carlosecpf Posted January 18, 2011 Share #1 Posted January 18, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hi guys, I've bought a 35mm Lux Asph on ebay and it arrived last friday. The good news is that it is in Like New condition and there is no detectable focus shift across de aperture range!! The somewhat bad news is that the focusing ring is a little stiff as compared to my other lenses (none of the Leica lenses). For instance, when I turn the focusing ring in a continuous motion (for a long turns), it moves smoothly (but not super smoothly like my other lens). However, when I am fine tuning the RF patch (small turns), the focusing ring seems to move on "little steps" rather than continuously, requiring some extra pressure on my side and thus going further then I needed. Is this normal with this lens? Is there a way to fix that on my own? Does a little lub could solve it or it would damage the lens? Thanks, Carlos Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted January 18, 2011 Posted January 18, 2011 Hi carlosecpf, Take a look here My 35mm Lux Asph has arrived: good news and (not that) bad news. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
wstotler Posted January 18, 2011 Share #2 Posted January 18, 2011 Is this normal with this lens?Is there a way to fix that on my own? Does a little lub could solve it or it would damage the lens? Congrats. Doesn't sound completely normal--the "stepping" behavior on fine adjustments is the key point. I can say that lubing the lens yourself is a bad idea--I don't think this is an issue of a few drops of lube and you're good to go. The lube rides in channels and on surfaces deep inside the lens and requires teardown to lubricate parts correctly and evenly--I'm not describing that precisely, but I hope that's descriptive enough. It could be stiff like that because it hasn't been used in a long while. I suggest you use it for a few weeks and "run in" the existing lube. (You can try working the focus ring back and forth, back and forth, back and forth, etc., while you're doing something else, like watching a show on T.V. See if that helps.) If those fixes don't produce satisfactory results, you can always ship it to Don Goldberg (or other service provider) for a CLA. It may have "gummy" lube (for lack of a better description) due to age. Thanks, Will Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
zombii Posted January 18, 2011 Share #3 Posted January 18, 2011 Or if it was described as Like New, you could return it as that doesn't sound like normal behavior to me much less Like New. If you keep it and send it off for CLA, I suggest Leica NJ unless you're willing to do without it for a long time. They may take a couple of months but Don, good as he is, is so backed up that it could take much longer. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted January 18, 2011 Share #4 Posted January 18, 2011 What you can do safely is to work a small drop of silicone oil into the helix threads. Maybe it has been little used and has dried a bit. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoppyman Posted January 18, 2011 Share #5 Posted January 18, 2011 It does sound as though it is a little stiffer than normal. If it sticks a little when you are trying to make very fine adjustments, I think that is out of the best range. I don't recommend that you operate the lens artficially a large number of times. You may accelerate the lens becoming too loose or positioning imprecise. I had this experience with a new Summilux 50 ASPH. which then developed perceptible play after two years. Solms serviced it for me afterwards and it is now perfect. I don't recommend that you attempt any lubrication yourself. Possibly could help but balance that against the risk of adversely affecting the internals of your lens. In my opinion professional attention is your best recourse. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ho_co Posted January 19, 2011 Share #6 Posted January 19, 2011 Carlos, what sounds most wrong to me is the jumpiness of the rangefinder. I can't think of any case under which that should happen. I'm not familiar with the lens in question, but I know when I worked for Leica in New Jersey (in the last century, so take this with a grain of salt), we would sometimes get a lens in whose focusing a customer felt was just too stiff. (These were usually the larger, heavier lenses like the 135/2.8 or 90/2.) Such a lens was put on a device that simply focused it from closest distance to infinity and back again, then repeated ad infinitum. The machine was turned on when people arrived for work and turned off eight hours later when they went home. Every day, the technician would test the focusing stiffness until he finally dubbed it right. But if there's a catchiness in your lens that's causing your rangefinder to jump a bit, something isn't right. You should take it to someone who knows Leica to verify and diagnose the problem, or return it to the seller. The 'jumpiness' of the finder could possibly be due to crud in the rangefinder mechanism. In that case, it would show up on other lenses at the same focus distance. Is the jumpiness at all distances or only over a particular range? Your rangefinder tracking roller is clean? The lens' focusing cam is clean? