 16, 2017 @ 21:54:09

    I have a D1 with an unknown batterie issue and can’t get it work properly, you can have it for your project if you’d like. keep up the good work.

    Reply

    • richardhaw
      Jan 21, 2017 @ 12:15:58

      Thanks, Mike! I appreciate the offer but I do not know how much the shipping will be. They are very good cameras! Is it because the contacts were dirty? Ric.

      Reply

  6. adelldonaghue
    Mar 27, 2017 @ 18:37:40

    Hi Richard,
    Thank you for this great blog and excellent information. I have a Nikkor AF 55mm macro (2.8) lens that is almost 30 years old. It is a great lens and I want to use it for copy stand work on a D70. Trouble is, the outer (plastic) focusing ring has snapped in 3 pieces. Sent it to Nikon and they say it is too old and parts not available. Took it to a repair shop in NYC and was told the same thing. So, this is my last shot at a repair. Do you have any advice on where I might find this simple part? Looks like it just snaps on… Any help you can provide will be greatly appreciated!

    Reply

    • richardhaw
      Mar 28, 2017 @ 00:20:44

      Hello, Adell!
      I am not sure about which focusing ring you are referring to because the focusing ring of this lens is metal. it this the one that has the numbers or is this the one further front? Have you opened and seen what’s broken? This doesn’t easily get broken as it will bend first. I believe that the screws might have been loose. Ric.

      Reply

  7. LJK
    Apr 22, 2017 @ 05:07:47

    Hi Richard,

    I recently purchased a Nikon 24mm PC-E lens. The previous owner neglected to tell me that he modified it to have the tilt and shift functions on the same axis. I want to put the lens back in its default configuration, but 3 of the 4 screws I need to remove are stripped. Would you be able to give me more information about the micro screw extractor you use? The heads of these screws appear to be 2.5-3mm. The only micro extractor I can find is the Micro Grabit by Alden. Thanks.

    Reply

    • richardhaw
      Apr 24, 2017 @ 02:01:39

      Hello!

      Have you read my screws article? There is a writeup there about how to use the extractor. There are some sellers online but you have to buy the exact one that I use because this is the smallest one available. Ric.

      Reply

  8. Chris
    Apr 26, 2017 @ 14:31:51

    Richard, do you have any knowledge about Nikon 300mm 2.8 lenses? I have the first version AF-s and need to remove the tripod collar due to it sticking. It seems very simple after looking at the repair manual, only 6 screws and it should slide off. My problem is that I am not able to get off the “tripod socket retainer ring”. Would you be able to assist in any way? I can provide photos and a copy of the manual and parts list.

    Reply

  9. c2fishing
    Apr 26, 2017 @ 14:36:42

    Richard,
    I am trying to remove the “Tripod socket retainer ring” on my 300 2.8. The repair manual seems to show 3 set screws to remove although I only can find one. My goal is to remove the Tripod socket and clean since it had started to stick. What tools would i need to remove this screw. I can provide a copy of the repair manual and parts list.

    Reply

    • richardhaw
      Apr 26, 2017 @ 15:07:13

      Hello, Chris!
      Great to hear from you! It is good to know that you got rid of the bayonet screws with ease!

      The set secrews may be hidden from view and you may have to rotate the collar to find it. I do not know,really. I do not have that lens in front of me so I cannot make an accurate assessment. You can email me the manual at richardHaw888@gmail.com but please tell me which page that thing is shown. Thanks!

      Reply

  10. danneh
    Jul 09, 2017 @ 10:55:23

    Hi Richard!
    I recently acquired a Meyer-optik Trioplan 50mm f/2.9 lens, full of mushrooms. I cleaned the glass and when cleaning some corrosion, I unfortunately accidentally let the focusing helicoid extend to much, which resulted in 2 pins getting loose. I decided to lubricate the lens, but now I am unable to put the lens back together. I just can’t get the pins in, or perhaps I’m doing something entirely wrong. I searched online and the closest article I could find was: https://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/4118352
    Construction is quite similar.

    There are various marks for alignment which could help. Do you have any tips? Perhaps I can send the lens over for a blog post to be made? 😛 I don’t mind paying for shipping back and forth, I intend to play around with the lens a bit.

