Thanks so much for posting this, took mine apart about three years ago and have had endless frustrations trying to line it up again to the point where it’s just been stored for a ‘future’ time , thanks to your video about 20 minutes has seen it fully operational , thanks again.
Great! That's encouraging to hear. I'm glad that made sense. I realized while just rewatching this now that my explanation was not necessarily super clear, so I'm glad you were still able to follow along. My dad had found extensive written out instructions online that were even more complicated, and he had given up after many attempts... so once I figured it out (from playing with it for a few minutes), I knew I should make a video to make it easier for people that found themselves in my dad's position. I think I only figured it out because of recently fixing infinity focus on other similarly structured lenses (where I had hours of frustration).
Jesus christ you dont know how GRATEFUL I am that you made this video for this pretty uncommon lens. I was struggling for a couple hours and on the verge of smashing my head through a wall.
Thankyou so much for this video! I inherited a pre 1950's version of this lens from my father and decided to clean it as the grease had failed and there was the beginning of fungus inside. I've cleaned plenty of other old lenses so how hard could this one be? I gave up after unscrewing bits and realizing this lens isn't like anything Ive dealt with before. Its now 8 am after trying all night using your technique I figured out how it goes together. For mine it was easier to add a white paint dot to the location of the inside 'wedge' on the back screw in bit and on the slot it will fall into as the arrows were not quite lined up due to it being so old. Then I worked out how many rotations needed to get it to all line up at the right spots once screwed in as it took over two rotations. I had to start just after infinity. I made sure my dots at the back stayed lined up and slowly and lightly screwed it all together while it was on its face. It strangely slotted together in such a precise way I'm in awe. Its clearly something cleverly designed to slot together and forcing it will never work. A light touch only. Even if I appreciate its workmanship I still hate it and I will never pull it apart again.
@@pastamatt Yes, I live less than a mile away from the Zeiss factory. But as you may know here is no consumer camera production any more since the 1990.
Thanks for the solution but there is a problem on my lens. One thread (open end on the focus helicoid) leads to an infinity focus around the 8 m mark while the next thread leads to a focus behind the infinity mark (that cannot be reached if the screw is inserted). There is not thread in between that would lead to infinity focus on the infinity mark on the ring. Is there another way to fine tune the infinity setting?
I wish I could understand what is that you do at the very beginning to make it in the right location. Then how easy is to clean the lens elements in this, should they have dirt or fungus on them?
Hey! Was hoping you could answer a question for me. I have this lens and plan on cleaning and applying new grease to the helicoid. You mentioned marking where they go together. I haven't disassembled the lens yet, but where exactly should I mark? Is it where it stops focusing at infinity or somewhere else? TIA!
Well, realistically on this particular lens, you wouldn't mark it. You would just remember exactly the position of the focus ring when the lens pulls into two pieces. If it is currently focusing well to infinity, then you would save yourself some trial and error. If it's not focusing well to infinity, just follow this video because it helps you to find that place for yourself. So, if it is currently good, remove that set screw on the side, then slowly rotate the focus ring away from inifinity with a bit of pressure so that you notice that moment when the lens is about to come into two pieces. Note what distance marker the red arrow is pointing at that moment.
@@pastamatt thank you for your detailed reply! It's much appreciated. Hopefully it will go smoothly. I'll keep what you've said, as well as the content in your video, in mind. Comments I've seen thus far make it seem pretty difficult so it's a bit daunting!
Hi, I am trying to put the two pieces together, but once I align them and I try to move the focus ring towards infinity, after a little movement there is a hard block. I am unable to retreat the front part far enough. It moves just a little. In fact, when I go into,opposite direction, the front part quickly comes out. I guess there is some interference with the aperture mechanism. What do you think? Thanks
Thank you for the video. I'm stuck at the point where I have merged the two pieces together, but when I turn the focus ring, it comes off track? Can you help me out with this?
Are you talking about when you try to merge the two pieces at 2:00 ? It does take a little wiggling and being able to feel whether it's grabbing as you hold it straight.
@@pastamatt thanks so much for replying back! Very much appreciated. The lens that I own is the Carl zeiss ddr 50mm 1.8. Its a bit different than yours. Do you know about this lens?
Thanks so much for posting this, took mine apart about three years ago and have had endless frustrations trying to line it up again to the point where it’s just been stored for a ‘future’ time , thanks to your video about 20 minutes has seen it fully operational , thanks again.
Great! That's encouraging to hear. I'm glad that made sense. I realized while just rewatching this now that my explanation was not necessarily super clear, so I'm glad you were still able to follow along. My dad had found extensive written out instructions online that were even more complicated, and he had given up after many attempts... so once I figured it out (from playing with it for a few minutes), I knew I should make a video to make it easier for people that found themselves in my dad's position. I think I only figured it out because of recently fixing infinity focus on other similarly structured lenses (where I had hours of frustration).
