Sticky Focus Ring

[crismitchell]

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Hey Gang,

I recently purchased a Leica Sumarit .5cm screw mount which is in really great shape other than at the far end of the focus ring where it's a little be sticky.

 

Does anyone have any recommendations on how to remedy this or is it something i'm going to need to send in to have repaired? If it does need to be sent it can someone recommend a place to have it done. I'm located in California.

 

Thanks,

Cris...

[lct]

Dare not tell you what i've been doing for 20+ years: couple of drops of WD-40 that's all. But don't do it please, it might damage your lens i don't know.

[menos I M6]

There are two answers:

 

1. You have to send it in for a CLA (recommended).

 

2. You can get yourself a neutral grease, recommended by a Leica technician of your choice and lube the lens SLIGHTLY with a toothpick on the helicoid and work the lens in for a while.

 

My 35 Cron ASPH was exactly that - slightly sticky at close focus.

I considered CLA with Leica, but gave a trusted Leica repair person a try, to lube it (it really was not more than 3 tips of grease on a toothpick).

 

It feels like new again!

After a few days of usage, it slowly starts, to feel more damped again, which settles slightly after another few days more.

It now runs wonderful.

 

Your lens might have another reason for being sticky - lubing is not guaranteed, to work out.

[crismitchell]

Thanks for your responses, it's a 400 dollar lens i'd rather try to oil it myself than send it in for repair if possible.

 

Can you tell me what is considered a Neutral Grease? is this something i can pick up at my local hardware store?

 

Thanks for the help

 

Cris...

[menos I M6]

Basically, you want to use the same grease, the former assembly worker/ repair technician used, which can be difficult.

 

I got the grease from a camera repair workshop, it looks almost opaque.

 

 

You really want to take just a few (3-4) tips of a toothpick. Don't overdo it or excess grease will reach areas, you don't want to.

 

Working the lens in takes a few days of heavy shooting. If you think, you can't feel improvement after turning the lens a few times, don't give it more grease, but work it out a bit longer.

I would not use WD-40, as the ingredients of WD-40 are less likely similar to what Leica uses.

It is a good stop gap for a urgent situation, if you have the possibility of cleaning the stuff up later (CLA).