What are the Best Repair Tools for Vintage Lenses

► Lens Sucker: amzn.to/374BjuZ
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► Filter Wrench S size: amzn.to/3pZjwhl
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► Vacuum Pads: amzn.to/3l0pXgh
► Large Rocket Blaster: amzn.to/33g61jA
► precision screwdriver: amzn.to/3qaNKOC
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►Lens Spanner Wrench: amzn.to/3m6m4rI
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[@MrPhins]

Great tips. Now, if you could link the product that finds all the screws that are somewhere on the floor in my work area it would be greatly appreciated.

[@bryanescalante2871]

Use a magnet

[@IdleSummer]

Shine a flashlight almost parallel to the floor so that the screws throw long shadows across the ground.

[@voxelboardsofficial]

When I worked in a welding shop, they had a sort of magnetic broom that looked kinda like a thicc swiffer that they used to pick up hardware

[@cheezyasfvck]

I have one of those lens spanners, they're awful. I've scratched multiple front rings due to it coming loose and slipping. I wouldn't recommend them as they're fiddly, take ages to get the right spacing, they don't stay in position, and they slip easily. The rubber vacuum pads or the compass type spanner seems like a much safer alternative, I'll have to get some. A good set of correctly fitting screwdrivers is also essential to prevent stripping screws, especially with really brittle helios screws. There's been many times when I thought a screw was stuck but immediatly came undone when I changed to a different sized screwdriver.

[@rerewewrwrwrw]

100% agree. I've actually found that using calipers/verniers is better for the small amount of force that is actually required to open most retaining rings, so it hopefully won't damage the measuring tool

[@lensineer]

I work in cinema optics development and we use this type of opener. tinyurl.com/y2zbbkm4 Never had any problems and for diameters we use, there isn't really another good option.

[@cheezyasfvck]

@@lensineer The one you linked is the exact one I have! I've found it to be a pain, but I'm only using it on smaller diameter (

[@lensineer]

@@cheezyasfvck I know that problem. (we also do rehousings of vintage lenses) Our mechanics use just a drop of acetone, letting it seep in the thread. Normally this is enough to get the thread going (even on very old lenses).

[@cheezyasfvck]

@@lensineer I'll have to try that next time. Thanks for the tip! :)

[@tomasglavina9952]

When working on the focusing helicoids a digital caliper is a must, measure everything before disassembling (infinity, MFD...) and after reassembly, saves a lot of "testing". Micro "pointy" tweezers are a must when working with aperture blades.

[@saganandroid4175]

Can you provide some links for what you personally use?

[@astanisystems]

Nice video! I'm glad that there are people out there saving older lenses and teaching DIY lens cleaning or repair.

[@timskinnercanada]

Excellent recommendations Mathieu. I would only add a bottle of acetone for when screws and securing rings are glued in place - as they so often are.

[@MathieuStern]

great tip !!!

[@DixonLu]

I use a rocket blower with an air filter on the intake end to ensure I am not blowing MORE dust into something esp when working on camera internals.

[@patriziodalessandro1693]

I agree. The VSGO V-B02 which I bought last year is much better. Filter and two nozzles with different lenghts

[@randyhendrickson6524]

I've never had a problem in all the work I've done. If it did happen, I'd just blow another puff and its gone.

[@patriziodalessandro1693]

@@randyhendrickson6524 I agree with you that we are verging on a manic behaviour and I have also heard people suggest to lubricate lenses and cameras with a good dose of WD40 spray reporting that it had miracolous effects, but the idea of a blower with a filter is to avoid sandblasting the surface of the lens in case you draw inside the blower some bigger particles (deliberately exaggerated, but there is some sense behind it). The exit speed of the air blown at the nozzle mouth is quite high...(with the one I mentioned you even get five replacement filters included in the package)

[@kohala1815]

I noticed the recommended screwdrivers are not magnetic. Wouldn’t magnetic ones provide an extra bit of security and practicality, or are non-magnetic actually better or preferable for some reason?

[@Left-Earth]

_"Open lens surgery."_ *"The camera doctor will see you, now."* 📷👨‍⚕️

[@patriziodalessandro1693]

You can buy the lens sucker kit from Japan Hobby Tools too. Did you try to push again the pear when you want to release the lens...?

[@Needacreate]

Instructive, lucidly presented, and fun to watch - as usual, I'm tempted to add. Greatly appreciated, Mathieu.👍

[@loukashareangas4420]

Sadly, the rubber cones (the ones you call vacuum pads) are way overpriced for what they are... You can get equivalent functionality items in the plumbing supplies section of a home improvement store. It bugs me that anything related to photography instantly gets a 10x price boost.

[@MathieuStern]

Sadly, many people don't have the curiosity or time to check for the cheap option, thats why I started a channel about vintage lenses :))

[@lmckay8881]

Try working on watches. The tools made for that trade are also very expensive.