    Reply

  11. danhan727gmailcom
    Jul 09, 2017 @ 10:55:44

    Hi Richard!
    I recently acquired a Meyer-optik Trioplan 50mm f/2.9 lens, full of mushrooms. I cleaned the glass and when cleaning some corrosion, I unfortunately accidentally let the focusing helicoid extend to much, which resulted in 2 pins getting loose. I decided to lubricate the lens, but now I am unable to put the lens back together. I just can’t get the pins in, or perhaps I’m doing something entirely wrong. I searched online and the closest article I could find was: https://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/4118352
    Construction is quite similar.

    There are various marks for alignment which could help. Do you have any tips? Perhaps I can send the lens over for a blog post to be made? 😛 I don’t mind paying for shipping back and forth, I intend to play around with the lens a bit.

    Reply

    • danhan727gmailcom
      Jul 09, 2017 @ 10:57:06

      Precisely, I am unable to put the focusing helicoid back together. The lens assembly is really simple. I remember having the same issue with the domiplan 50, but that was solved and I forgot how.

      Reply

  12. Steven Frey
    Aug 20, 2017 @ 14:27:57

    Hi, Richard,
    Have you got any experience with Ai Nikkor 28 f:2 ? My friend’s sample got some klunky sound coming from front part of the lens. Pictures are blurry outside central area of the frame, within f:2 and F.5.6 stops. Nothing looks broken, maybe it has something to do with the CRC, which is placed in the front part, as I was told.
    The problem came after the lens was carelessly dropped on the ground. Thanks! … and, it should be more guys like you in this world 🙂

    Reply

  13. Steven Frey
    Aug 20, 2017 @ 14:42:09

    Hi, Richard,
    Have you got any experience with Ai Nikkor 28 f:2 ? My friend’s sample got some klunky sound coming from front part of the lens. Pictures are blurry outside central area of the frame, within f:2 and F.5.6 stops. Nothing looks broken, maybe it has something to do with the CRC, which is placed in the front part, as I was told.
    The problem came after the lens was carelessly dropped on the ground. Thanks! … and, it should be more guys like you in this world 🙂

    Reply

  14. Steven Frey
    Aug 22, 2017 @ 09:05:07

    Hi, Richard,
    Have you got any experience with Ai Nikkor 28 f:2 ? My friend’s sample got some klunky sound coming from the front part of the lens. Pictures are blurry outside central area of a frame, within f:2 and F.5.6 stops. Nothing looks broken, maybe it has something to do with the CRC, which is placed in the front part, as I was told.
    The problem showed up after the lens was carelessly dropped on the ground. Thanks! … and, there should be more guys like you in this world.. 🙂

    Reply

    • richardhaw
      Aug 22, 2017 @ 09:14:56

      Hello, Steven!
      I haven’t had the chance to work on one. The CRC units can be fragile. If it was dropped then the rails inside might’ve been warped. Ric.

      Reply

      • Thede
        May 31, 2020 @ 20:58:37

        Hi Richard, what a great homepage… I love it and have already done some maintenance on some of my lenses based on your tips.

        But I am wondering, if, in the meantime, you have had the chance to service a 28mm f2 Ai? I am using one and it’s a great lens but the helicoids seem to be dry as there is a little squeaking sound while focussing. Therefore, I would like to re-lube them but I have some respect for the CRC. It would be great if you could publish some tips for this lens.

        All the best,
        Thede

  15. Steven Frey
    Aug 22, 2017 @ 16:46:40

    Thank you, I’ll see what I can do…keep up the fine work!

    Reply

  16. ludwigvan66
    Aug 24, 2017 @ 03:59:30

    Hello Richard, love your site. I’ve got a Nikkor 35mm f2 Ai that needs some help. The glass and aperture blades are great, but the focus is loose and aperture selector ring is very stiff, plus there is some internal dust. I’ve successfully disassembled/cleaned/reassembled a few Minolta and Olympus lenses using YouTube tutorials, but not Nikon. Do you know if there are significant differences between my lens and the f2.8 version you made a guide for?

    Reply

    • richardhaw
      Aug 24, 2017 @ 06:58:48

      Hello, Ludwig.
      If I recall correctly, it is closer to this lens:

      Repair: Nikkor-O 35mm f/2 Auto


      This family of lenses has a peculiarity that is not really present in most 35mm Nikkors in that the objective has to be opened in a certain way. I can write a guide for you if you want to but that will have to wait since I need to help somebody else with a 35-135mm. Ric.

