Focus ring sticking, need advice

[douglasf13]

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Hi. I just received a used 50 Summicron-M (newest version,) and it feels like there is a little bit of a notch when I turn the focus ring from infinity and get to about 1.2 meters on the distance scale. It doesn't happen going to opposite direction, or, oddly enough, if I turn the lens upside down so that the focus scale faces the floor.

 

I got a great deal on this lens, and the glass is clean, so I'd hate to send it back. Does anyone know if this something that tends to work out on its own, and, if not, how much something like this would be to repair (I'm in the Los Angeles area?) Should I just send it back? Thanks!

Edited October 13, 2012 by douglasf13

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[brianv]

How old is the lens?

 

I've had some freshly lubed lenses do this, then work it's way out as the lube distributes.

 

I've had lenses that need to be cleaned and relubed do this: the old grease is hard.

 

A Clean-lube-adjust will take care of it, if it is not bad- just use it. All depends on how good the price was.

[250swb]

I have had two lenses with slightly notchy focusing. The first, a 35mm Summicron ASPH, I just assumed I needed to send it back to Leica for an internal adjustment, but I never got around to it. Then I thought I would change the bayonet mount for a Chinese coded type, and when I did the notchiness went way. As a test I put the original mount back on and carefully did the screws up gradually, opposite to opposite, and lo and behold the notchiness had gone with that as well.

 

I then got a 28mm Summicron a couple of years ago that had a notchy sticky focus ring, and this time I just undid the screws and carefully tightened them again and once again the notchiness had gone. I'm not saying it is a miracle cure, but it may be worth a try, just make sure you use the correct size screwdriver.

 

Steve

[tobey bilek]

I tighten the focus rings one screw at a time with around three tightenings of each. Follow the same pattern as lug nut on your car, opposites in a star pattern.

 

After I rotate tires, I tighten the lug nuts the very same way, 50 ft lb, each, then 60, then 75, then 100. I have never warped a rotor. They are done at the factory with a machine that does all 5 at one time. I can only simulate this.

 

Let the grease monkey who works to a time schedule use his impact set to max and he WILL RUIN YOUR ROTORS IN SHORT ORDER. You will notice the brakes pulsate. In Leicas case, they pull the focus a bit out of shape. It will not wear in.

[IWC Doppel]

If it were me I'd send to a specialist for a clean, re lube and adjustment.

 

If its not coded you could do that at the same time. I had two lenses with sticky focus tabs and both came back perfect and I also found that the glass on one lens had some oil mist, so without a clean the image would be marginally compromised

 

I recently had a mint 1968 lens cleaned and lubed, seems only fair with 45 year old grease !

 

I can recommend Malcolm Taylor in the UK

[brianv]

With the Russian lenses: you have to put the set screws back in the holes that they came out of, three set screws for the focus ring- keep them in order. Same with the guide pins. I use an ice-cube tray to keep the order straight, one screw in each bin of the tray. Learned from experience.