That $10 ultrasonic cleaner from a garage sale in Reno saved my butt on a sticky aperture | Camera Repairers - Freelance Forum - The Community for Independent Professionals
That $10 ultrasonic cleaner from a garage sale in Reno saved my butt on a sticky aperture
I always figured cheap ultrasonic cleaners were junk, just toys for jewelry and maybe glasses. A guy at a garage sale in Reno sold me one for $10 about six months ago, and I almost passed on it. But I had a Nikon 50mm f/1.4 with an aperture ring that was gummed up so bad it wouldn't stop down past f/4. I'd tried q-tips and alcohol, which just made it worse and left lint everywhere. I filled the tank with a little warm water and a drop of dish soap, set the lens barrel parts in, and ran it for three cycles of 3 minutes each. Pulled them out, rinsed with distilled water, let them dry, and the ring snapped like new. I was shocked. Now I use it on every sticky helicoid and leaf shutter I get. Anyone else have a cheap tool that turned out to be way better than the fancy stuff?