      Reply

  17. Eric Ball
    Feb 13, 2018 @ 19:19:15

    Hi Richard,
    Whilst searching for some assistance repairing my Nikon AF-S DX G IF-ED 17-55mm F/2.8 DX ED AF-S I came across your site – excellent and informative, thank you.
    My specific problem is that at some point this lens was dropped (whilst attached to the body) and, whilst the lens has no external sign of damage, the zoom ring has become a bit ‘notchy’ around the 35-55mm range and there is some ‘movement’ noise at that point – as if I can hear the objectives moving internally.
    The lens still continues to perform with perfect auto and manual focus and edge to edge sharpness.
    Should I attempt a disassembly in order to investigate further – I have no previous experience working on lenses.
    Best regards,
    Eric

    Reply

  18. Tony Gardiner
    Feb 22, 2018 @ 23:37:39

    Good Morning Richard.
    I wonder whether you could please help me with an enlarger lens which has been infected with fungus. I have a Nikon EL-Nikkor 150mm f5.6A which I have been able to dismantle and clean all the lens elements except for the back lens of the front grouping. The problem is I can find no way to access the lens element, which sits behind the aperture mechanism. Looking from the rear of the barrel, I can see a notched retaining ring which indicates removal, but there is no definable opening to remove the aperture to get to the ring. I could of course clean the lens in situ, however I would prefer to do the job properly.
    I previously endeavoured to approach you with a message elsewhere in your blog site, but I must have done something wrong. Irrespective I would appreciate your advice. Appreciated and many thanks. Regards, Tony

    Reply

  19. DieterP
    May 18, 2018 @ 02:57:09

    Hello Richard,

    I own a AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8G IF-ED and have some problems with it. It sometimes slightly overshoots focus and goes “focus hunting”. It does not hunt from stop to stop. Its like when it overshoots the initial focus it corrects itself but overshoots again,… Are you familiar with issues like this? thx

    Reply

  20. dieterpa
    May 18, 2018 @ 02:58:27

    Hello Richard,

    I own a AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8G IF-ED and have some problems with it. It sometimes slightly overshoots focus and goes “focus hunting”. It does not hunt from stop to stop. Its like when it overshoots the initial focus it corrects itself but overshoots again,… Are you familiar with issues like this? thx

    Reply

  21. Rod Gully
    Jul 24, 2018 @ 01:39:16

    Hi Richard,
    I’m heading you regarding kids education fees – I’m trying my hardest not to have to sell any of my old Nikkors yet and would rather eat less than do that …
    Anyway firstly thanks so much for your article on repairing the NKJ Nikkor-P 105 2.5 early version, I was able to cleN this up just fine and it’s a really lovely lens now.
    My question today is I have an Ai modified (with proper Ai ring) Nikkor 20mm f4, serial 103133 so quite early.
    It is beaten up on the outside but the optics are clean and gives me sharp images BUT the focus is really really sticky.
    Do you have experience with this lens ?
    I’m confident enough to give it a crack myself as it doesn’t have CRC elements I don’t believe but would appreciate some advice – or happy to send it to you to do if you’d like to add it to your repair article database ???
    (Hey one had to ask 🙂
    Anyway, thank you for your wonderful site.

    Rod Gully
    NZ

    Reply

    • richardhaw
      Jul 29, 2018 @ 14:24:10

      Hello, Rod!
      I know how that feels! I am eating less now during the work week and that helps me save money and I get slimmer as a reward, too!
      Sure, Rod. I can accommodate that if it’s a UD but I am currently busy at the moment so it may sit in the box for weeks before I even touch it. If that’s OK with you then let’s see what we can do. I am also interested in a 35/1.4 Ai-S. Ric.