[@patriziodalessandro1693]

Did you try checking the price offered by Japan Hobby Tools. This kit is quite good but will not help with bigger sizes. For that there is another kit (grey rubber).

[@brandonblue5190]

i agree! So can you direct me to a tool for this please. Thanks in advance!

[@saganandroid4175]

@@patriziodalessandro1693 Japan Hobby Tools ... is that an Amazon seller or... do they have their own site for N. Americans?

[@paolomesseca8679]

Thank you very much Mathieu: I am preparing the disassembling of dirty Summar Lens

[@patriziodalessandro1693]

Better buy a lot of lint free pads. Sooner or later your microfiber cloth will eat up the dirt and rest assured it will scratch your lens (unless you throw it away after you clean each single lens...). Having tried the 0.5 micron thickness Chinese ones, which dissolve into thin air just by looking at them, I suggest you look for a better product.

[@messylaura]

i also like toothpicks if you dont have grip cups for continuing to unscrew lens rings after the spanner has loosened it, less chance of scratching a lens if you slip.

[@asmrcuriositycabinet3143]

Getting my Credit card and visiting the description links after I finished the video.

[@Lpool-mx6rl]

Great video idea. Useful stuff mate.

[@MathieuStern]

thanks a lot

[@tasteinparis7138]

All the stuff I never knew i needed ! Thanks !

[@mikeno62]

That was a great presentation Mathieu :-)

[@MathieuStern]

Glad you liked it! I know you are the Master of the subject !

[@computationalerror69]

@@MathieuStern legend

[@MrSpartan99]

I recently bought an “ugly” lens from KEH and it needs cleaning, I was intimidated to do it myself but not anymore thank you!

[@sacardevos]

Nice. Thanks. Do you use special grease for the focus ring?

[@jbnitpou9942]

Merci Mathieu ..... toujours aussi bien tes vidéos ..... 👍👍👍👍 Ce matos ressemble beaucoup à ce que l’on utilise en horlogerie, mais avec quelques nuances ......

[@MathieuStern]

Merci JB

[@jbnitpou9942]

De rien, c’est à toi qu’on peut dire merci ....

[@CarlosJimenezGuerra]

Other tool that I think it's very useful is the filter thread repair tool... Many vintage lenses come with the filter thread bended or damaged.

[@MathieuStern]

yes !! do you have a link to a good one ?

[@CarlosJimenezGuerra]

@@MathieuStern I think this may work fine www.amazon.es/dp/B07NJS1RML/ref=cm_sw_r_wa_apa_fabc_lYLVFb56C8HSG but in my opinion all are the same with other brand.

[@loukashareangas4420]

I also came to the comments for this!

[@djchips]

Yes, the lens vise is excellent for repairing slight to moderate filter thread damage! But it must be used with care to not do further damage.

[@ChrisSpeddings]

Those filter wrenches look so useful! Definitely getting some for my Kit Bag! Cheers.

[@MathieuStern]

They are!

[@mixeddrinks8100]

@@MathieuStern is the friction pad better or just works better since not size oriented?

[@patriziodalessandro1693]

Neewer sells a kit with four different sizes (two pairs each)

[@FelipeTrotamundos]

you make it look so easy, I'm trying to open mine with the rubber tool but with no success!! is there a trick? I have the SIGMA 56mm lens for E-mount

[@Warren3carpentry]

Perfect exactly what I was looking for!

[@JeriyantBaramcity]

It's a difficult Restoration 😨. Congratulations to you my friend 👍👍👍

[@MathieuStern]

Thank you 👍

[@Raine-Cat]

Was the led torch a UV light or just a blue LED?

[@patriziodalessandro1693]

Personally I do not like the Vessel screwdrivers you are showing. Bought them and then bought the Vessel 9902 and 9903 kits. I get a better grip with those. Maybe I have big hands...A good alternative for people living in the US is Moody's JIS kit.

[@Biggles404]

Well that's my Christmas list sorted

[@philmtx3fr]

Very good job Matthieu ( ou très bon travail vu ton petit accent :)). I discovered one or 2 tools I didn’t know. Thx for that.

[@rogerb5615]

Agree with all you recommend, Mathieu, but must say that the Germans make the BEST micro screwdrivers, both in terms of precision of the tips and of durability.

[@MathieuStern]

Thanks for the info!

[@williamofford]

@@MathieuStern but they are a different tip geometry, you need JIT tips for Japanese cameras German for others.

[@harryflashman4542]

@@williamofford Phillips comes close to JIS, but Japanese are best. High quality screwdrivers are an excellent time saving investment.

[@LyudmilaRGVK]

Where does one get a blue LED light dirt detector?

[@jj963963jj]

Very handy tools, thank you 🎀

[@guerramar]

Thanks a lot Matieu...very interesting and usefull

[@chrisgehteuchnixan748]

Can you make a tutorial to repair an Agfa Silette? That were awesome. I need help please. In 3 days maybe???

