Question about Leica 80mm Summilux 1.4

[ericsanpablo]

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Hi I have a Leica 80mm/1.4, and find its focusing seems to have a bit of resistance. Is this normal? I had a CLA done by Youxin Ye, and his response was: "For R lens, yes since the focus helical is very long. I checked it, there is no grease aging problem in the helical." Also, from reading the net, it seems like it might have also been by design to have the focus ring have a bit more resistance in it.... That said, mine is quite a bit more stiff than say, my 19/2.8 ii elmarit for example. I'd say its not so stiff that I can't focus with it, its just a different type of smoothness.....Can any other 80mm lux owner give their two cents?

[k_g_wolf ✝]

Welcome to the forum, Eric. That´s a stiff question. All the longer

lenses seem to focus "stiffer" than shorter lenses, but to check wether

it´s normal or not, one has to see and try the lens personally.

 

If it has been worked on properly, try to "ride" the lens in. When watching your next

TV-movie, move the barrel of the lens for a while to both ends of the focusspectrum,

it should get a bit softer with time. The 80mm SUMMILUX is a gem of a lens, enjoy!

 

 

Best

GEORG

[H.Beatzel]

Hi Eric,

 

It is hard to say what is stiff and what is not, when you do not physically have the lens in

your hands.

I have the same lens and would say the focus is not too stiff, when I compare it with my

other lenses, than I would say it is indeed a bit stiffer, but I have never had an uncomfortable

feeling when using it.

 

If the lens is new, maybe you should work the lens in, by lets say turning the focus ring approx. 50 times a day for a couple of days.

 

Nevertheless to 80mm Summilux is an extraordinary excellent lens, especially if you make portraits.

 

regards,

Helmut

[xalo]

Hello and welcome Eric,

 

when I still had this beautiful beast, my 80/1,4 also had a rather stiff focus throw. A Leica shop here in Paris mentioned that most of them were this way. Also, it may even be an advantage, given how critical correct focussing with this lens is wide open. Someone around here who handles this lens masterfully may have true insights -- am thinking of roguewave/Ben.

 

Cheers,

 

Alexander

[Alon]

All R's with a fixed focal and a moving barrel have more resistance than most if not all R's of fixed focal with a non moving barrel.

 

So what are we comparing?

For example both the 180APO and the 280APO are a one (strong) finger touch focus....etc

The Lux 80 and the 100APO need a 3 finger prong....etc

[algrove]

Interesting what you say. I never gave it much thought, but once I get home I will check to see how my R's focus. On this trip I have the APO 180/2.8, the 15/2.8 and the APO 70-180/2.8 and the 28-90/2.8 and they all seem fine to me.

[anabasis]

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In general, my IF lenses in R-mount have looser focus feel than the ones with extending rings.

 

My examples for IF are the 180 Summicron, and the 3 Telyt focus modules. For regular lenses, I have the 21/4 Super angulon, 35 Elmarit, 90mm Summicron, and 100 APO-Elmarit.

 

JCA

[farnz]

I'd class the focussing action on my 80 Summilux-R as 'heavy but smooth' and about the same as the 50/1 Noctilux. My 19 Elmarit-R v2 I'd class as 'light but smooth' and similar to my 50 Summicron-R v1 but slightly heavier than the 80-200/4 Vario-Elmar-R. Hope this helps.

 

Pete.