      Reply

  22. Rob
    Aug 03, 2018 @ 12:50:54

    Hi Richard, Great site – love the repair articles. I have been doing repairs on Nikon MF lens for 25 years and learn the hard way with no instructions! I need to buy a small screw/bolt extractor like the one you show but can’t find anything the same in the UK. Can you point me to an ebay listing from Japan that will ship to me ? Listings for buying replacement lens mount screws would be nice to have too. Keep up the good work. Regards Rob Manchester UK

    Reply

  23. Piermario Urbani
    Jan 12, 2019 @ 00:48:36

    Hello Richard, as I said, I got the 20mm 2.8 with mushrooms that I managed to remove quietly. But I saw that the goal before opening it has a game in the mechanics of focusing and I wanted to know if this is normal or if you have to intervene thanks for your availability Mario
    and sorry for my poor english

    Reply

  24. Raj
    May 04, 2019 @ 00:28:47

    Hello Richard, great information, I still use Ai and Ais nikkor lenses, 105/2.5 , 135/2.8 ais, 55/2.8 micro ais.
    Can you she’d some light on installing cpu chip on 105/2.5 Ais lens please.
    Thanks
    Raj.

    Reply

  25. Joseph Holley
    May 28, 2019 @ 06:09:48

    Hey Richard – great site, thanks for sharing all the knowledge. I know you’ve mentioned in a couple posts that you’ve worked on some of the Nikkors for Bronica MF cameras. Any plans to post articles about repair of these lenses?

    I’ve got a Nikkor-P 200mm f/4 for Bronica S and haven’t had any luck figuring out how to remove the front couple of elements and get to the aperture mechanism. It has an integrated hood similar to an f-mount Nikkor-Q 200mm f4 but doesn’t seem to remove the same way. There’s a hole in the hood just like the f-mount lens, but I’ve searched the whole barrel with the hole, and there’s no screw! Any ideas?

    Reply

  26. Renin
    Jun 17, 2019 @ 09:27:10

    Dear Richard, Thanks for your nice article. Do you know any camera repair shop in Shinjuku or in Tokyo? I have autofocus problem with my Nikkor AF 28-70mm F2.8 D lens. If you know any suitable place, please share with me.

    Reply

  27. mistakeholder
    Jun 17, 2019 @ 09:27:55

    Dear Richard, Thanks for your nice article. Do you know any camera repair shop in Shinjuku or in Tokyo? I have autofocus problem with my Nikkor AF 28-70mm F2.8 D lens. If you know any suitable place, please share with me.

    Reply

  28. Andrew
    Feb 01, 2020 @ 03:18:03

    Great blog! I have used your great articles to repair several lenses and I am sure more to come. The information was invaluable when I got an 85 1.4 that had been apart at some point and was not getting to infinity. I spent almost a whole day using your blog, trial and error to get all the helicoids and Crc back in their proper position. I would second the older post below about the 300 2.8 AIS but I understand it is kind of a beast to handle. I have one with some mold on the focusing element, it is easy to take the aperture housing and front elements apart but after that it is really confusing and there is no information beyond that point online that I can find. Thanks again for the great blog!

    Andrew

    Reply

  29. Aly's Vintage Camera Alley
    Apr 03, 2020 @ 03:31:49

    Hello. Do you plan on making an article on cleaning the Nikkor Q 13.5 cm auto lens? I want so badly to learn to clean it myself. Thank you for making this website.

    Reply

  30. Steakman911 (Theo Groenevelt)
    Oct 01, 2020 @ 22:24:50

    Hello Richard. Very simple question.
    I have an AI Conv K 300mm f/4.5
    Ser # 491472

    I have Fungus on the front lens group and without wanting to damage this lens, and as I could not find any decent U-tub on how to access this glass, would love to know how to do so. I was hoping that his lens would be similar in
    construction as the AI 200mm f/4 in that a set screw would allow the front lens group to simply unscrew – have located said screw but even with it backed out half way, no joy.

    Kinda stuck here now..LOL.

    Any advice would be greatly appreciated.!
    thank you kindly,
    Theo

    Reply

  31. Bruce Edinger
    Dec 31, 2020 @ 22:24:33

    Hello Richard – Thanks for a wonderful and generous blog!

    I have a 300mm F4 AF (non-AFS) with a dusty/dirty rear element BEHIND the diaphragm (the way the lens was designed, like the 180mm F2.8 AF, too).
    How can I clean it safely DIY? How might a Nikon or other tech safely get at the deeply recessed rearmost element without harming shutter blades? No luck with Google, maybe you have an idea?

