50 ASPH focusing stiffness

[Englander]

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Has anyone noticed whether the 50/1.4 ASPH has more resistance or stiffness in focusing than the earlier versions or other 50s? If so, is this because of the floating element? The sample I am looking at is is stiffer than any other Leica lens (R or M) that I have ever used except the old 135-bug-eyes. Thanks.

[marknorton]

I had the same problem, so stiff that it was impossible to focus smoothly using the finger grip. I asked Leica to check the lens when it went for coding and it came back perfect, it is a little stiffer than say the silky wide-angles but now absolutely fine to use.

 

My Nocti has just gone in for coding and I asked them to do the same thing. I find focussing that monster a bit of a pain.

[carstenw]

Mine was stiff initially, but loosened up fairly quickly. It is still not really loose, but hopefully it will get lighter with more use.

[j. borger]

Same here .. but partly too stiff, partly to loose in the focussingrange .. most uncomfortable lens to focus out of the 7 Leica lenses i own.

The aperture ring is also not tight enough .... and the hood wiggles ....

Have to send it back ..... someday ..

[LADP]

Mine's a little more stiff too, and it is more noticeable in one part of the range. It's not so bad that I can't focus using the finger tabs as Mark experienced, but it is definitely more stiff than my 35/2 'cron. It's very new though, so I am hoping that it will smooth out over a little time. If not, I can always send it in at some point, but I don't think that's necessary since it seems to be a common characteristic, and I was thinking it had to do with the floating element too.

[woodyspedden]

I had the same problem, so stiff that it was impossible to focus smoothly using the finger grip. I asked Leica to check the lens when it went for coding and it came back perfect, it is a little stiffer than say the silky wide-angles but now absolutely fine to use.

 

My Nocti has just gone in for coding and I asked them to do the same thing. I find focussing that monster a bit of a pain.

 

Mine was so stiff that I often missed focus because it essentially jumped as I got near the critical focus point. Like Mark I sent it to Leica N.J. for coding and

CLA and it came back perfect. Interestingly my 50 R Lux also suffers the stiff focus problem.

 

Woody Spedden

[lars_bergquist]

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I too had this problem with my lens. It did not improve with use, so I sent it back pointing out that it was not really useable and that Leica should fix it. Three weeks later I had it back -- and it was OK, and free of charge. It is still slightly stiff, but not unduly so. As for a wiggling hood, I have never experienced any such thing. Maybe that's because I remember to lock the thing with a short clockwise twist!

 

The 135 mm Tele-Elmarit does exhibit a certain resistance, but remember that this is a large and hefty lens, with a ditto helical. It has to stand up to its job.

 

The old man -- you know who

[fotografr]

Initially, mine wasn't stiff, but after a few months it developed some stickyness at minimum and maximum focusing distances. So I sent it to New Jersey and they sent it to Germany. Long story short, I got it back yesterday after 3.5 months and guess what. There is no stickyness but it focuses so stiffly throughout the whole range that it is almost unusable. I wonder how long I'll be without it this time. Maybe I'll just forget the warranty and take it to Don Goldberg.

[pemayeux]

My 35/1.4 ASPH has a stiff spot close to minimum focus. I've tried working the focus constantly while watching tv to maybe loosen things up but it hasn't worked. I'm skeptical about sending it after reading Brent's post. My other lenses, the 50/1.4 is silky smooth and the 75/1.4 is smooth.

[wattsy]

My 35/1.4 ASPH has a stiff spot close to minimum focus. I've tried working the focus constantly while watching tv to maybe loosen things up but it hasn't worked. I'm skeptical about sending it after reading Brent's post. My other lenses, the 50/1.4 is silky smooth and the 75/1.4 is smooth.

 

Paul, I'd be inclined to have that 35 looked at (especially if it's still under warranty). The 50 ASPH has a reputation for stiffness (and mine is not as slick as I'd ideally like it to be) but all the 35mm Leica lenses I've owned have been as smooth as silk.

[SteveYork]

My 50mm Summilux ASPH loosened up quite a bit over time. But it's my main lens.

[fotografr]

Paul, I'd be inclined to have that 35 looked at (especially if it's still under warranty). The 50 ASPH has a reputation for stiffness (and mine is not as slick as I'd ideally like it to be) but all the 35mm Leica lenses I've owned have been as smooth as silk.

 

That's also my experience. I have the 35 lux pre-asph and the 35 cron asph. Both are wonderfully smooth.

[fotografr]

Initially, mine wasn't stiff, but after a few months it developed some stickyness at minimum and maximum focusing distances. So I sent it to New Jersey and they sent it to Germany. Long story short, I got it back yesterday after 3.5 months and guess what. There is no stickyness but it focuses so stiffly throughout the whole range that it is almost unusable. I wonder how long I'll be without it this time. Maybe I'll just forget the warranty and take it to Don Goldberg.

 

I'm happy to report that I can retract that statement. I sat working the focus back and forth for about an hour and the 50 ASPH is now very smooth and working perfectly. Sorry Leica!