Wonka Posted October 24, 2009 Share #1 Posted October 24, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) My new Leica 35mm f/2 Summicron arrived yesterday from B&H Photo (of course, I'm still waiting on my M9 to get here, but that's a different story). Anyway, it looks great, but the aperture ring seems to have a little play in it. What I mean is that I can turn it a little past f/2 and a little past f/16. When I do this, it will hold itself there. However, with just a little nudge it will go back into the proper f/2 or f/16 slot. The diaphragm does appear to increase just a tad when I move it beyond f/2 and it appears to decrease just a tad when I move it beyond f/16. Should this lens be returned? Is this normal? I'm a little paranoid as this is the most expensive lens I have ever purchased and I want it to be just right! I've seen some other posts around here and on the internet in general that indicate this is fairly common with Leica lenses. Do you agree? Do those of you with the same lens have the same issue? As always, thank you in advance for your comments. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted October 24, 2009 Posted October 24, 2009 Hi Wonka, Take a look here New 35mm Summicron - Do I Have a Problem?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
wilfredo Posted October 24, 2009 Share #2 Posted October 24, 2009 My new Leica 35mm f/2 Summicron arrived yesterday from B&H Photo (of course, I'm still waiting on my M9 to get here, but that's a different story). Anyway, it looks great, but the aperture ring seems to have a little play in it. What I mean is that I can turn it a little past f/2 and a little past f/16. When I do this, it will hold itself there. However, with just a little nudge it will go back into the proper f/2 or f/16 slot. The diaphragm does appear to increase just a tad when I move it beyond f/2 and it appears to decrease just a tad when I move it beyond f/16. Should this lens be returned? Is this normal? I'm a little paranoid as this is the most expensive lens I have ever purchased and I want it to be just right! I've seen some other posts around here and on the internet in general that indicate this is fairly common with Leica lenses. Do you agree? Do those of you with the same lens have the same issue? As always, thank you in advance for your comments. Wonka, Your aperture ring should be snug, there should be no play on it that way. I also have that lens, it's my favorite on the M8 and I don't have those issues. I would return it immediately. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gravastar Posted October 24, 2009 Share #3 Posted October 24, 2009 Wilfredo posted just as I was typing . However my 35mm Summicron ASPH behaves just like yours and as far as I'm concerned there's nothing wrong, it's a fine lens. The aperture ring will move a fraction past the click stops at either end. The ring moves freely with little resistance but the click stop positions are firm with very little play. The 35/2 ASPH is a superb lens, very high image quality indeed whilst being light and compact - enjoy. Don't be afraid to use it at full aperture, you won't be disappointed. Bob. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wilfredo Posted October 24, 2009 Share #4 Posted October 24, 2009 Wilfredo posted just as I was typing . However my 35mm Summicron ASPH behaves just like yours and as far as I'm concerned there's nothing wrong, it's a fine lens. The aperture ring will move a fraction past the click stops at either end. The ring moves freely with little resistance but the click stop positions are firm with very little play. The 35/2 ASPH is a superb lens, very high image quality indeed whilst being light and compact - enjoy. Don't be afraid to use it at full aperture, you won't be disappointed. Bob. I've never noticed this on my lens (I've owned it for 4 yeears) but I will check it later when I get home. If others have this experience then it may very well be a characteristic of the lens. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marty Posted October 24, 2009 Share #5 Posted October 24, 2009 Same as Bob. It is exactly the same on my 2/35 ASPH, and also on 2/90 ASPH and 1.4/24 ASPH. Not all lenses do this, but I would definitely not consider it a problem, rather a characteristic feature. Enjoy, you may never need another lens! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jruffolo Posted October 24, 2009 Share #6 Posted October 24, 2009 My 35 cron asph does this as well Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wilfredo Posted October 24, 2009 Share #7 Posted October 24, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) I checked my lens and you know what? It too has this characteristic. I never noticed it before. I checked other lenses including a Konica Hexanon and Elmarit R and they too have this characteristic. My 18mm Zeiss doesn't. I apologize for thinking there was an issue with the lens. It goes to show us we learn new things every day. BTW have fun with the lens and post some pictures when you finally get your camera. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianman Posted October 24, 2009 Share #8 Posted October 24, 2009 I've never noticed this on my lens (I've owned it for 4 yeears) but I will check it later when I get home. If others have this experience then it may very well be a characteristic of the lens. I think this is pretty much standard on any lens. It certainly is on my Cron 90AA and recently aquired Lux 50 pre asph. Also on a very recent but secondhand Cron 35 asph I tried out at my dealers. I wouldn't worry about this at all. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wonka Posted October 24, 2009 Author Share #9 Posted October 24, 2009 Thanks everyone. I guess there is no problem. Not really a big deal to return for an exchange, but still a hassle nevertheless. It seems weird to me that these lenses do this, but what do I know! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted October 24, 2009 Share #10 Posted October 24, 2009 I just checked mine ... same thing, to be precise, a little more under f2 than over f16 - and the ring can stay on both those "out of range" positions. That is the same for lot of Leica lenses (just checked my 21 asph too) : not a problem. In some very old lenses (happened to my Summarit 50 1,5) there can be the problem of "mismatching" of the click stops with the f stop markings... this is indeed annoying and can be easily fixed by a good lab. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wilfredo Posted October 24, 2009 Share #11 Posted October 24, 2009 Thanks everyone. I guess there is no problem. Not really a big deal to return for an exchange, but still a hassle nevertheless. It seems weird to me that these lenses do this, but what do I know! It sounds like you are good to go. You have a fine piece of glass there, it's my favorite M lens. PS The Summicron lens on my Digilux 2 also has this characteristic. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevem7 Posted October 24, 2009 Share #12 Posted October 24, 2009 Mostly evert Leica lens that has been through my hands has done this. My 35 cron does it as did my 90 cron. My 50 Lux doesn't though. No problem, totally normal. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mokkacream Posted October 24, 2009 Share #13 Posted October 24, 2009 MY 35 Summicron and 50 Summilux, both new, show the same "behaviour". I also wondered, if this would be "normal". Obviously yes. Although I don't appreciate this. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
250swb Posted October 24, 2009 Share #14 Posted October 24, 2009 My 35mm Cron does it, I'd say that if it didn't do it that would be the faulty lens. Steve Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RockyIII Posted October 25, 2009 Share #15 Posted October 25, 2009 My 35 cron asph does this as well Mine too. Rocky Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chroma project Posted October 25, 2009 Share #16 Posted October 25, 2009 hey wonka. My 35 summicron have the same behavior as yours, not my 50 lux (which Steve has already written). nothing to be worried about, many 35 Summicron has the same behavior quite simple. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobPS Posted October 25, 2009 Share #17 Posted October 25, 2009 Same thing here. Both my 50 Summicron and my 28 Elmarit ASPH do it too. Perhaps that's how it is with Leica lenses? I mean my two lenses are years apart, the 50 cron is a Leitz lens while the 28 Elmarit is the current version (new one) but both do the same thing with regard to the aperture ring. Bob Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
deedub Posted October 26, 2009 Share #18 Posted October 26, 2009 I don't see this as a problem. My 35/2 from 2002 is just as Wonka describes. Let's rationalize this and say that it was engineered to give you the feel of the click stop as *separate* from the physical stop. I never remarked on this until today I read this thread and checked my own lens; perfectly natural to me with the general Leica "feel." Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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