Any Hope for S.M.C. Takumar 24mm 3.5 with stuck blades ?

Ronald Oakes · 04-02-2018, 05:08 PM

My old SMC Takumar 24mm lens has finally got stuck blades.
They were always slow opening , but it has progressed to the point now of not opening or closing hardly at all......barely useable at all.
I don't want a costly CLA and would like to do this myself if it isn't too hard.
Problem is I cant find any info directly related to this lens.
Should I try this on my own ?
I do have appropriate tools , just don't know where to start on this one.....Any Help is much appreciated.

**monochrome** · 04-02-2018, 05:21 PM

Originally posted by Ronald Oakes

My old SMC Takumar 24mm lens has finally got stuck blades.
They were always slow opening , but it has progressed to the point now of not opening or closing hardly at all......barely useable at all.
I don't want a costly CLA and would like to do this myself if it isn't too hard.
Problem is I cant find any info directly related to this lens.
Should I try this on my own ?
I do have appropriate tools , just don't know where to start on this one.....Any Help is much appreciated.

If you want it done right - if you want another 50 years from the lens - have Eric do a CLA. You should really disassemble the mount and aperture mechanism (remove and clean the blades individually) and as long as you have the lens open, lubnricate the helicoid and adjust the colimation. That particular lens is worth a $50 CLA.

Ronald Oakes · 04-02-2018, 05:25 PM

Originally posted by monochrome

If you want it done right - if you want another 50 years from the lens - have Eric do a CLA. You should really disassemble the mount and aperture mechanism (remove and clean the blades individually) and as long as you have the lens open, lubnricate the helicoid and adjust the colimation. That particular lens is worth a $50 CLA.

Last time I checked , Eric was taking a break ? Has he resumed repairs ? Last CLA was $65 from Eric also.

**monochrome** · 04-02-2018, 05:31 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Ronald Oakes

Last time I checked , Eric was taking a break ? Has he resumed repairs ? Last CLA was $65 from Eric also.

AFAIK he is working. He repaired a dropped FA43 for me last month (thankfully not 0000831) and he has 2 Asahiflexes for CLA ATM.

Kozlok · 04-02-2018, 09:37 PM

Originally posted by monochrome

AFAIK he is working. He repaired a dropped FA43 for me last month (thankfully not 0000831) and he has 2 Asahiflexes for CLA ATM.

Oooh, that’s the second oldest 43 I know of. Mine is 0000646.

tromboads · 04-03-2018, 12:08 AM

Yes there is hope!

They are really simple to service. But since you appear apprehensive, go find a broken SMC tak to practice with! The aperture mechanism if I remember correctly sits at the back, you only have to remove one combined element group and then you have access to it.

It's usually just a matter of taking the blades out, and cleaning them with grog, take your time, put it back together and BAM!

When you mean barely moving at all, even when the aperture is set to "M"

Cheers,

You can do it.

04-02-2018, 05:08 PM	#1
Ronald Oakes Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Virginia Posts: 1,582	Any Hope for S.M.C. Takumar 24mm 3.5 with stuck blades ? My old SMC Takumar 24mm lens has finally got stuck blades. They were always slow opening , but it has progressed to the point now of not opening or closing hardly at all......barely useable at all. I don't want a costly CLA and would like to do this myself if it isn't too hard. Problem is I cant find any info directly related to this lens. Should I try this on my own ? I do have appropriate tools , just don't know where to start on this one.....Any Help is much appreciated.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Pentacon 135mm F2.8 ~ 15 blades = BOKEH MONSTER ~ 6 blades = NOT ?	minahasa	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	5	04-03-2021 05:35 PM
FA 50mm f/1.7 ....aperture blades stuck wide open	rrwilliams64	Repairs and Warranty Service	4	09-17-2016 04:56 PM
Super Takumar 200/F4 with stuck aperture blades	chrisycao	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	1	04-23-2016 05:22 PM
Vivitar 28-85mm stuck aperture blades	Mav	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	7	04-23-2015 10:18 AM
Stuck Blades	opfor	Pentax Medium Format	4	03-15-2011 12:50 PM

04-02-2018, 05:21 PM	#2
monochrome Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Working From Home Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 26,276	Originally posted by Ronald Oakes My old SMC Takumar 24mm lens has finally got stuck blades. They were always slow opening , but it has progressed to the point now of not opening or closing hardly at all......barely useable at all. I don't want a costly CLA and would like to do this myself if it isn't too hard. Problem is I cant find any info directly related to this lens. Should I try this on my own ? I do have appropriate tools , just don't know where to start on this one.....Any Help is much appreciated. If you want it done right - if you want another 50 years from the lens - have Eric do a CLA. You should really disassemble the mount and aperture mechanism (remove and clean the blades individually) and as long as you have the lens open, lubnricate the helicoid and adjust the colimation. That particular lens is worth a $50 CLA.

04-02-2018, 05:25 PM	#3
Ronald Oakes Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Virginia Posts: 1,582 Original Poster	Originally posted by monochrome If you want it done right - if you want another 50 years from the lens - have Eric do a CLA. You should really disassemble the mount and aperture mechanism (remove and clean the blades individually) and as long as you have the lens open, lubnricate the helicoid and adjust the colimation. That particular lens is worth a $50 CLA. Last time I checked , Eric was taking a break ? Has he resumed repairs ? Last CLA was $65 from Eric also.

04-02-2018, 05:31 PM - 1 Like	#4
monochrome Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Working From Home Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 26,276	Originally posted by Ronald Oakes Last time I checked , Eric was taking a break ? Has he resumed repairs ? Last CLA was $65 from Eric also. AFAIK he is working. He repaired a dropped FA43 for me last month (thankfully not 0000831) and he has 2 Asahiflexes for CLA ATM.

04-02-2018, 09:37 PM	#5
Kozlok Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Albuquerque Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,148	Originally posted by monochrome AFAIK he is working. He repaired a dropped FA43 for me last month (thankfully not 0000831) and he has 2 Asahiflexes for CLA ATM. Oooh, that’s the second oldest 43 I know of. Mine is 0000646.

04-03-2018, 12:08 AM	#6
tromboads Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Melbs Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,240	Yes there is hope! They are really simple to service. But since you appear apprehensive, go find a broken SMC tak to practice with! The aperture mechanism if I remember correctly sits at the back, you only have to remove one combined element group and then you have access to it. It's usually just a matter of taking the blades out, and cleaning them with grog, take your time, put it back together and BAM! When you mean barely moving at all, even when the aperture is set to "M" Cheers, You can do it.