How to Loosen a Stiff Zoom Ring?
I recently bought a 5d Classic, and it came with the Canon 28-105 f/3.5-4.5, which is a fine lens, but the problem I'm having is that the zoom ring binds up and is so stiff as to make it basically unusable, so I was wondering if there were some way to lubricate it or otherwise make it easier to use. I would just get another one, but I don't know if they're all this bad or if I just have a particularly bad copy. Any help would be appreciated.
Quote from Cory Maben on October 24, 2024, 8:38 amI recently bought a 5d Classic, and it came with the Canon 28-105 f/3.5-4.5, which is a fine lens, but the problem I'm having is that the zoom ring binds up and is so stiff as to make it basically unusable, so I was wondering if there were some way to lubricate it or otherwise make it easier to use. I would just get another one, but I don't know if they're all this bad or if I just have a particularly bad copy. Any help would be appreciated.
Its probably just old and/or heavily used or stored improperly. You can maybe try figure out how old it is with printing position and color or the letters.
The issue most likely comes from dirt/dust sticking to the lubrication turning it into liquid sandpaper which then dies out over time leaving scratched-up high-friction contact points.
To fix this you'd need to take it apart clean/polish it and re-lubricate. It's worth a try if you have the tools. Getting it professionally fixed is probably way to expensive these days.
A new (old) one in good condition should not have the same issue, I don't have the exacts same but a similar one and mine is from 1995 and the zoom is still completely smooth.
Quote from Kamera Brand on October 24, 2024, 10:55 amQuote from Cory Maben on October 24, 2024, 8:38 amI recently bought a 5d Classic, and it came with the Canon 28-105 f/3.5-4.5, which is a fine lens, but the problem I'm having is that the zoom ring binds up and is so stiff as to make it basically unusable, so I was wondering if there were some way to lubricate it or otherwise make it easier to use. I would just get another one, but I don't know if they're all this bad or if I just have a particularly bad copy. Any help would be appreciated.
Its probably just old and/or heavily used or stored improperly. You can maybe try figure out how old it is with printing position and color or the letters.
The issue most likely comes from dirt/dust sticking to the lubrication turning it into liquid sandpaper which then dies out over time leaving scratched-up high-friction contact points.
To fix this you'd need to take it apart clean/polish it and re-lubricate. It's worth a try if you have the tools. Getting it professionally fixed is probably way to expensive these days.
A new (old) one in good condition should not have the same issue, I don't have the exacts same but a similar one and mine is from 1995 and the zoom is still completely smooth.
Do you know of any good resources about taking lenses apart? Just looking at it there is no way in except the screws on the bottom of the lens mount. I'm willing to try it because it's so bad that I'm resigned to either throwing it away or donating it to a thrift shop.
It also makes sense what your saying that lubricating the grit would just cause more damage and I'm 95% sure that it would cost more to repair than to just buy another one.
Quote from Cory Maben on October 24, 2024, 8:44 pmQuote from Kamera Brand on October 24, 2024, 10:55 amQuote from Cory Maben on October 24, 2024, 8:38 amI recently bought a 5d Classic, and it came with the Canon 28-105 f/3.5-4.5, which is a fine lens, but the problem I'm having is that the zoom ring binds up and is so stiff as to make it basically unusable, so I was wondering if there were some way to lubricate it or otherwise make it easier to use. I would just get another one, but I don't know if they're all this bad or if I just have a particularly bad copy. Any help would be appreciated.
Its probably just old and/or heavily used or stored improperly. You can maybe try figure out how old it is with printing position and color or the letters.
The issue most likely comes from dirt/dust sticking to the lubrication turning it into liquid sandpaper which then dies out over time leaving scratched-up high-friction contact points.
To fix this you'd need to take it apart clean/polish it and re-lubricate. It's worth a try if you have the tools. Getting it professionally fixed is probably way to expensive these days.
A new (old) one in good condition should not have the same issue, I don't have the exacts same but a similar one and mine is from 1995 and the zoom is still completely smooth.Do you know of any good resources about taking lenses apart? Just looking at it there is no way in except the screws on the bottom of the lens mount. I'm willing to try it because it's so bad that I'm resigned to either throwing it away or donating it to a thrift shop.
It also makes sense what your saying that lubricating the grit would just cause more damage and I'm 95% sure that it would cost more to repair than to just buy another one.
Usually there are screws on the mount side that are for the most part just standard screw. Then on the other side there is most likely are large ring with threads that holds the front element in place. There might be a plastic ring or something covering it that needs to be removed first. The actual screw ring has notches on 2 sides which makes it basically an extremely large screw that is hollow in the center. You will need a special tool or DIY one to screw this ring out.
All the rest very much depend on the lens so best way is to search for the model you have and then try keywords like "disassembly", "cleaning inside", "teardown".
ifixit and youtube or just random blog posts may cover that exact lenses.
Before you take anything out of the lenses its a good idea to mark its orientation to later put it back to together exactly the same.
Taking a lot of photos along the way may also come in handy + you could share them online for others.
I agree if you can find the exact model online somewhere that can be a BIG help. Is this the model? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RfV_iLj17_E&ab_channel=YorgiCameras
I enjoy taking lenses apart, mostly just for cleaning fungus out, but I will admit it can be pretty tricky. I think getting in there to clean/lubricate the barrel shouldn't be too bad. But I would just be careful with areas that control the aperture as there's usually little springs that go flying and are really hard to get back into place. You should be able to avoid that area.
Thanks both of you for your helps and tips! The problem ended up sorting itself out. The 5d had haze in the pentaprism and so I wound up returning both it and the lens it came with.
That was indeed the correct lens. I appreciate it. I feel like I should at some point take a lens apart just to get that experience and confidence repairing things instead of resigning them to being junk. But this time was not that time I guess.
