mctuomey Posted July 15, 2012 Share #1 Posted July 15, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) Let me provide a little background. I like the 28mm focal length a lot, especially among crowds and tighter spaces. After saving and selling a bit of gear, decided on and bought the Elmarit ASPH 28. Lovely image-maker, but could not get on with it due to its very small size and my large hands and fingers. (Yes, I should have anticipated this problem, but wanted to try anyway.) I must have nudged the aperture the ring out at least a dozen times in a 2-3 hour first session with the lens, losing a lot of shots in the process. Figuring practice would not make me better this time, I sold the Elmarit and decided to go the difference and try the Summicron ASPH as it's larger in the hand. Just found one and, predictably, it's better ergonomically for me, but the focus and aperture rings are quite close - it's still possible to nudge the aperture ring. My observation is that the aperture ring on this lens, like that of the Elmarit-M 28 and also my Elmarit-M 90, isn't as firm as, say, a Summilux ASPH 50. First question then: is the aperture ring on the Summicron ASPH out-of-the-factory lacking firmness? Second, has anyone successfully had a technician, either Leica or non-factory, adjust the ring to a firmer touch? Thanks for looking and for any responses in advance. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted July 15, 2012 Posted July 15, 2012 Hi mctuomey, Take a look here Advice re Summicron 28 ASPH. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Jeff S Posted July 15, 2012 Share #2 Posted July 15, 2012 If you search the site for "loose aperture ring," you'll find a number of related threads on this and various other lenses. I had an issue years ago with a 75 Summicron asph. If you're in the US, this can be addressed by Leica NJ, DAG (Don Goldberg) or Sherry Krauter, among other qualified techs. Jeff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mctuomey Posted July 15, 2012 Author Share #3 Posted July 15, 2012 Thank you, Jeff. I should have done so first. I have the advice needed. Moderators can delete the post at their convenience. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobertJRB Posted July 15, 2012 Share #4 Posted July 15, 2012 The apenture ring on my 28 cron is more loose than those of my other lenses. I bought it new and tried several and they were all the same. Later it was send to leica solms for adjusting the rangefinder of my m8. They checked the lens and told me it worked as its supposed to do. So its just how this lens is. Its a wonderful lens so enjoy it and don't think to much about the ring Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mctuomey Posted July 16, 2012 Author Share #5 Posted July 16, 2012 Thanks, Robert. Advice taken - I feel quite fortunate to have the lens, will strive to learn to use it well. And deal with any "ring flop" since it doesn't seem to be a repair or adjustment issue. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted July 16, 2012 Share #6 Posted July 16, 2012 So its just how this lens is. Could have fooled me; mine is fine, as crisp and tight as my other lenses, if not better. Jeff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
akiralx Posted July 16, 2012 Share #7 Posted July 16, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) This looseness is endemic with all my modern Leica lenses. If you want firmer aperture rings, try Zeiss, they are superb. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
IWC Doppel Posted July 16, 2012 Share #8 Posted July 16, 2012 My 28 Summicron is about midway amongst my Leica lenses, my 90 Elmarit-M being the stiffest and my 21 Elmarit-M ASPH the loosest Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
IWC Doppel Posted July 16, 2012 Share #9 Posted July 16, 2012 I have another thought. I have used sticky backed black velour for lots of things and indeed have a few pads on the base plate of my M9-P. it is perhaps 1/2mm thick and my brother used some to dampen a rattling aperture ring but folding a small piece carefully around the lens and into the gap of the ring. looking at the 28 if you cut a piece say 5mm by 7-10mm and experimented you might achieve a non permanent, easy almost invisible damping. The piece should be placed between the aperture ring and hood. if you started by tucking the piece into the gap of the ring with the self adhesive side away from the aperture ring then folded back on the small shoulder above the aperture ring and up to the hood, then push down carefully and very carefully with a precision screw driver make tuck things in neatly the 'pile' should dampen the ring a little. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobertJRB Posted July 16, 2012 Share #10 Posted July 16, 2012 Could have fooled me; mine is fine, as crisp and tight as my other lenses, if not better. Jeff Well maybe u are lucky with it. Point is, of the 28 crons I tried (black and silver ones) they all had the same feel in the apenture ring, Just a little more play as with the others. With the inspection at leica they said it was working fine. With that inspection they even replaced the shutterspeed button just to make it turn like it was new (worked fine before so never expected them to replace that). So I don't have the idea they did not look carfully. I don't know what lenses you have further, but I find the newer lenses (super elmar 18mm for example) to have a more sturdy apenture ring than the older lenses. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen.s1 Posted July 16, 2012 Share #11 Posted July 16, 2012 FWIW, my 4072290's aperture ring has always been very firm... There's no way it's going to be disturbed by fat fingers on the focusing ring. So they CAN be made properly. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gjames9142 Posted July 16, 2012 Share #12 Posted July 16, 2012 I am a huge fan of the V4 28 Elmarit (46), which is not a small lens, but mechanically perfect for me -- especially the silky smooth focusing. I have been making spectacular 36 in prints from it and the M9. They also don't seem to cost an arm and a leg -- just saw a clean one going for $950, which is a steal. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter H Posted July 16, 2012 Share #13 Posted July 16, 2012 Of my Leica lenses the 28 Summicron has the loosest aperture ring, but its absolutely not a problem. And I agree, no Leica lens has as beautiful a feel to the aperture ring as Zeiss somehow manage with their lenses. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mctuomey Posted July 16, 2012 Author Share #14 Posted July 16, 2012 I have several zeiss lenses and love their ergonomics. The only ZM lens I've not been crazy about is the 28 f/2.8, thus my interest in the Leica 28's. I think I'm going to have the lens serviced - I want it 6-bit coded anyway - and see whether anything can be done for ring on my copy. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
IkarusJohn Posted July 16, 2012 Share #15 Posted July 16, 2012 I have several zeiss lenses and love their ergonomics. The only ZM lens I've not been crazy about is the 28 f/2.8, thus my interest in the Leica 28's. I think I'm going to have the lens serviced - I want it 6-bit coded anyway - and see whether anything can be done for ring on my copy. My ZM 15 Distagon is probably the best made lens I have (by feel). The loosest aperture ring is on my Noctilux 0.95. I've had my 28 Summicron ASPH serviced and coded, and the stops on its aperture ring are firm and precise. It also has the smoothest focusing ring of all my lenses. It seems to sit on my M9 a lot of the time (I also have the totally overpriced scalloped metal lens hood, as opposed to the ridiculous huge thing that came with the lens). So, the trip to Solms worked well for my 28. Cheers John Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
nelly Posted July 17, 2012 Share #16 Posted July 17, 2012 I highly recommend the 28 Summicron.The aperture ring on my lens has always had a perfect feel from day one and focusing is very smooth If you do get one I recommend changing the lens hood to the previous 35 summilux hood (12589) as much more compact I did have a problem with my new 35 summilux aperture ring moving far too easily and sent in to Leica for adjustment and now it feels great. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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