It's time for another blog post, this one being a bit different than my usual ones. I was taking a look at one of my lenses last night, noticed the optics were loose and rattling, and though, I can fix that. So here we are. A lens disassembly and repair post. (No this is not going to turn into the lens rentals blog. I'm not comfortable doing everything they do, but I do like to take things apart!)
First, the removal of the nameplate ring.
Next came the removal of the front element. Still no real access to the main body of the lens from the front, so I then moved to the back.
Removal of the back plate reveals the aperture control arm, the part with all the springs that like to fly everywhere.
Following the removal of the aperture control arm, I removed the rear element and the rear group. (Pictured below is the front element, the rear element, and the rear group)
With the rear group out, I now have access to the aperture and the 3 screws that hold the main optical assembly in place. All 3 of the screws were very loose, and about to fall out. The culprit has been found.
With the 3 screws tightened, time to star reassembly. Pictured below, all the parts and tools.
Lens reassembled, everything is tight and sharp.
Such a beautiful front element.
Monster of a camera as well. In the early 1970s, Graflex imported the Japanese 6x6 medium format camera, Norita 66, into the United States. A beautiful medium format camera that has a unique normal lens with an f/2 aperture. Most other standard lenses for MF are f/2.8 making this a unique and fun camera.
Well, that's about it. Please let me know if you guys want to see more posts like this, as I enjoy taking things apart and would be happy to make more posts like this.
