Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: ISCO Ultra Anamorphic MC 2X Question

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Posted by Mitchell Dvoskin (Member # 751) on 03-11-2016, 11:35 AM:

I know this is a stupid question even as I type it, but I have not adjusted an ISCO scope lens in a few decades.

How do you unlock it so that you can adjust the distance/astigmatism. My vague memory is that you turn the outer ring, but on the lens I need to adjust, the outer ring does not move (or is frozen).

Before I take my huge monster pliers and force it to turn, I want to verify that this is what I really want to do.

Posted by Tim Asten (Member # 4051) on 03-11-2016, 01:32 PM:

Is that the one where you pull the outer ring out to turn it then push it back in to lock it?

Posted by Victor Liorentas (Member # 5272) on 03-11-2016, 03:21 PM:

Actually I think you must loosen a set screw on the side. Maybe two of them but it's been a while.

Posted by Steve McAndrew (Member # 8865) on 03-11-2016, 03:28 PM:

Hi
I have one in front of me, on this one it seems that the ring at the very front of the lens locks the main distance setting ring.

Posted by Jim Cassedy (Member # 4115) on 03-11-2016, 04:01 PM:

Can't recall if that lens has the ring or the set-screw to lock it.

If it has a locking ring:
I had an old Bausch & Lomb Cinemascope lenss on which the
locking ring was totally frozen up. Someone told me that there
was some chemical component in the original grease used on
those lenses which, over the years, combined with moisture
in the air to corrode the aluminum threads.

I got mine free by using an automotive oil-filter wrench (after
protecting the circumference of the ring with a felt strip) while
carefully heating the ring to expand it slightly using one of
those hot-air guns used for shrinking heat-shrink tubing.

Worked for me. . .

Posted by Victor Liorentas (Member # 5272) on 03-11-2016, 06:59 PM:

Thinking about it more...I believe the front lock ring has a set screw. Loosen screw and then loosen ring or something like that.
[Big Grin]

Posted by Dave Macaulay (Member # 813) on 03-12-2016, 12:11 PM:

Looking at a picture of a lens that might be what you have... I think the two knurled rings turn independently - the front one locks the back one (the adjuster). Been a long time for me, too...

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 03-12-2016, 12:44 PM:

This all depends on the era of the lens you have. A picture would be very helpful. Occasionally, so is a hammer...

Mark

Posted by Tim Asten (Member # 4051) on 03-12-2016, 04:12 PM:

I just remembered, I think we have one of these lenses on our old V8 not used anymore. Here is a pic if it helps. That ring seems to pop off revealing those two screws you see in the slot on the side. Cant remember what they are for now, It's years since we have used it. The outer ring turns although its quite stiff.

Posted by Mitchell Dvoskin (Member # 751) on 03-12-2016, 04:46 PM:

Thanks everyone for your help.

It turns out that there is a tiny lock screw for the outer locking ring. Upon loosening the screw, the outer ring turned freely which unlocked the adjusting ring.

Posted by Victor Liorentas (Member # 5272) on 03-12-2016, 10:47 PM:

I win!!!!! [Smile]

Sorta

Glad you got it. [beer]

I'm so used to handling the ISCO Ultrastars that I blocked out the older models a bit.