Problem with Lens hood on 50mm Summilux ASPH

[michaelstokes]

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I have just returned from a two week trip to Cuba and again I have had a problem with the screw coming out in the lens hood of the 50mm S'Lux asph even though I had put some selloptaoe over it before I travelled to try to prevent this happening. Fortunately on this occasion I found the screw. However, I stopped using the lens because I did not want to risk damaging the front element.

 

This is the third time in eighteen months and it has already been repaired twice by Leica. Is anyone else experiencing this? I find it my favourite focal length with the MM for street photography and also use a 35FLE & 90 Elmarit. At this stage I have think of selling it and getting another 50mm or 77mm. What do people find works best with the MM for street work?

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[Bill W]

Not sure what screw you are talking about but have you tried locktite or clear fingernail polish on the threads? I am not familar with selloptaoe.

[jdlaing]

Not sure what screw you are talking about but have you tried locktite or clear fingernail polish on the threads? I am not familar with selloptaoe.

 

(Scotch Tape-cellophane tape)

[peterbengtson]

My problem with this lens has been keep the hood extended so it does offer protection. I finally gave up on it, went to ebay and bought a cheap 46mm vented hood. Works and looks fine and it was cheap so if it does do it's job and gets damaged protecting the lens I can just replace it. I think it was this one, but there are many listed.

 

46mm Metal Vented Screw in Lens Hood for All 46mm Filter Size Lens | eBay

[michaelstokes]

Thanks Peter. This looks like a perfect solution. I am still a baffled as to why the screw on the underside of the lens hood flange keeps getting loose.

[pfhrased]

Mine came out of the then brand-new chrome summilux 50 I own, and then the entire hood and filter assembly fell off the lens. I caught it, thankfully.

After a quick trip back to Sölms, it has returned good as new, with no rattling, looseness .. or separation issues.

[stephen.w]

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I have never used the built-in hood (or any other hood) for mine (although it is never without a B+W MRC filter). Never had a problem with flare.

[RoySmith]

I had to laugh at myself when, after ≈ 6 months of using the 50mm lux, I discovered that I could lock the hood out by rotating it. I haven't had any trouble with the screw loosening.

[mmradman]

Built in hood sucks.

 

I use short 46mm Heliopan screw in lenshood. It has screw thread on the front end standard lens cap can be attached as normal. Overall lens barrel is slightly longer than when built in hood is extended but no detectable vignetting even when using filter between the lens and hood.

 

For those in UK Teamwork is the stockist.

[Aloisius]

I just had this happen to my silver 50mm summilux-m 50mm ASPH as well. It was in my bag, I went to grab it 20 minutes after the last time I took a photo and the whole lens hood assembly fell off. It does appear that the screw on the bottom simply worked its way loose.

 

I called the parts department at Leica in NJ and they're sending me out a new screw. This seems like a better idea than sending the entire lens in for repair since the lens element doesn't appear to have any damage.

[epand56]

Never had any problem with the hood of my Summilux 35/1.4 Asph. The only screw I can spot is on the lower side of the lock ring. But in years of use it is always there.

[preich]

I just experienced the same issue with my 8 month-old 50 Summilux. I guess the screw fell off and I was fortunate to catch the hood in my hands.

I did not want to take any chances and just sent the lens back to my dealer, who will take care of the repair under warranty.

Quite disappointed with the poor mechanical solution that Leica used on this hood extension. Hopefully it will be loctited during the repair process.

[Joshua Lowe]

Back when this happened to me I bought a set of JIS screwdrivers and tightened the screw properly.  It hasn't backed out since then.  That said, I still check it frequently. 

[picboy]

new member of the club.  I can't believe this thing is engineered this way--one lousy tiny screw facing down holds the hood (and the filter). Mine came out and of course I don't know where the screw is.  I'll call Leica.  Unbelievable they didn't have a better design.  I'll probably sell it too, I just can't be caught in the field with a lens that falls apart so easily.  thinking about it, the whole assembly holding the filter is very weak--thus the filter really doesn't protect the element much should screw come loose or if you unintentionally bump the hood -- that little screw is just not going hold up any stress.  At a minimum they should have used multiple screws or better yet had the hood assembly screw into the body of the lens.  $4K???

[250swb]

 I'll probably sell it too, I just can't be caught in the field with a lens that falls apart so easily.

 

Some may think selling the lens is a little bit over dramatic when there is a 5 dollar solution (Loctite) to the problem? Having a screw loose should be weighed against all those people who aren't writing in, not the couple who do.

 

Steve

[picboy]

Selling may be "over dramatic" but it's not reassuring that the filter/hood assembly is only held on the lens with a tiny little screw that naturally wants to fall out. My other Leica lenses appear to be much better designed.  I suspect a junior engineer slipped the 50 sum design in--it just doesn't make sense-- it would have been so easy to create a more robust solution.  this design will allow moisture or dust to enter behind the filter as the hood is somewhat a loose fit.  Now, my lens sits in its case until I can get it fixed.  I just bought it new a few months ago.  I also bought a new 35 1.4, and its filter/hood design is the other end of the spectrum--amazing and very robust. 

 

Anyway, owners of newer units should make sure to check this screw constantly to ensure it is tight, otherwise they risk having their hood and filter flopping off.  Perhaps there was a production run where they forgot to apply some sort of Loctite.  Mine is a late 43XX number

[Joshua Lowe]

I fixed this issue back in February by purchasing a set of JIS screwdrivers and tightening the screw myself.  Since then it has not backed out at all.  Be very careful if you opt to do this because that is a tiny screw and it does not need much torque at all.  If you over torque it you can easily strip the head or worse. 

 

Some may think selling the lens is a little bit over dramatic when there is a 5 dollar solution (Loctite) to the problem? Having a screw loose should be weighed against all those people who aren't writing in, not the couple who do.

 

Steve

 

Honestly, I can feel his frustration.  Spending ~$4,000 US on a precision engineered lens only to encounter such a sloppy piece of detail work is pretty bad.  Especially when it seems to be a relatively common problem.  Based on your username I'm guessing you have one of Maranello's finest, I'm sure it's occasionally exhibited some behaviors not appropriate to the price tag that make you pull out your hair.

Edited July 14, 2015 by Joshua Lowe

[rramesh]

Use the screw on Contax hood on top of the Summilux. It's cheap and it makes for a useful front protector.

 

The GG1 fits the 28 Summicron, GG2 50 Summilux and the GG3 90 Elmarit-M as they are all 46mm.

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/metal-hood-cap-set-4-Contax-replace-GG1-GG-2-GG-3-BLACK-/110321977698?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19afb3c962

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[riswanc]

Can we just unscrew it before it happens?

 

I rather take precautions

[Dikaiosune01]

Ive had mine come off once.  Lost the screw.  Also lost some of the plastic stoppers used inside the hood rails. Leica charged me 15 USD to replace the screw from Schmidt Marketing.  

 

Since then, I've used the 50 less and less.  I've begun to migrate to a 35mm and 75mm combination.