    Thanks for a very helpful blog.

    Bruce

    Reply

  32. paolo
    Jan 12, 2021 @ 10:46:14

    I’m looking for the instructions to disassemble the beautiful micro-nikkor 200 f / 4, but I haven’t found anything yet. do you have a blog for this lens? thanks

    Reply

  33. JOHN GROSS
    Feb 22, 2021 @ 16:42:29

    ANY information on dis assembly of ZUNOW 50MM F1.0 NEED TO REMOVE SOME FOGGING & STIICKY FOCUSING & F STOP TOO?

    Reply

  34. pat jones
    Feb 25, 2021 @ 11:27:46

    Richard with your help have just completed my first in depth lens repair, few more to go. Thank you so much for your assistance, doing repairs like this is good for the”soul” in these lockdown times. Helps keep the brain working.

    Regards Pat Jones, Leicestershire, England

    Reply

  35. davidpalermo
    Mar 24, 2021 @ 17:18:32

    I have a Nikkor 24mm PC lens. When the lens is in it’s normal position it works fine. When I rotate the lens I cannot set the aperture. On the camera’s display it says the aperture is 0. I also cannot set it manually when the lens is rotated. I use this lens on 2 D750s. Thank you!

    Reply

  36. Theo Groenevelt
    Jul 22, 2021 @ 02:27:47

    Richard.

    Suggestion. Could you do a dissasembly on an AF Nikkor 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5D..??

    A Great D lens that is to me, one of the better D offerings ever. A fantastic Walkabout mid range Zoom that is Sharp – low distortion and is eminently usable in many different settings.

    A thought sir..

    thank you for your consideration.
    Theo

    Reply

  37. Terry Lewis
    Aug 11, 2021 @ 04:02:52

    Hi Richard, Do you repair other people’s equipment?
    I have several non ai lenses which have not been converted .

    Reply

  38. Steve
    Mar 18, 2022 @ 17:39:34

    Hi Richard
    Need Help to Clean a Nikkor 500mm F8 Mirror Mk2

    Reply

  39. Chris
    Mar 25, 2022 @ 22:15:48

    Hi Richard
    First thanks again for the best site for older Nikkor repairs, It has allowed me to breathe life into some very sad examples and give them a second coming but also through this site I have been able to collect and repair a very nice collection of great glass, your time and dedication is much appreciated.
    But here is the ask, My biggest nightmare is trying to disassemble the larger groups , front groups 180mm f2.8 ,300 f4.5 , 80-200 f2.8 (you get the picture) and similar,I soak them, I put thin oil on the rings and try adding petrol lighter fluid to dilute and help it penetrate, I resort to a heat gun to heat the holder, but all the time I fear the lens spanner slipping and marking the glass, I hold the lens spanner in a large engineering vice to make it as rigid as possible, Is there an easy way?
    I know the answer is probably NO but I have been nurturing the front group of a 180 f2.8 for a couple of days and am giving up hope
    Cheers
    smartlemming

    Reply

  40. Sergio
    Apr 30, 2022 @ 10:11:40

    Dear Richard,

    I’m sorry for my bad english! I need your help to repair another Nikkor 360-1200mm!
    please contact me so I can send to you some pictures!
    Sergio,Italy

    Reply

  41. Greg Schmittel
    Aug 26, 2022 @ 01:20:46

    Hey Richard, I wanted to declick the aperture ring on my nikkor 50-300. I was able to do it but now the aperture fork doesn’t seem to be working. It’s not adjusting the aperture anymore. Am I able to just re-seat it or does the lens need to be taken apart do you think?

    Reply

  42. Toon Jansen
    Aug 30, 2022 @ 15:24:06

    Hi Richard,

    I am very glad to access your website and you are a great help for me when I repair old Nikon-lenses.
    Recently I worked on a Tokina 300mm f/2.8 AF with a lot of mould in it. Because it’s not easy to find anything on repairing a Tokina-lens, except your post on the 28-70/2.8, I took the gamble and opened this big lens. To be honest: it was a great lens to work on and if you like I can send you some information and pictures of it.
    Because of that succes I recently bought the Tokina 80-200mm AF 2.8 with the same problem. To be honest: I have no idea how to disassemble this lens. Have you any idea or do you know someone who has done this before ? I removed the first front element but after that I get stuck. I have no idea how to remove the second element.