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoppyman Posted January 19, 2011 Share #7 Posted January 19, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) I have one lens that was new/old stock and is marginally stiff (The Macro Elmar 90). It does exactly what Carlos described. The stiffness is sufficient to make very fine short movement harder to control, whereas continuous rotation is no problem. I think that is what Carlos means. ho_co; ...............Such a lens was put on a device that simply focused it from closest distance to infinity and back again, then repeated ad infinitum. The machine was turned on when people arrived for work and turned off eight hours later when they went home. :eek: Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ho_co Posted January 19, 2011 Share #8 Posted January 19, 2011 Geoff-- Did you say ":eek: :eek:" ? The technician who described this rather esoteric repair technique to me was equally amused by my surprise. You're right about lubricants drying out, though. I've got a 16464 focusing mount that I need to send in for re-lubrication. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoppyman Posted January 19, 2011 Share #9 Posted January 19, 2011 Indeed! And the technician who assessed my lens in Solms in 2009 and offered to fix it also politely said Eek! Eek! when he detected the play in the focus of my lens after I did by hand what your machine is described as doing (many times more). What you don't want is any imprecision developing in the focus ring positioning which mine showed 2 years of normal use after my application of the TV watching advanced rotational full travel cycling technique. One man's smoothing is another's accelerated wear;) Differnt views for the OP to consider:) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ho_co Posted January 19, 2011 Share #10 Posted January 19, 2011 Indeed! As I said, my tale comes from the days of yesteryear, when the heavier Leica lenses were actually heavy, and were therefore given a heavier grease. Different lens, different period. Carlos, if it bothers you a lot, return it or have it re-lubed. If you can live with it, do so. Even if it's a little rough, it's a first-class lens! And if you know someone who can evaluate it, or if you know of another sample with which to compare it, doing so will ease your mind, if not your wallet. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
carlosecpf Posted January 19, 2011 Author Share #11 Posted January 19, 2011 Will: Thanks for your recommendation. I will use this lens constantly for the next few weeks and see if it gets smoother. I might have Don taking at a look at it, if the lens remains stiff. zombii: I was (am) considering returning the lens. However, after reading several reports of back focusing issues with this lens, I believe I got a rare lens fully calibrated. I guess if I didn't need to send it to Leica for stiffness, I probably would send it for back-focusing issues anyway. jaapv: pardon my ignorance, but the helix threads is the focusing thread right? If this is harmless to lens, I might try it out. Thanks for the suggestion. Geoff: Thanks for the recommendation. There seems to be few people here in favor of running the lens as much as possible for a while. I believe what you are experience with your Elmar 90 is exactly what I reported here. Howard: thanks for sharing your experience as a technician with us. Do you know of any specialist in NYC that could take a look at it? I am afraid if I wait too long I might not be able to return the lens if it is really defective. The focusing ring is stiffer between 1m and 2.5m range. outside that range, the focusing is smooth. Thanks for asking that. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ho_co Posted January 19, 2011 Share #12 Posted January 19, 2011 ... The focusing ring is stiffer between 1m and 2.5m range. outside that range, the focusing is smooth.... That probably means the lens was used more for distance shots than for close-ups. In all likelihood, if you use it more in the near range, it will get smoother on its own. ... Do you know of any specialist in NYC that could take a look at it? I am afraid if I wait too long I might not be able to return the lens if it is really defective.... I don't know anybody in NYC, but other forum members may. You might ask someone at B&H who services Leica; or even better, just drive out to Allendale, if you're not snowbound. If it focuses accurately as you say, and if the diaphragm looks clean and stops down smoothly, I think you've got a winner. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
beewee Posted January 19, 2011 Share #13 Posted January 19, 2011 Becareful if you try to relubricate the lens yourself. Not all lubricants are suitable for lenses... some may work fine at normal room temperature but will cause problems in cold temperature (might cause the lense to seize) or hot temperature (out gassing and depositing a corrosive residue on the elements... common on the Canadian 90 tele-elmarit). I know for a fact that my lenses work just as smoothly at -30C as they do at room temperature... this might change if you use your own lube. Also depending on the lube you use, it might cause problems when it is mixed with whatever leica is using. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xmas Posted January 19, 2011 Share #14 Posted January 19, 2011 Hi Unless you are happy about stripping the lens I'd not dribble anything into it... The (a) new Leica lenses can be stiff, the lube can set, between manfacture transport and sale, if you give it an energeting twist a large number of times it may become more free. Cosina have had the same problem to a much greater degree. If it remains too stiff (for you) you may need to have it professionally serviced. It is a subjective call, some people need it just right. Dont use liquid when you are cleaning it either... Noel Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
