Missing ball bearing.

J.Scott · 12-25-2009, 11:50 AM

Long story short - I lost the tiny ball bearing that rides under the aperture ring of my SMC M 50mm F2 lens.

Yes, alcohol was involved!

Never give yourself a haircut or dissect a camera lens after three alcoholic beverages of any kind!
I ought to know, I've done both!

Any idea where I could find a teeny, tiny ball bearing to replace the missing one?

While I wait for suggestions I mix another cocktail!

I'm no good the way I am!

wallyb · 12-25-2009, 12:20 PM

Funnily enough, just yesterday I decided to take a lens apart after a few beers myself, and the ball bearing dropped out. The difference between us is that I don't know how to put it back into the lens, so it is basically useless to me. I could theoretically send it to you, but I don't know if it's the proper diameter.

Happy Festivus.

**monochrome** · 12-25-2009, 01:03 PM

Eric might have some

MattGunn · 12-25-2009, 01:12 PM

Alcochol doesn't have to be involved to lose these bearings, I have lost a few whilst sober but I have lost bore whilst merry...
They tend to be between 1 and 1.5mm diameter depending on the lens. I got a load of them out of an old ball races with a dremmel type tool.

Lloydy · 12-25-2009, 04:45 PM

micro-tools.de

Blue · 12-25-2009, 04:57 PM

Originally posted by J.Scott

Never give yourself a haircut or dissect a camera lens after three alcoholic beverages of any kind!
I ought to know, I've done both!

How did that one work out?

rhodopsin · 12-25-2009, 04:59 PM

Originally posted by J.Scott

Long story short - I lost the tiny ball bearing that rides under the aperture ring of my SMC M 50mm F2 lens.

Yes, alcohol was involved!

Never give yourself a haircut or dissect a camera lens after three alcoholic beverages of any kind!
I ought to know, I've done both!

the solution is to drink a fourth

Originally posted by J.Scott

Any idea where I could find a teeny, tiny ball bearing to replace the missing one?

While I wait for suggestions I mix another cocktail!

I'm no good the way I am!

There is one that will fit perfectly very close...sweep the area with a magnet to find it. I never touch alcohol. Cheers!

J.Scott · 12-25-2009, 05:01 PM

Originally posted by rhodopsin

the solution is to drink a fourth

...done!

There is one that will fit perfectly very close...sweep the area with a magnet to find it. I never touch alcohol. Cheers!

Tried the magnet, too. No luck.

I never touch it either. I just pour it down my throat.

J.Scott · 12-25-2009, 05:02 PM

Originally posted by Blue

How did that one work out? :Hysterical:

I wore a hat ..... for a month.

Mechan1k · 12-26-2009, 04:25 AM

Who needs a ball bearing ... you now have an nice infinitely variable aperture ring ... a lot of people would kill for one. Handy really.

J.Scott · 12-26-2009, 05:33 AM

Originally posted by Mechan1k

Who needs a ball bearing ... you now have an nice infinitely variable aperture ring ... a lot of people would kill for one. Handy really.

Actually, not. Variable yes, but only if I lose the little spring, too. If the aperture ring is turned while the lens is on the camera it just snaps back to f2.0. More frustrating than handy, really. In theory I could hold the ring while focusing and pressing the shutter button, but need to sprout a third hand first.

Vylen · 12-26-2009, 05:36 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by J.Scott

Actually, not. Variable yes, but only if I lose the little spring, too. If the aperture ring is turned while the lens is on the camera it just snaps back to f2.0. More frustrating than handy, really. In theory I could hold the ring while focusing and pressing the shutter button, but need to sprout a third hand first.

you did camera work and gave yourself a haircut while drunk...

maybe if you drink some more, you'll get that third hand...

**Just1MoreDave** · 01-01-2010, 12:27 PM

I just measured the bearing from an A50/2, and it's about 1mm. The older lenses have larger bearings that seem to provide a nicer action, but you can't go too much larger than the original one. A 1.2mm bearing worked in the A50/2. Here's a place you can buy various sizes:

https://www.micro-tools.com/store/SearchByKeyword.aspx?word=bearings

Lloyd had a link above to their German site.

J.Scott · 01-01-2010, 06:54 PM

Originally posted by Just1MoreDave

I just measured the bearing from an A50/2, and it's about 1mm. The older lenses have larger bearings that seem to provide a nicer action, but you can't go too much larger than the original one. A 1.2mm bearing worked in the A50/2. Here's a place you can buy various sizes:

https://www.micro-tools.com/store/SearchByKeyword.aspx?word=bearings

Lloyd had a link above to their German site.

Thanks for the link!

I ordered 5 different sizes of ball bearings. Sounds excessive but at $1/pack it is cheaper than chucking the lens and buying a 'new' one.

Plus, I ordered a bunch of other stuff, too!

**Just1MoreDave** · 01-01-2010, 07:27 PM

Originally posted by J.Scott

Thanks for the link!

I ordered 5 different sizes of ball bearings. Sounds excessive but at $1/pack it is cheaper than chucking the lens and buying a 'new' one.

Plus, I ordered a bunch of other stuff, too!

I will PM you if I need bearings, then.

