Pro tip: cigarette ash and a q-tip saved a stuck focus ring on a Canon AE-1
Had a customer's AE-1 come in with a focus ring that felt like it was full of sand, and no amount of lighter fluid would free it up. On a hunch I dipped a q-tip in water, rolled it in cigarette ash, and worked it around the gap where the ring meets the barrel, and the grit lifted right out within about 10 passes. Sounded nuts but it worked, and I have since used it on 3 more lenses with zero damage to the finish. Anyone got a better trick for old grease that has basically turned to glue?
Did you have to re-lube the ring after the ash pulled the grit out, or did it stay smooth on its own? Curious how long that fix actually holds up on a lens that gets used.