Hellicoid Grease Recommendation

Gatorengineer64 · Joined: 26 Oct 2017 Posts: 283

I got my 85 1.8 back together but need to relube the helicoid, what do people recommend for that. I know its googleable but would like to have a bit of a dialog. There are 50 different recommendations on how to clean a lens, and I tried several till I found the one that I like.... So probably the same with Grease. THanks

visualopsins · Expire: 2025-04-11

Another dialog? Smile

http://forum.mflenses.com/lens-grease-t78191.html

guardian · Joined: 18 Mar 2009 Posts: 1746

Boy, things are getting tough out there.

It's been a few years. But seeing this thread I decided to check up on HELIMAX-XP, the grease designed for our lenses.

Darn.

The HELIMAX-XP I bought back then at reasonable cost (few bucks on eBay) has obviously been discovered . . . or whatever . . . I'm not sure exactly what happened because I was not paying any attention.

But Amazon is now selling it for vastly more than I paid. So I went back to eBay and the seller there has raised his price to equal Amazon's price!

I thought I bought HELIMAX-XP. Now I realize it was actually greasy gold that I bought! Admittedly a tiny amount of HELIMAX-XP goes a really long way. And I still have a lot left of what I bought when the price was reasonable. Good thing, too, because at the current lofty price I would have to think twice before buying any more. Sad

D1N0 · Joined: 07 Aug 2012 Posts: 2536

stevemark · Joined: 29 Apr 2011 Posts: 4068 Location: Switzerland

I'm using Losoid greases made by the German company Losimol. Losimol is the complany producing specialized greases for lenses, and their products are used e. g. by Zeiss, Canon and Leitz.

For lenses with a well made helicoid (=small tolerances) a grease with low viscosity such as Losoid 33A is perfectly suited (technical data see here: https://www.losimol.de/en/technical-specifications/). I've been using it for the Minolta MC-X series of lenses (alu on brass helicoids) with perfect result, but also for MD lenses such as the MD-II 1.2/50mm (alu on alu helicoids).

For "cheaper" lenses having bigger tolerances a grease with a higher viscosity may be required, e. g. Losoid 3345 (http://casamodularsystems.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=370).

Losoid 3346 is used by Canon for their lenses.

When re-lubricating the helicoids it's paramount not to apply too much grease - otherwise focusing will be stiff even with a grease of lowest viscosity!

S

HansMoleman · Joined: 12 Jul 2019 Posts: 158 Location: MD USA

I've used Redline Assembly Lube for engines in a pinch. Embarassed

Worked fine...........in fact it's still working.

guardian · Joined: 18 Mar 2009 Posts: 1746

D1N0 · Joined: 07 Aug 2012 Posts: 2536

Well I didn't bother to check shipping cost, since it is from the US so usually expensive unless it fits in a letter. It will depend on your location.

visualopsins · Expire: 2025-04-11

Thirteen dollars an ounce delivered doesn't seem excessive considering cost of manufacturing, goods, and shipping today -- and a tiny market comparatively speaking. Certainly not anywhere near the $1700.00/oz gold price, and only half the price per ounce of silver... Nine dollars direct from manufacturer is probably more than the price when bought in a brick-and-morrtar retail camera store.

Gatorengineer64 · Joined: 26 Oct 2017 Posts: 283

Thanks I will do a bit of research on the three recommended, and get one on order.... I wanted to be sure I was using something that wouldn't outgas and haze lenses. I have had more than a few vintage binos that this happened on.

Lightshow · Joined: 04 Nov 2011 Posts: 3666 Location: Calgary

Helimax-XP is my first choice unless I need something thinner, then I would pick the #10, but the #10 has a tendency to separate so I don't recommend it as a first choice, especially if aperture mechanics are near the helicoid, I've yet to find a grease as light and smooth which is perfect for fine pitch threads.
Helimav-XP https://www.ebay.ca/itm/123651606955
#10 https://www.ebay.ca/itm/203490379529

I also came across Speclub Helicoid grease that I wanted to try out, it sounded similar to XP, but it disappeared off eBay and most of the web.

