Canon FD 35mm F/2.8 S.S.C. TS Tilt Shift Lens CLA

The full tear down of this unique tilt shift lens.

The Yongnuo YNE3-RX

View the photos from this post on Flickr. I just ordered a nice 1′ x 3′ Profoto strip softbox and want to put two speedlites in it for the upcoming anime convention Sakura-Con in Seattle, WA. The problem is I use two light modifiers and I have have two Yongnuo YN600EX-RT and one Canon 430EX II speedlites. How do […]

Yongnuo YN600EX-RT Speedlite and YN-E3RT Transmitter Tips

There is a lot of discussion about these products because they are cheap and often have problems. When they work they work great. When they don’t work, they suck. Here are two quick tips about these products. Tip #1 – If it isn’t working don’t be afraid to open it up and look for obvious […]

Canon Serenar 35mm f/3.5 Clean, Lubricate, Adjust (CLA)

This Canon Serenar 35mm f/3.5 is in nice condition, but the aperture ring is a little stiff. Plus, I’ve already cleaned the other two so I might as well do the entire set. I thought this one, being the smallest, would be the easiest. It wasn’t. I had a difficult time reassembling the rear section. […]

Canon Serenar 85mm f/2.0 Clean, Lubricate, Adjust (CLA)

This Canon Serenar 85mm f/2.0 is in excellent condition, but has a bit too much drag on the focus ring and some oil on the aperture blades. I know with a CLA it will operate smoothly and more freely. For an 85mm lens it is long, but has a small diameter. It’s also very heavy, […]

General Instructions for Lens Clean, Lubricate, Adjust (CLA)

Updated March 18, 2016 Camera lenses eventually need a little checkup to keep them working smoothly and cleanly. Here’s some general advice when performing a CLA – Clean, Lubricate, Adjust.

Canon Serenar 50mm f/1.9 Lens Clean, Lubricate, Adjust (CLA)

Here’s a rather thorough walk-through of the disassembly, cleaning, and reassembly of a circa 1950 Canon Serenar 50mm f/1.9 lens. You can read about its history in another post. Please read my general instructions before attempting a CLA. (follow the images left to right, top to bottom)

Vintage Canon Serenar Lenses

In the 1990’s my Dad was given some old camera equipment by a relative. At the time my father didn’t think much about it as it was an old camera bag with a rangefinder camera, some m39 mount lenses, and accessories. He wasn’t much interested in the camera, as he had more modern equivalents, and the […]

Review: LEE Filters SW150 Field Pouch for 150 x 170 mm Filters

A short review of the LEE Filters SW150 filter pouch.

Vintage Tamron Lens Catalogues

My dad had a Tamron 90mm macro lens lying in an old camera bag for 25 years. He got it from a friend and the poor lens was a jumble of parts, still connected, but completely unusable. Apparently it had become unscrewed, helicoid and all, and was left to live a lonely life inside a […]