lake tahoe

ice textures

Took a trip to Tahoe.  Frustratingly enough, there was very very little snow.  It got cold though. Cold enough to freeze the top 8ish inches of Eagle Lake.  Walking on the lake was a trip.  When the sun came out it groaned and shook as new cracks formed. There was a hockey game going right before we got there.

lens surgery

About a month ago I took a spill on the skateboard on my way home one night.  It was dark, didn't see the crack, sprawled out on the pavement. No big deal...  There conviniently some attractive chick there to see the event unfold. 

Anyways, I'd been carrying the k1000 with me all over the place just in case. The next day in class, a buddy of mine asked to see the camera. He then asked why it wouldn't focus.  It dawned on me that I probably smashed it on the ground during the skateboard accident. Great. New project.  

The lens was an SMC-A 50mm f/2.0. Online I found the exploded view of the f/1.7 version (which I also have). Out came the tiny screwdriver and curiosity took over. It turns out that one of the three little screws (closest to the top left of the diagram) had dug into the plastic and kept the focus ring from turning.  Something else was a little wonky too.  Even when I chiseled away a bit of the plastic allowing the ring to rotate, the elements wouldn't move in and out.  I think a makeshift repair would have been possible but the motion of the focus ring would never be the same. Oh well, now I have some cool little pieces of glass.

It was interesting deconstructing the lens. Many things were attached by threading them on the lense body.  Someone online suggested using a rubber crutch bottom as a friction wrench.  I ended up using some anti slip mat and a Mrs. Dash seasoning bottle.  It worked great. The aperture mechanism was pretty cool to see up close. A very delicate and precise little function.

time to find a new 50mm for the film camera...

chillin' time

relaxation