christakis Posted January 19, 2011 Share #15 Posted January 19, 2011 Hi guys, I've bought a 35mm Lux Asph on ebay and it arrived last friday. The good news is that it is in Like New condition and there is no detectable focus shift across de aperture range!! The somewhat bad news is that the focusing ring is a little stiff as compared to my other lenses (none of the Leica lenses). For instance, when I turn the focusing ring in a continuous motion (for a long turns), it moves smoothly (but not super smoothly like my other lens). However, when I am fine tuning the RF patch (small turns), the focusing ring seems to move on "little steps" rather than continuously, requiring some extra pressure on my side and thus going further then I needed. Is this normal with this lens? Is there a way to fix that on my own? Does a little lub could solve it or it would damage the lens? Thanks, Carlos Ohh the envy! Congrats on your new lens. I had the exact same problem with another lens. It felt a lot stiffer than my other lenses and due to the extra effort to move it, it sometimes 'stepped'. A or two week in, I either I got used to "the extra effort required" or the lens got easier to move/smoother. Definitely doesn't 'step' now and is very smooth. So, from personal experience, I would recommend using it as is for a week or two before start worrying about lubing it. Cheers, Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wattsy Posted January 19, 2011 Share #16 Posted January 19, 2011 The (a) new Leica lenses can be stiff Assuming that the lens in question is the previous version of the 35 Summilux ASPH, the focus should be buttery smooth from new. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wda Posted January 19, 2011 Share #17 Posted January 19, 2011 I have one lens that was new/old stock and is marginally stiff (The Macro Elmar 90). I tried to buy a similar lens, but a used version. It suffered focusing errors, focusing stiffness suggesting an eccentric mechanism and lacked a locking stop when extended for use. (The lens barrel collapsed when resetting the lens aperture ring). I was persuaded to allow the dealer to send the lens to Solms for servicing, at his expense. My letter listing the faults was enclosed with the lens. After a wait of several months, the lens was returned to me but it still had the focusing stiffness and locking fault. I lost faith in the lens and returned it, rather disappointed with the outcome. There is possibly some explanation for the servicing lapse, but your similar experience with the same lens suggests possibly an inherent problem with the lens focusing mechanism. Perhaps a 'batch' occurrence. I felt I was getting a message that the lens was not intended for my use! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xmas Posted January 19, 2011 Share #18 Posted January 19, 2011 Assuming that the lens in question is the previous version of the 35 Summilux ASPH, the focus should be buttery smooth from new. Yes that would be desirable of all Leica lenses but it is frequently/sometimes not true. My last one loosened up with use. I dont think it had been in storage long either. Noel Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoppyman Posted January 19, 2011 Share #19 Posted January 19, 2011 Sorry to the 35mm part of the discussion for this diversion. David, my Macro Elmar 90 lens had been new stock on a dealer shelf for several years (pre-coding) and I paid accordingly. I'm not at all surprised that the lubricant may have thickened and it may improve now that it is in use. I may send it to Solms under the warranty period though if it proves a bother. It has superbly accurate focus. Hedge Grasshopper in my garden photo - Geoff Hopkinson photos at pbase.com The locking function that you mention is not a fault. When you extend the lens for use you need to be able to rotate the front extended portion so that the aperture ring scale may be positioned at the top (conventional) or at the bottom (with Macro attachment). To lock the lens in the extended position you rotate the front anticlockwise (viewed from rear) This is the same way the extendable hoods lock. When the lens is collapsed the retracted portion is not locked. There is no mechanism to do that. It sounds as though your seller was not familiar with the lens design. The little Elmarit M 50 worked the same way from memory. I tried to buy a similar lens, but a used version. It suffered focusing errors, focusing stiffness suggesting an eccentric mechanism and lacked a locking stop when extended for use. (The lens barrel collapsed when resetting the lens aperture ring). I was persuaded to allow the dealer to send the lens to Solms for servicing, at his expense. My letter listing the faults was enclosed with the lens. After a wait of several months, the lens was returned to me but it still had the focusing stiffness and locking fault. I lost faith in the lens and returned it, rather disappointed with the outcome. There is possibly some explanation for the servicing lapse, but your similar experience with the same lens suggests possibly an inherent problem with the lens focusing mechanism. Perhaps a 'batch' occurrence. I felt I was getting a message that the lens was not intended for my use! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ho_co Posted January 20, 2011 Share #20 Posted January 20, 2011 ... The little Elmarit M 50 worked the same way from memory. Yes, all the collapsibles work that way to my knowledge. 50 Elmar, Summicron etc. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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