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Thread: Universal Heliar - Soft focus mechanism servicing

  1. #21

    Re: Universal Heliar - Soft focus mechanism servicing

    Hello,
    I've read the thread carefully and hoped to find help here.
    I recently bought a Heliar like Steven (unmarked Universal). Unfortunately, it was hit hard during transport and now has a dent in the soft focus ring. The soft focus ring is hard to turn, but it works.
    I leave it that way for now, because the risk is too great that more will break. I want to clean the heliar, but I can't open it. I am afraid of doing something wrong.
    The rear lens came off easily! I removed the screw on the aperture ring. How's it going from here? Do I have to unscrew the threaded ring at the back (in front of the aperture)? It's very stuck, that's why I'm asking about it here. Thank you for your support.

  2. #22

    Join Date
    Dec 2019
    Location
    Tokyo, Japan
    Posts
    311

    Re: Universal Heliar - Soft focus mechanism servicing

    You need to remove the screw that holds the front barrel and the inner tube barrel.
    Click image for larger version. 

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    Click image for larger version. 

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    It’s not necessary to remove the aperture retaining ring lock screw to disassemble.
    I don’t recommend to do so since the retaining ring has a dent to accept the lock screw right at the position.
    You should mark the dent position of the retaining ring before you unscrew the lock screw!!!
    Otherwise you may break the lock screw unable to match to the dent and trying to screw in the perpendicular threads of the retaining ring by excess torques like me and the only recovery is to remove the lock screw by milling the hole.

  3. #23

    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    Denmark
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    6,246

    Re: Universal Heliar - Soft focus mechanism servicing

    Very good suggestions. I know “milling”sounds beyond the average DIY enthusiast, but drilling out is a lot more amateur friendly. There is nothing odious in cutting a slightly larger thread!

  4. #24

    Re: Universal Heliar - Soft focus mechanism servicing

    Many thanks for your help.

    To see the Heliar like this:
    Click image for larger version. 

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    ... do I have to unscrew this threaded ring first:
    Click image for larger version. 

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    ?

  5. #25

    Join Date
    Dec 2019
    Location
    Tokyo, Japan
    Posts
    311

    Re: Universal Heliar - Soft focus mechanism servicing

    In regards to the second picture, no, don’t remove the retaining ring that holds the aperture blades.
    The retaining ring is set at the right position just to allow the aperture blades turn back and forth smoothly.
    That’s what I meant to your question. Otherwise, you will mess up.

    Just remove the big screw in the middle of the first picture, not the one you are pointing at by the driver. That little screw is the lock screw to hold the retaining ring just right at the position. You will need to remove the retaining ring and adjust the blade slot ring dent positioned right (the red arrow in your first picture) to accept the outermost screw that controls the aperture blade movements IF you turn back and forth the aperture blades AFTER you remove the screw here, because the dent position MOVES slightly when you turn the aperture blades then the blade slot ring moves and the f4.5 sign and the pointer won’t match when aperture blades are wide open.

    Click image for larger version. 

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    You want to remove the front element from the middle element, right??
    Last edited by mhayashi; 28-Jun-2021 at 16:50.

  6. #26

    Re: Universal Heliar - Soft focus mechanism servicing

    Thanks again for the answer!

    Click image for larger version. 

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    This is my lens with the only screw visible. This comes out easily. I leave it in there!
    I want to clean all glasses.
    The rear element is already unscrewed.
    So what's the next step?

  7. #27

    Join Date
    Dec 2019
    Location
    Tokyo, Japan
    Posts
    311

    Re: Universal Heliar - Soft focus mechanism servicing

    Once you unscrew it, turn the outermost barrel unclockwise.
    Click image for larger version. 

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    Don’t move the aperture blades.

  8. #28

    Re: Universal Heliar - Soft focus mechanism servicing

    How can I do that without loosening the screw?
    Click image for larger version. 

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  9. #29

    Join Date
    Dec 2019
    Location
    Tokyo, Japan
    Posts
    311

    Re: Universal Heliar - Soft focus mechanism servicing

    You need to remove that screw first.

  10. #30

    Re: Universal Heliar - Soft focus mechanism servicing

    OK - I'll try later. This thread warns against not loosening this screw. That's why I was irritated and hesitant.

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