Got a new summilux 35mm FLE, stiff focusing ring.

[siglo]

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Hi,

 

I finally managed to get a new 35mm summilux from Leica's distributor in Dubai. However, the focusing ring seems very stiff that it is very hard for me to focus with it. I just want to make sure that this is not normal before sending it to Solms. On a scale from 1 (moves alone) to 10 (immovable) my 35mm summarit is a 3 and this 35mm summilux is an 8.

 

I'd appreciate if someone has access to both lenses and can confirm that the summilux I got is defective or it's normal and I just need to start a weight lifting program for my index finger.

 

Thanks

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[JWW]

I just compared my Summilux FLE with my 35mm Summicron V4 and the FLE is just a bit stiffer but not much and both are pretty smooth. If your lens doesn't loosen up then it may need adjustment.

[siglo]

thanks, I guess I'll give it a week and if it doesn't get better I'll send it for service.

[StephenPatterson]

I received my new 35 FLE at the end of January, and also found the focus a bit stiff, however it has loosened up in the months since. It's now similar to my 35 Summicron ASPH. Keep in mind that there is an extra floating group of lenses to adjust, so it's normal that the focus ring of the FLE will require a little more force than lenses that do not have floating elements.

[pig882009]

it is normal for 35 lux FLE.

 

I have tried 4 different 35 lux FLE (all brand new), their focus ring are all much stiffer than my 35 cron.

[hoppyman]

it is normal for 35 lux FLE.

 

I have tried 4 different 35 lux FLE (all brand new), their focus ring are all much stiffer than my 35 cron.

Which begs a question, where on earth did you get to try FOUR brand new examples??

 

FWIW mine (from very early production) is smooth and positive with no play whatsoever. It is a little firmer than some older lenses I have but a single finger can control it from the tab. So I'd rate that perfect feel.

In fact I just found that it needs adjustment for back focus which is a first ever for me. It has come back from the Australian agent perfectly calibrated and equally smooth though..

[MarkP]

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I have both lenses in front of me, both in perfect order. The focusing ring on the Summilux FLE definitely becomes easier to move with a bit of use but I do not consider it to be difficult to move. May take you a bit of time to get used to it. I came from the Summilux FLE to the Summarit and initially thought how ridiculously light the focus ring was on the Summarit....

 

Of course the focus ring of the 35 Summilux FLE requires more force to turn than that of the Summarit as it has to move more glass and the FLE. The Summilux FLE ring is firmer and has a damped, but 'buttery', resistance which feels very different to the Summarit. I would guess that it requires about twice the force to move the Summilux focusing ring.

[jaapv]

You’ll be using this lens for the rest of your life. Run it in a bit and judge the focussing action again. Due to the production method there are significant differences between lenses even within the same series, but it will even out over time.

You got a lens that was assembled by the lady with the big biceps..

[IWC Doppel]

My understanding from Leica when questioning a new 35 summicron asph that seemed a little stiff was that it could be adjusted. I tried a black, chrome and my one in Leica Mayfair my one was notably 'tighter'. Easy to have adjusted evidently, depends on the preference of the builder. Obviously the extra FLE will make it weightier.

 

Leica told me if I wanted it adjusted it was no problem, they said personalising focus stiffness was quite usual for Noctiliux owners !

[siglo]

Thanks for your replies guys, I really appreciate it.

 

When I bought the lens yesterday the two salesmen have not tried a 35mm summilux before. I am still in Dubai and managed to see another salesman today who had previously tried other 35 summilux lenses. He tried my lens today and said it is much stiffer and I should consider sending it for service.

 

I wouldn't mine the stiffness if it wasn't causing me to take a long time to focus and miss the shot. My index finger is actually soar from using the lens yesterday. I think I will give it a month, if I don't get used to it or if it doesn't lossen up a little, it is going on a trip to solms.

 

I fly back home to Kuwait this evening. I'll try to find someone physically close to me and kind enough to let me try his 35 summilix. It won't be easy though.

[algrove]

it is normal for 35 lux FLE.

 

I have tried 4 different 35 lux FLE (all brand new), their focus ring are all much stiffer than my 35 cron.

 

I too would like to hear how or where you were able to try 4 35/1.4's at the same time. Other than the assembly line I could not imagine seeing that many together.

[colorflow]

I got mine about 3 months ago and everything was just right. Focusing was smooth and accurate, and the aperture ring clicks positively without the frequently reported rattling. So I got lucky for once. Had to send my last two new lenses (both 50 Lux's) back to Leica for adjustments though.

[lct]

it is normal for 35 lux FLE...

This is normal with no lens at all sorry. Same stories have been spread about other lenses like 50/1.4 asph which would be 'normally' stiff alledgedly. Truth is some samples are butter smooth while others like the OP's are stiff for some reasons i prefer not to elaborate upon. I would not give any more credit to statements according to which it would suffice to exercise the focusing movement with repeated cycles and wait til it improves 'naturally'. I did this with my 50/1.4 asph and my lens developed some play so i would not advise the same to others in any way.

