Oily aperture blades

[R2-D2]

Hi

Are there slight traces of oil on the aperture blades that can be seen in the following picture?



Or are these just normal signs of use?

Best regards

[wattsy]

If there are oil spots on the aperture blades (I can't tell from the image) it is less of an issue with an M lens than it is with an auto-diaphragm lens like an SLR lens. That said, it wouldn't be normal for a lens of that age and could be an indicator that a CLA is on order.

[robsteve]

Do you have the lens in front of you? The shiny spots just looks like shiny spots from the metal blades moving against each other, not oil.

[malcolm]

I've heard of this condition before, and have it on my 80's vintage 50mm Summicron. As I recall, the recommendation was to keep lenses at their maximum aperture when not in immediate use to minimize lubricant migration.

[R2-D2]

Originally Posted by robsteve

Do you have the lens in front of you?

No, I got the picture from that infamous auction site.

The shiny spots just looks like shiny spots from the metal blades moving against each other, not oil.

This is probably most likely - a local repairman said the same thing. I was just curious, because I haven't seen this on newer lenses...

[darkstar2004]

I have heard that what looks like oil on aperture blades is actually a result of the lens being exposed to excessive heat.

The lubricant used on aperture blades is not an oil but a dry lunricant and it changes state and looks like oil due to excessive heat exposure. Lenses with this condition need to be CLA'ed and re-lubricated.

This may be true or it may be hogwash - it's just what I have heard (I haven't called Leica to ask the service dept.)

Does anyone know if this is true or not?

[devtank]

Originally Posted by R2-D2

Hi

Are there slight traces of oil on the aperture blades that can be seen in the following picture?



Or are these just normal signs of use?

Best regards

Oh god, the lens is a complete write off, you going to have to either throw it away or donate it to me for "parts"...
Oil on blades on these lenses isnt a big deal like it is in SLR lenses just because setting the diaphragm is absolute. However, if you are in a hot climate that oil can over time evaporate and settle on the lens elements (which are cleanable), but make for a reasonably unusable lens.
If you can afford the time or money to have it cleaned then doing it would be wise.

[R2-D2]

Originally Posted by devtank

Oh god, the lens is a complete write off, you going to have to either throw it away or donate it to me for "parts"...

Just read the thread carefully before you start ranting... The lens is not in my possession.