12-25-2009, 11:50 AM	#1
J.Scott Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,675	Missing ball bearing. Long story short - I lost the tiny ball bearing that rides under the aperture ring of my SMC M 50mm F2 lens. Yes, alcohol was involved! Never give yourself a haircut or dissect a camera lens after three alcoholic beverages of any kind! I ought to know, I've done both! Any idea where I could find a teeny, tiny ball bearing to replace the missing one? While I wait for suggestions I mix another cocktail! I'm no good the way I am!

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12-25-2009, 12:20 PM	#2
wallyb Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: The Untied States Photos: Albums Posts: 1,881	Funnily enough, just yesterday I decided to take a lens apart after a few beers myself, and the ball bearing dropped out. The difference between us is that I don't know how to put it back into the lens, so it is basically useless to me. I could theoretically send it to you, but I don't know if it's the proper diameter. Happy Festivus.

12-25-2009, 01:03 PM	#3
monochrome Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Working From Home Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 26,276	Eric might have some

12-25-2009, 01:12 PM	#4
MattGunn Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Wales Photos: Gallery Posts: 347	Alcochol doesn't have to be involved to lose these bearings, I have lost a few whilst sober but I have lost bore whilst merry... They tend to be between 1 and 1.5mm diameter depending on the lens. I got a load of them out of an old ball races with a dremmel type tool.

12-25-2009, 04:45 PM	#5
Lloydy Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Shropshire, UK Posts: 1,114	micro-tools.de

12-25-2009, 04:57 PM	#6
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	Originally posted by J.Scott Never give yourself a haircut or dissect a camera lens after three alcoholic beverages of any kind! I ought to know, I've done both! How did that one work out?

12-25-2009, 04:59 PM	#7
rhodopsin Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Deep Forest Posts: 643	Originally posted by J.Scott Long story short - I lost the tiny ball bearing that rides under the aperture ring of my SMC M 50mm F2 lens. Yes, alcohol was involved! Never give yourself a haircut or dissect a camera lens after three alcoholic beverages of any kind! I ought to know, I've done both! the solution is to drink a fourth Originally posted by J.Scott Any idea where I could find a teeny, tiny ball bearing to replace the missing one? While I wait for suggestions I mix another cocktail! I'm no good the way I am! There is one that will fit perfectly very close...sweep the area with a magnet to find it. I never touch alcohol. Cheers!

12-25-2009, 05:01 PM	#8
J.Scott Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,675 Original Poster	Originally posted by rhodopsin the solution is to drink a fourth ...done! There is one that will fit perfectly very close...sweep the area with a magnet to find it. I never touch alcohol. Cheers! Tried the magnet, too. No luck. I never touch it either. I just pour it down my throat.

12-25-2009, 05:02 PM	#9
J.Scott Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,675 Original Poster	Originally posted by Blue How did that one work out? :Hysterical: I wore a hat ..... for a month.

12-26-2009, 04:25 AM	#10
Mechan1k Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 2,891	Who needs a ball bearing ... you now have an nice infinitely variable aperture ring ... a lot of people would kill for one. Handy really.

12-26-2009, 05:33 AM	#11
J.Scott Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,675 Original Poster	Originally posted by Mechan1k Who needs a ball bearing ... you now have an nice infinitely variable aperture ring ... a lot of people would kill for one. Handy really. Actually, not. Variable yes, but only if I lose the little spring, too. If the aperture ring is turned while the lens is on the camera it just snaps back to f2.0. More frustrating than handy, really. In theory I could hold the ring while focusing and pressing the shutter button, but need to sprout a third hand first.

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12-26-2009, 05:36 AM - 1 Like	#12
Vylen Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Sydney, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,262	Originally posted by J.Scott Actually, not. Variable yes, but only if I lose the little spring, too. If the aperture ring is turned while the lens is on the camera it just snaps back to f2.0. More frustrating than handy, really. In theory I could hold the ring while focusing and pressing the shutter button, but need to sprout a third hand first. you did camera work and gave yourself a haircut while drunk... maybe if you drink some more, you'll get that third hand...

01-01-2010, 12:27 PM	#13
Just1MoreDave Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Aurora, CO Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,340	I just measured the bearing from an A50/2, and it's about 1mm. The older lenses have larger bearings that seem to provide a nicer action, but you can't go too much larger than the original one. A 1.2mm bearing worked in the A50/2. Here's a place you can buy various sizes: https://www.micro-tools.com/store/SearchByKeyword.aspx?word=bearings Lloyd had a link above to their German site.

01-01-2010, 06:54 PM	#14
J.Scott Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,675 Original Poster	Originally posted by Just1MoreDave I just measured the bearing from an A50/2, and it's about 1mm. The older lenses have larger bearings that seem to provide a nicer action, but you can't go too much larger than the original one. A 1.2mm bearing worked in the A50/2. Here's a place you can buy various sizes: https://www.micro-tools.com/store/SearchByKeyword.aspx?word=bearings Lloyd had a link above to their German site. Thanks for the link! I ordered 5 different sizes of ball bearings. Sounds excessive but at $1/pack it is cheaper than chucking the lens and buying a 'new' one. Plus, I ordered a bunch of other stuff, too!

01-01-2010, 07:27 PM	#15
Just1MoreDave Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Aurora, CO Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,340	Originally posted by J.Scott Thanks for the link! I ordered 5 different sizes of ball bearings. Sounds excessive but at $1/pack it is cheaper than chucking the lens and buying a 'new' one. Plus, I ordered a bunch of other stuff, too! I will PM you if I need bearings, then.