What's going on with my Hexanon 57mm 1.2?

BrianSVP · Joined: 09 Jun 2023 Posts: 353 Location: Philadelphia

Thanks for the compliments again, folks!

The Topcor series I did was more a partial teardown walkthrough than a full CLA instructional, but I'm glad it's helped some folks out there. I had received one of these lenses that had an issue with the aperture blades (busted off pivot) and separation in one of the cemented groups, and I did take pictures through that process, so I figured I'd share them for anyone else who wanted to attempt something similar. I ended up losing the shots when I did the aperture fix, so that section's missing, and honestly, it was the toughest part of the repair, so I'm a little regretful of that, but I've still been glad to hear folks have found it useful.

Putting together the walkthrough was at least as much work as the actual repair was, so I really appreciate the work that other folks have done providing similar information on the internet. Such walkthroughs were invaluable to me when I first got into the hobby of lens/camera repair a decade ago, so hopefully I can give back in my own little way. If I find the free time at some point, I might try to put together a series of walkthroughs that discuss some of the more general principles behind various lens designs and tips for their repair in a home/workshop setting, as there's a ton of stuff specific to particular lenses out there if you know what to look for, but very little that treat the more generally applicable knowledge, tips and tricks, etc. that come from plain old-fashioned experience.

It's not for everyone, but it can be a very rewarding hobby. I've certainly achieved a lot of satisfaction getting many old lenses that would otherwise be destined for the dumpster back out there and taking pictures, both in my own hands, and in those of others. Through reselling and trading repaired lenses, I've also been able to play with a LOT of really cool equipment that I probably never would have gotten a chance to otherwise. While I like to consider myself a fairly competent photographer, I'm not a pro, so without the repair end of things, I probably never would have been able to justify to myself some of the expenditures I've made on various classic/exotic/obscure equipment.

Plus, as a person really into puzzles and the like, I just find it so d**n fun!

jamaeolus · Expire: 2015-08-20

I have also dabbled in the CLA regime and find it very rewarding. I am not too adventurous, though and won't break into a valuable lens. I figured that out after ruining some lesser gear. I would currently not have the guts for example to try a repair on a Konica 57 1.2, or Zeiss pancolar 80. I have opened and fixed quite a few others, including a topcon re 50mm 1.8, a petri orrikor 35mm 3.5 lots of enlarger lenses.

KEO · Joined: 27 Sep 2018 Posts: 775 Location: USA