I think I have Sticky Aperture Blades

Martin England

Martin England

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Hi All
Has anybody had problems with a sticky aperture Blade? I think that’s my lens problem
I’ve noticed on my Nikon 300mm. If shooting wide open alls well and exposure is fine.
But if I shoot at smaller apertures, shots are well over exposed by +1.5 to +2.0.
I will be sending the lens of to fixation in the morning, but was wandering, has anybody else had a similar problem?
Any ideas on cost for repairs maybe?

Martin
 
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If your body has a DOF preview button, try stopping the lens down using it and see if the aperture blades move (you will hear a small click, and see the VF getting darker). If it does, your blades are unlikely to be stuck.

If that doesn't convince you, go by how much DOF you have in the resultant picture.
 
I have an old 35-70mm with the same problem, it's more of a backup/paper weight now. It's ok wide open and down to f/5.6 but after that I use the dof preview then take the shot.
 
I've got an m42 lens with gubbed aperture blades - it will happen to anything mechanical if it's left unused for long enough.
 
trencheel303 said:
If your body has a DOF preview button, try stopping the lens down using it and see if the aperture blades move (you will hear a small click, and see the VF getting darker). If it does, your blades are unlikely to be stuck.
Click to expand...


I have tried the DOF preview at f22 and all seemed OK to me. :shrug:
 
Hmm, might not be the aperture blades then? I'm no expert on stuck aperture blades, just trying to use a bit of common sense... :thinking:

If you take a photo, say at f/8, with the business end of the lens facing you :nuts: can you see the aperture blades snap shut for a split second?
 
I don't think you need to stop down that much, anything smaller than wide open and you'll hear it click I think?

Might be an idea to show post some example photos which show the problem with the EXIF?
 
When I first noticed the problem I compared it to my old 50 1.8 by holding the blades open by the lever then letting go and seeing how fast they snapped shut. The 50 was fast almost instant the 35-70 was sluggish/slow.I'm guessing the shutter fires before the blades have closed up enough causing the over exposure.
 
trencheel303 said:
If you take a photo, say at f/8, with the business end of the lens facing you :nuts: can you see the aperture blades snap shut for a split second?
Click to expand...


ok just did, and yes i could see aperture blades snap shut.

The aperture blades still work, but i think just a fraction slow.
 
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In which case I'd suggest Foggy4ever is on the money. We could do with seeing some shots and EXIF info.
 
trencheel303 said:
In which case I'd suggest Foggy4ever is on the money. We could do with seeing some shots and EXIF info.
Click to expand...


I will sort some shots out for info.
I have some from this afternoon f2.8 fine f5.6 overexposed by +1.5
If i dont do tonight i will do in the morning
 
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Heres a couple of shots taken this afternoon.

Both hand held in back garden.

1st @ f2.8 2nd @ f5.6

As can be seen @ 5.6 is overexposed



28.jpg




56.jpg
 
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Hi
Just had today the estimate from Fixation.

The problem is a faulty CONTACT FPC and needs to be replaced

Were abouts is that on the lens? :shrug:

Does it involve a lot of work? :shrug: me dont know

Martin
 
All fixed now :)

Great service from Fixation.

They recieved, repaired and posted back to me all in a week.
And they had to order a part from Nikon too. :thumbs:

Should be with me tomorrow or Monday :)

Martin

Hope the weather stays good
 
I know I'm talking to my self on this thread, but here goes anyway

Got the lens back today fixed

But its not fixed and the lens has exactly the same problem

Well done Fixation :cuckoo:
 
JustMe said:
I know I'm talking to my self on this thread, but here goes anyway

Got the lens back today fixed

But its not fixed and the lens has exactly the same problem

Well done Fixation :cuckoo:
Click to expand...

Fixation are usually good (I recommend them as they are quicker than Nikon) but they dropped a ******* on one of my repairs a while back. I ended up sending them a bunch of kit so they could figure it out. Still couldn't find it with a bunch of bodies, and a set of TCs!!:lol:

In the end they figured it out, and did it for free just to get rid of me I think :nuts:
 
puddleduck said:
Fixation are usually good (I recommend them as they are quicker than Nikon) but they dropped a ******* on one of my repairs a while back. I ended up sending them a bunch of kit so they could figure it out. Still couldn't find it with a bunch of bodies, and a set of TCs!!:lol:

In the end they figured it out, and did it for free just to get rid of me I think :nuts:
Click to expand...


I have used Fixation before, likewise no problems and good service.
I will phone them Monday and send it back another £23 postage each way :naughty: When it comes back total postage near on £100 :thumbsdown:
Dont they check when they have repaired a lens, to make sure alls fixed?
I would assume they would, but it appears they didnt :shrug:
 
I just had phone call from Fixation.
Its now fixed and being sent back to me today. :) at no extra cost. :)
The problem was the Diaphragm (think thats how you spell it).
Anybody know what this involves? The young lady who phoned me had no idea, me neither. :shrug:


Martin
 
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