Jesus christ you dont know how GRATEFUL I am that you made this video for this pretty uncommon lens. I was struggling for a couple hours and on the verge of smashing my head through a wall.
Hahaha! I'm glad I made it then!
Same
I am so happy
after 4 hours of trying and 3 hours seaching in the world wide web, i finally find this video.
Thank you very much!!
Thank you! Finally I was able to understand this lens! I've had it in pieces in a box for about five years!
My pleasure! My dad was in the same situation. He mailed this to me because he was frustrated trying to get it back together after cleaning.
Really nice method. I was totally struggling with this assembly :-)
I'm glad it was helpful for someone!
Very helpful video! Thanks
Thank you! Used this video for my Biotar Semi-Autoversion
Cool, that's nice that it works for that one too!
Works superfine! Very very very great! Many thanks.
Awesome! I'm glad to hear it was helpful!
Lifesaverrrrr!!!
Haha! I'm glad it's useful!
Thankyou so much for this video! I inherited a pre 1950's version of this lens from my father and decided to clean it as the grease had failed and there was the beginning of fungus inside. I've cleaned plenty of other old lenses so how hard could this one be? I gave up after unscrewing bits and realizing this lens isn't like anything Ive dealt with before. Its now 8 am after trying all night using your technique I figured out how it goes together.
For mine it was easier to add a white paint dot to the location of the inside 'wedge' on the back screw in bit and on the slot it will fall into as the arrows were not quite lined up due to it being so old.
Then I worked out how many rotations needed to get it to all line up at the right spots once screwed in as it took over two rotations. I had to start just after infinity. I made sure my dots at the back stayed lined up and slowly and lightly screwed it all together while it was on its face. It strangely slotted together in such a precise way I'm in awe. Its clearly something cleverly designed to slot together and forcing it will never work. A light touch only. Even if I appreciate its workmanship I still hate it and I will never pull it apart again.
Thank you for the helpfull clip! Greetings from Jena, Germany :)
You're welcome! Wow, you are actually in Jena?
@@pastamatt Yes, I live less than a mile away from the Zeiss factory. But as you may know here is no consumer camera production any more since the 1990.
Thank youuuu
Many thanks. 😀😎
Bravo !!!!
Thanks for the solution but there is a problem on my lens. One thread (open end on the focus helicoid) leads to an infinity focus around the 8 m mark while the next thread leads to a focus behind the infinity mark (that cannot be reached if the screw is inserted). There is not thread in between that would lead to infinity focus on the infinity mark on the ring. Is there another way to fine tune the infinity setting?
I unscrewed the two parts of the focussing barrel and now cannot put them back together again. Any suggestions? I think I’ve damaged the threads.
I wish I could understand what is that you do at the very beginning to make it in the right location.
Then how easy is to clean the lens elements in this, should they have dirt or fungus on them?
Hey! Was hoping you could answer a question for me. I have this lens and plan on cleaning and applying new grease to the helicoid. You mentioned marking where they go together. I haven't disassembled the lens yet, but where exactly should I mark? Is it where it stops focusing at infinity or somewhere else? TIA!
Well, realistically on this particular lens, you wouldn't mark it. You would just remember exactly the position of the focus ring when the lens pulls into two pieces. If it is currently focusing well to infinity, then you would save yourself some trial and error. If it's not focusing well to infinity, just follow this video because it helps you to find that place for yourself. So, if it is currently good, remove that set screw on the side, then slowly rotate the focus ring away from inifinity with a bit of pressure so that you notice that moment when the lens is about to come into two pieces. Note what distance marker the red arrow is pointing at that moment.
@@pastamatt thank you for your detailed reply! It's much appreciated. Hopefully it will go smoothly. I'll keep what you've said, as well as the content in your video, in mind. Comments I've seen thus far make it seem pretty difficult so it's a bit daunting!
Hi, I am trying to put the two pieces together, but once I align them and I try to move the focus ring towards infinity, after a little movement there is a hard block. I am unable to retreat the front part far enough. It moves just a little. In fact, when I go into,opposite direction, the front part quickly comes out. I guess there is some interference with the aperture mechanism. What do you think? Thanks
Interesting... I'm not sure. Sorry.
Thank you for the video. I'm stuck at the point where I have merged the two pieces together, but when I turn the focus ring, it comes off track? Can you help me out with this?
Which part comes off track?
Are you talking about when you try to merge the two pieces at 2:00 ? It does take a little wiggling and being able to feel whether it's grabbing as you hold it straight.
@@pastamatt thanks so much for replying back! Very much appreciated. The lens that I own is the Carl zeiss ddr 50mm 1.8. Its a bit different than yours. Do you know about this lens?
@@jhaymeehizon8915 sorry, I've not had that lens. I'd like to own one, but I've never touched one.
@@pastamatt thanks anyways
I have this task to face tomorrow when my new grease arrives......
How did it go? I'm in the same boat you were 😬