[StephenPatterson]

...and the aperture ring clicks positively without the frequently reported rattling...

 

I believe what is frequently reported is that the aperture blades will rattle if the lens is shaken (not stirred ), not the aperture ring itself. This is normal. Having the aperture ring rattle would not be normal, and the lens would need to be serviced.

[siglo]

I would not give any more credit to statements according to which it would suffice to exercise the focusing movement with repeated cycles and wait til it improves 'naturally'. I did this with my 50/1.4 asph and my lens developed some play so i would not advise the same to others in any way.

 

I'm starting to lean towards just sending it to Solms as soon as I can. I "played" with the focus ring for a while last night and it doesn't seem like it is something that will smooth out with time. I never sent anything directly to Leica, so I told Leica's distributor in Dubai to help me through the process. I never tried to use our local distributor either, I'd rather send it directly to reduce the time.

 

I've also contacted a fellow photographer in Kuwait through flickr who uses Leica gear. It turned out he has a 35mm summilux and was kind enough to offer to compare our lenses without me even asking. Now I can make sure my lens is faulty before sending it for service.

[StephenPatterson]

I'm starting to lean towards just sending it to Solms as soon as I can. I "played" with the focus ring for a while last night and it doesn't seem like it is something that will smooth out with time. I never sent anything directly to Leica, so I told Leica's distributor in Dubai to help me through the process. I never tried to use our local distributor either, I'd rather send it directly to reduce the time.

 

I've also contacted a fellow photographer in Kuwait through flickr who uses Leica gear. It turned out he has a 35mm summilux and was kind enough to offer to compare our lenses without me even asking. Now I can make sure my lens is faulty before sending it for service.

 

I realize you've just spent a lot of money on a very expensive lens, and you want it to be perfect, but I fear you are over reacting. IMHO it would be a silly waste of time and money to send the lens to Solms before giving it some time. Consider how many steps this lens has gone through before ending up on your camera? Numerous people at Leica have assembled and inspected this lens, including shooting with it on an M9. By your own admission you have no basis for comparison. I would strongly urge you to at least let your friend try the lens, or better yet give it some time, before sending a perfectly good lens half way around the world for an adjustment it probably does not need.

 

I own modern Leica lenses 18, 21, 35, 50 and 90mm, and the 35 Summilux FLE is the stiffest one to focus.

 

Give it some time and take more images.

[colorflow]

I believe what is frequently reported is that the aperture blades will rattle if the lens is shaken (not stirred ), not the aperture ring itself. This is normal. Having the aperture ring rattle would not be normal, and the lens would need to be serviced.

 

I believe there were also reports of the the aperture ring making a hollow/metallic sound when adjusting. IMO neither is normal. At least my 35FLE makes no sound when shaken.

[siglo]

Consider how many steps this lens has gone through before ending up on your camera? Numerous people at Leica have assembled and inspected this lens, including shooting with it on an M9. By your own admission you have no basis for comparison.

 

I appreciate your input, I agree with most of what you said. I only started this thread because I have no basis for comparison. I would never send it for service unless I am 100% sure that there is a problem. It should be easier now to compare it with another lens.

 

As for the many steps a product goes through before reaching the hands of the consumer, it is never a 100% effective control. From personal experience, I find more faults in hand made mechanical products (cameras, lenses, watches, engines, etc.) than machined. I might be unlucky but I usually find issues with such items during the first few months of ownership. I either accept it and move on (i.e. Rollieflex focus click noise), fix it myself (i.e. M9 leather) or have it serviced under the warranty.

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[01af]

I believe what is frequently reported is that the aperture blades will rattle if the lens is shaken [...], not the aperture ring itself. This is normal. Having the aperture ring rattle would not be normal, and the lens would need to be serviced.

If it actually was the apertures blades that were rattling then the lens would be in need of being serviced even more badly.

 

Unlike other Leica lenses, the Summilux-M 35 mm Asph with floating elements usually does rattle slightly. However this comes from neither the aperture ring nor the blades but from a mechanical link between the ring and the blades.

 

Regarding the stiffness of the focusing ring—it's normal that it's somewhat stiffer than in lenses without floating elements. But it must not be so stiff that accurate focus control becomes hard or impossible due to high resistance or jerkiness.

[StephenPatterson]

Siglo, I don't know if you have seen the following video of Leica lens manufacturing, but it is excellent and will give you an idea of the meticulous assembly and manufacturing process in Solms.

 

Leica Lenses (English) on Vimeo

 

This video does not mean that there is no chance that your lens does not have a problem, as anything might have happened from the time the lens left the factory until it arrived in Dubai, however it will show that your lens was assembled and inspected by people who do nothing but assemble and inspect Leica lenses. They are pretty good at what they do.

 

Good luck, and I sincerely hope that you do not have to return your lens. However, if you do find that it needs to go back then you should feel confident that Leica will stand behind their product and do everything within their power to make you happy with your purchase.