teids Posted January 4, 2014 Share #1  Posted January 4, 2014 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hi everyone,  I recently noticed that some oil spots are appearing on my 50 Summilux ASPH. I am actually not sure that its oil, but it is what I suppose.  Is this common? I am afraid that the oil could spread into other parts...  Your help is highly appreciated.  Teids Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/219573-oil-spots-on-aperture-blades/?do=findComment&comment=2501516'>More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted January 4, 2014 Posted January 4, 2014 Hi teids, Take a look here Oil spots on Aperture blades?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
earleygallery Posted January 4, 2014 Share #2 Â Posted January 4, 2014 That is probably oil. If the lens is under warranty return it for cleaning, otherwise keep the aperture wide open when not in use and it may clear itself (this tip worked for my Summicron R). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
250swb Posted January 4, 2014 Share #3 Â Posted January 4, 2014 Yes, I wouldn't panic. It's when oil starts to look liquid, very wet, and spreads much further that you need to worry, and then not because it tends to get onto the glass but the sticky drag it causes can damage the aperture blades causing them to buckle. But obviously if still in warranty get it done while it is still current. Â Steve Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
teids Posted January 5, 2014 Author Share #4 Â Posted January 5, 2014 James and Steve, thank you very much for your reassuring replies. Â As the Lens is still under warranty, I will contact the local Leica Service and send it for a little cleaning to prevent further risks. Â Thanks Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tonki-M Posted January 5, 2014 Share #5 Â Posted January 5, 2014 same thing happened to mine. it doesnt affect pictures and it hasnt hinder my aperture action, and i'm never selling this lens...so 1 year later, it's still has oily blades Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Mr. B Posted January 6, 2014 Share #6 Â Posted January 6, 2014 This is apparently common with older lenses. I emailed Erwin Puts about this regarding a lens I was considering buying, and he said it was not a reason not to buy the lens. The only problem I can see is that if the oil comes into contact with the glass. I have wondered if one of the causes of the oil on the blades is due to the lens being subjected to hight heat? I live in an area where it gets very hot in the summer, and that is one reason I never bought a black camera bag. Mr. B Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
teids Posted January 10, 2014 Author Share #7 Â Posted January 10, 2014 Advertisement (gone after registration) This is apparently common with older lenses. I emailed Erwin Puts about this regarding a lens I was considering buying, and he said it was not a reason not to buy the lens. The only problem I can see is that if the oil comes into contact with the glass. I have wondered if one of the causes of the oil on the blades is due to the lens being subjected to hight heat? I live in an area where it gets very hot in the summer, and that is one reason I never bought a black camera bag.Mr. B Â Thanks Mr. B for your reply. Â The lens was not recently exposed to high heat. Â I have called and sent an email to Leica and they told me that it was fine to keep it like this. The agent however sitll said that if I still wanted to I could send the lens for cleaning directly at the Swiss customer care center in Nidau. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dkmoore Posted February 12, 2015 Share #8 Â Posted February 12, 2015 Hello all, Â I am not sure if this thread will still be read but I wanted to add my experience. A couple of posters commented that extreme high heat and/or being an older lens may lead to this issue. Â I have the latest version 50 Lux that was CLA'd by Leica NJ a few months ago and I am showing a little of this oil on my blades (looks the same). Â Could it be that the unit was just over lubricated? Â I have delayed sending mine in as I will miss the lens being away from me for 6-10 weeks again, which is the current lead time. : ( Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Herr Barnack Posted February 12, 2015 Share #9 Â Posted February 12, 2015 Regarding this issue being common among older lenses, I have a 50 Summilux with a 2002 birth date that does not exhibit this oily aperture blades issue. It predates the first 50 Summilux ASPH so it seems that age would be a non-factor. Â When I worked for a camera retailer, all the lenses that were brought in with oily aperture blades had been left in a hot car in the summertime. They had overheated as a result. According to the Leica NJ tech guys, M cameras and lenses use a lubricant that is stable to 140F or 60C. It will easily get to 160F (71C) or hotter in a closed up car during hot weather. This overheating causes the lubricant to change states, from a dry lubricant to what looks like oil. Â If I had a lens with oil on the aperture blades, I would have a CLA done on it as a precaution. Using the lens in this condition may or may not cause damage to the aperture blades and other moving parts, why take the chance? If it does cause damage, you will end up paying for a CLA along with the cost of the repair for the damage caused to the lens. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lenshacker Posted February 12, 2015 Share #10 Â Posted February 12, 2015 The worst possible effect that oil on the blades can have- spreading to the surfaces on each side of the aperture, either flowing to them or by outgassing. This takes a few years, but happens. Oil at the level shown is not going to do this, once it builds up enough to be "pushed around" opening/closing the blades- it can. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
WeiterWinkel Posted February 12, 2015 Share #11 Â Posted February 12, 2015 My 50 Lux had those oily spots on the blades. I had bought it second hand but it was still under warranty. Leica service told me not to worry, but they would clean it for free. I sent it to Solms and got it back 2 weeks later, clean an perfect. Â Cheers, Thomas Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
WeiterWinkel Posted February 12, 2015 Share #12 Â Posted February 12, 2015 My 50 Lux had those oily spots on the blades. I had bought it second hand but it was still under warranty. Leica service told me not to worry, but they would clean it for free. I sent it to Solms and got it back 2 weeks later, clean and perfect. Â Cheers, Thomas Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdlaing Posted February 12, 2015 Share #13 Â Posted February 12, 2015 There's an echo in here echo in here. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike F Posted February 13, 2015 Share #14 Â Posted February 13, 2015 Many people have reported oil on the blades of the 50 'lux ASPH within only a short time of owning a new copy. It seems this particular lens is more prone to it on average. Â I can also speak from experience - within less than a year of owing one, my copy of this lens has developed oil on the blades. I store it in a camera bag wide open and it has never been exposed to high, prolonged temperatures. I spoke to a Leica technician in my city and he said that it's very unlikely to ever affect image quality and make its way onto the glass. If I ever decide to get mine cleaned it would probably be at a point when i'm considering selling it or if it becomes a real problem first. Â You can read more on the issue here, where i've also posted a picture of my lens partway through: Â http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=144194 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Herr Barnack Posted February 13, 2015 Share #15  Posted February 13, 2015 Many people have reported oil on the blades of the 50 'lux ASPH within only a short time of owning a new copy. It seems this particular lens is more prone to it on average. I can also speak from experience - within less than a year of owing one, my copy of this lens has developed oil on the blades. I store it in a camera bag wide open and it has never been exposed to high, prolonged temperatures. I spoke to a Leica technician in my city and he said that it's very unlikely to ever affect image quality and make its way onto the glass. If I ever decide to get mine cleaned it would probably be at a point when i'm considering selling it or if it becomes a real problem first.  You can read more on the issue here, where i've also posted a picture of my lens partway through:  http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=144194  Interesting.  I am at a total loss to understand what could be causing this in a new lens that has never been exposed to high heat. Defective (incorrectly formulated) lubricant is the only thing I can think of that could cause this. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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