How should I attach this adapter to this lens?
May 9, 2024 1:05 PM   Subscribe

I have an old macro lens for my phone which I had to stop using when I got a new phone, because I couldn’t get a case to fit it. I found someone selling a 13mm-17mm adapter ring for it, and want to know the best way of firmly attaching the adapter to the lens.

The old macro lens (a Zeiss exolens macro zoom) has a 13mm screw fitting.

I now use a phone case that has a 17mm screw fitting (which I use with a different macro lens), but I found someone on eBay today who is selling a 13mm-17mm adapter.

But I’m worried about the adapter getting separated from the lens and stuck in the screw fitting of the case. So I was wondering about the best way of firmly attaching the adapter ring to the lens. I was thinking maybe a dab of superglue, but I don’t want to fuck it up. So does anyone have a better solution?

[The reason I would like to start using the Zeiss lens again, incidentally, is that it has a ‘zoom’ which means you can vary the focal distance. It’s helpful when you’re trying to photograph a small moth on an egg tray]
posted by Bloxworth Snout to Technology (3 answers total)
 
Best answer: You probably want some thread lock adhesive. It's designed specifically to bond screw threads so that they don't unscrew without quite a lot of force. It comes in a couple of grades, and you'd want the removable one. you just apply a little to the threads (I'd use a small paintbrush), screw the adapter on, then leave it to dry for a few minutes.
posted by pipeski at 1:16 PM on May 9, 2024 [1 favorite]


Best answer: Don't use superglue near glass, you can get a white haze that's very hard to remove.

Thread locker is a good way to go, you probably want to use Loctite Purple. Make sure to clean the mating threads and wait for them to fully dry -- rubbing alcohol or Everclear should work well. A small brush like pipeski suggests should work well, or you can use the tip of a needle to pick up a tiny drop. Should start to cure in less than an hour and be at full strength in 24 hours.

But you might be able to get away with using some sewing thread-- make a loop or two around the adapter like (through the adapter, think like the way chain-links join together), screw the adapter onto the lens and if it's too easy to screw on, unscrew, and add another loop or two of sewing thread. Once you've reached your desired level of difficulty trim off the excess thread. For spots where threads are just a bit loose and don't experience vibration this seems to work as well for me as threadlocker.
posted by gregr at 6:45 PM on May 9, 2024


Response by poster: Thanks both of you, I’m glad I asked! Of course there’s a specialised product for this, I should have guessed.
posted by Bloxworth Snout at 12:56 AM on May 10, 2024


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