Found a listing but have no idea if it's safe to order from them https://www.anigrapixw.com/helicoid-grease-telescope-camera-optical-instrument-w-ptfe-new-p-307471.htm

And a water resistant version

I tried to post the image but it gets flipped left to right(edit: I decided to host it), here's the page I got it from if you want a better image.
https://cameras-and-photo.lubricantsi.biz/speclub-helicoid-grease-telescope-camera-optical-instrument-w.html?product_id=go8GEV2WHxbOIw
I can't find a listing anywhere for the ultra, and only a couple for the standard grease, I'm wondering if it was a pop-up company that had an excess supply of grease and ordered a batch of containers, which wouldn't surprise one bit. Oh well, I have enough XP to last me a few years.

kiddo · Joined: 29 Jun 2018 Posts: 1273

guardian · Joined: 18 Mar 2009 Posts: 1746

stevemark · Joined: 29 Apr 2011 Posts: 4068 Location: Switzerland

kiddo · Joined: 29 Jun 2018 Posts: 1273

stevemark · Joined: 29 Apr 2011 Posts: 4068 Location: Switzerland

kiddo · Joined: 29 Jun 2018 Posts: 1273

Thanks Steve, I've just orderer ,let's see what doest it takes to arrive to europe .

Lightshow · Joined: 04 Nov 2011 Posts: 3666 Location: Calgary

Applying grease to the helicoid, only so much grease will fit between the two halves, the excess that squeeze out is wasted and is at risk of migrating to unintended locations, so how much to use, and how do you apply it?

IMO a thin coating over the helicoid surface is all that's needed such that no bare metal/plastic rub together, to get an even coating I use a small artist brush(round and bristles about a 1/2" or 1cm long and 1/8" or 3mm in diameter) to apply the grease, I just paint it on, I dip the brush and spread the grease as far as I can while trying to keep the coverage uniformly covered, at some point the brush goes dry and you'll have to dip it again, and then you have to do the other half of the helicoid which is why you can get away with such a thin layer.

As you mate the two halves of the helicoid there will still be some squeeze out, wipe it away with the brush but don't return it to the grease container as it could be contaminated with old grease or dirt/grit, it really depends on how clean you can get the helicoid, I use a cloth to wipe away the bulk of the old grease then I use mineral spirits and a toothbrush to clea away what's left behind, then rinse it with hot water, then repeat with soap and water with another toothbrush and then rinse then dry it, it should be clean enough to eat off it and not contaminate the new grease, I don't know how the old and new greases will react to each other so IMO the cleaner the better.

Once the two halves are together I will test the helicoid by running it back and forth slowly a few times to feel for any rubbing or grittiness, if I feel none I will finish or continue the reassembly. If I do feel something, I'll investigate what and where it's happening.

Gatorengineer64 · Joined: 26 Oct 2017 Posts: 283

My application plant was to clean all of the residual from the lens and apply a thread level coating on the first to engage 1/3rd of the lens and then run it in and out.

I have another situation where I made need a heavier grease and that is on the Kiev adapters that I am using to shoot Nikon S and contax rangefinder lenses. These are not shall we say precision devices and the lens is actually a bit loose due to this. So for this I will need something a bit heavier.

Lightshow · Joined: 04 Nov 2011 Posts: 3666 Location: Calgary

The #30 helicoid grease would be a better fit for coarse or aggressive threads.
#30: https://www.ebay.com/itm/124778338601
#40: https://www.ebay.com/itm/254700969798

I spotted a new grease on eBay...
https://www.ebay.com/itm/174511816531
There are other listings for the various grades and sizes, but this one has them all in one page, I don't know how suitable it is, but it's another option at least, if anyone buys some, some feedback would be appreciated, especially for the lighter viscosity greases.

kiddo · Joined: 29 Jun 2018 Posts: 1273

petersongame217 · Joined: 24 Jun 2021 Posts: 4 Location: New York

I also used hellicoid grease and it was great in the lense. The lens is clear and I think of all I tried, that's the best for me. The lense become clear and that's what I used when I capture photo on the company. fort smith concrete

Ernst Dinkla · Joined: 30 Nov 2016 Posts: 410

I have used this for years on good helicoids. https://www.neyco.fr/uploads/media/product/0001/01/55c8cacc6c9b044231fad3072914ac3c6ecdbe50.pdf No issues at all, was part of the NYE Hobby Lubricant Kit.

A heavier sticky one for a really weared out helicoid, Elbesil BM, which I bought originally for the espresso machine. Not recommended for any better helicoid, strong hands needed then. https://www.boewing.de/en/products/item/101-plastic/526-elbesil_bm_26_en.html

NiceDays · Joined: 25 Jun 2021 Posts: 23

visualopsins · Expire: 2025-04-11

Anybody try PFPE-PTFE greases?

https://www.amazon.com/Krytox-Grease-Pure-PFPE-PTFE/dp/B072Q8JLHH/ref=asc_df_B00MWLD958