[@markfreedman2470]

Superb video. Thanks. Much appreciated.

[@vincenzotarantini8161]

and to clean (wash) the lenses?

[@NirnBootMod]

I have this very tiny Pentax 110 18mm PAN FOCUS lens that has nothing on it but 2 dots on the bottom. Can I open this? I gotta get rid of dust and fungus. Thanks. I am guessing all it needs is the compass, but this thing is so tiny its hard to tell if it can be opened as I wouldn't be surprised if it was made in a way where it could not be.

[@buddyfx7026]

What a beautiful video, thank you.

[@MathieuStern]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@dubanhernandocastanedamora7196]

Wonderful to share this information

[@GodsPoetryProductions]

Thanks I have a lot of old lens.

[@BeauKooJack1]

is the blue light a black light?

[@ZecaTrindade]

UV light do the same, or is the same that Blue Light, for dirt detecting?

[@soloalpinist]

What kind of Blue LED light is that (don't see a link)? Thanks

[@sano4kalife]

Отличная работа! Спасибо)))

[@j.m.w.5064]

If aperture blades dont move when the aperture ring is turned - is here a chance to clean or straighten them?

[@Gerard-hu6kp]

Coatings on filters are very sensitive Filters need careful handling all the time.

[@ranziphotography7540]

this gonna be very tough to get in india :/

[@TheSugus38]

@Mathieu : pour les tourne-vis, il y a chez tes voisins suisses la marque PB Swiss Tools qui en fait d'excellents !

[@Botanic2000]

Are they JIS standard ones?

[@joseacarrasm]

Jejeje you modernize your kit from the hot water and paper 😉

[@tedycristian6599]

Nice video man

[@MathieuStern]

Glad you enjoyed

[@hayooyoutubecreator8930]

That vacuum pad tho... shit I need it.

[@kellylavoy6566]

Can I just hire you to clean my old sears lens?

[@tinpl8r]

Is the blue torch light a UV torch?

[@MathieuStern]

its supposed to be a UV torch but it's not, it's enough to check for dirt and dust but it will not work for UV sensitive stuff

[@tututaurus]

Nice. But I think everything in this video costs as much as my hole equipment :D

[@MathieuStern]

did you check the links, most of it is under $30

[@user-to6kg5wb5r]

Очень полезные инструменты

[@MathieuStern]

спасибо, надеюсь подпишетесь :)

[@user-to6kg5wb5r]

@@MathieuStern уже подписан,у Вас очень интересный канал 👍

[@mrmagoo916]

Where can I get the Japanese precision screwdriver set, please

[@sclogse1]

ebay

[@saganandroid4175]

Amazon

[@gsolmott]

🎉

[@davidv.kutaliya]

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@razzman038]

What about cotton buds and alcohol hehehehe

[@DanielTroyer]

No microfiber cloths! Kim wipes and ROR, etc. only!

[@saganandroid4175]

@DanielTroyer what are ROR and Kim ? Never heard of them.

[@zumosvanchhawng942]

Like.. 👍👍👍

[@miam1074]

the microfiber cloth is really bad for lens cleaning. using it is the easiest way to remove any lens coating fast. it has an amazing 'grip' and will leave cleaning marks on the glass. please do not recommend it. it is however very effective to clean the barrel of a lens, esp. if it is slightly damp.

[@jacobwarren1985]

I'd love to hear what tool you suggest to use instead of a microfibre cloth to clean a lens surface? Thank you!

[@saganandroid4175]

Well what is proven to be safe then?

[@nmicic]

No clue for camera, but for telescope I use kimtech dry wipes

[@beelzking]

​@@jacobwarren1985use q tips and lens cleaning tissues

[@HandlebecauseIMust]

​@jacobwarren1985 I know this is old but I love it when people provide a problem but no solution.

[@akhyarrayhka4048]

remember, lens fungus is infectious

[@akhyarrayhka4048]

my minolta grew a fungus so badly within 1 week because infected by another lens, the culprit is none other than the cleaning swab that were used multiple times, we use zeiss lens cleaner and 90% alcohol for cleaning purpose and subject the lens to sunlight for preventive measures. another possibility developing fungi as it may not kill the spores.

[@saganandroid4175]

It's been >2 years since you posted this. Are you still using these tools? Which ones have proven to be... undesirable?

[@MathieuStern]

The suction cup tool is extremely useful The rubber rings also The screwdrivers could be better if they were magnetized What tool do you think are less interesting now ?

[@saganandroid4175]

@@MathieuStern the various lens forums have warned against most tools sold on Amazon, but especially those lens spanners. They imply they're rickety enough that you're more apt to damage a lens.

[@MathieuStern]

I didn’t had a problem yet

[@tomallen6073]

Nothing but advertisement.

[@Democratiser]

I disagree. This is a very informative video - and have often wondered what tools were used.