    Thanks for your help.

    Toon

    Reply

    • Fernando
      Sep 08, 2022 @ 20:11:58

      Same problem here, I have the ATX pro version of this lense with some fungus and now think about either selling or repairing, depending on how much work ist would be.

      Reply

    • Farkas Zoltán
      Jan 16, 2023 @ 08:59:30

      Hi Toon!

      I have the MF version of this lens and I need to clean the inside.
      Can you share the disassembly process?

      Thanks for the help!
      Zoltán

      Reply

  43. Chris Wilson
    May 30, 2023 @ 12:54:00

    Hello Richard, I have several lenses I need to disassemble and repair. First is a Nikon 80-200 with the all to common broken m-a focus ring. The second is a Nikon 180 2.8 with haze. Finally is a 105 2.8 that won’t focus all the way to infinity. Any wisdom you can lend would be great. Keep up the great work you do. Enjoy your site!

    Reply

    • Chris
      May 30, 2023 @ 13:33:04

      Hi Chris
      Richard seems to be absent for a while, The thin ring on the 80-200 I have fixed with a section of black Tie wrap,I used one that was slightly wider then I drilled a small hole in the tie wrap to maintain access to the screw and then squeezed the ring together and superglued the tie wrap on, the repair was solid looked almost like it was original and lasted, The reason I did this was because the replacement rings are expensive (are they even still available?) and it avoided full dissassembly of the front of the lens.
      I think the haze in the 180 is a non runner, I had one with it in the inner focusing group and on dissaembly I found it to be a cemented group breaking down!, easy strip from front, remove 3 screws from around front shroud allowing removal of front group then remove shroud so lens spanner can reach inner focusing group.
      does the 105 show signs of disassembly, could be on the wrong helicoid, not sure otherwise, I have had a lot of these and never had problem with infinity

      Reply

      • Chris Wilson
        May 30, 2023 @ 13:46:36

        Yes on the disassembly. I took it completely apart when I bought it. I carefully marked where helicoid came apart. Maybe I reassembled incorrectly. Or maybe a prior owner.

      • Chris
        May 30, 2023 @ 15:57:35

        Hi Chris
        Could it be the CRC unit? If it is at the rear and was positioned too far forward of the mount that may cause not reaching infinity (I think).
        I had an 18mm Nikon once that the CRC dog had broken on, And was told by someone who used to service nikon lenses that they set the CRC unit at infinity (or at least it was easier to) Probably sending you down a blind alley

      • Chris Wilson
        May 30, 2023 @ 16:57:46

        Unknown. Not enough info there to act upon…

    • Chris
      May 30, 2023 @ 13:38:04

      Hi again
      Sorry thought you were talking 105,f2.5,

      Reply

  44. Chris Wilson
    Jun 04, 2023 @ 12:43:42

    Hey Richard, Again, thanks for all you are doing to help us breathe new life into old lenses.

    I have a new to me 80-200 2.8 2 ring lens. I need to disassemble and clean and grease it. Any instructions available?

    Reply

  45. Chris Wilson
    Jun 11, 2023 @ 19:13:08

    Any possibility of a disassembly post on the Nikon 80-200 2.8? I have the parts needed now but would sure like a video or text way to have my hand held so to speak!

    Reply

  46. Geert
    Jun 29, 2023 @ 07:42:45

    Hello Richard,

    Have you ever done any work on the Nikkor 70-180mm AF-D micro lens? I have one with a focus ring that is sticky at the short end (between 0.40 and 0.37m). Procirep (official repair service of Nikon in Belgium) says they don’t support this lens anymore. Do you think it’d doable to fix it myself and how?

    kind regards
    Geert

    Reply

  47. RAVULA SAI AKHIL PATEL
    Jul 01, 2023 @ 04:37:03

    best lens

    Reply

  48. akhil
    Jul 01, 2023 @ 04:38:03

    good lens

    Reply

  49. chris
    Jan 07, 2024 @ 17:57:49

    Just gave you 30 euros. thanks to you I fixed two nikkor 50mm bought on ebay: one let to rot, the other badly repaired by a not so nice seller.
    Your became my second idol, after Sover Wong 🙂

    Reply

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