Stiff Focus Tab

[teids]

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Hi

 

I have recently sent my 50 Summilux ASPH for clean up as they were large oil spots on the aperture blades.

 

The lens was sent to the Swiss Service Center in Nidau and then passed on to Solms.

 

About a month and a half later the lens was returned to me.

 

I notice that the focus tab is now much harder to move around then it used to be and much more stiff then the one on my 28 Cron,

 

One can argue that it is more precise but at the same time it is not as quick to focus.

 

Is this a normal experience on a lens coming back from the factory? Should I "play" extensively with the focus tab (I doubt it would make it better) or should I simply return it for inspection?

 

Thank you very much for your kind assistance.

 

Ted

 

P.s If inhere were only a slight difference I would not post this question

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[Jeff S]

Not sure if you're referring to this issue, which was eventually fixed as I noted, but not by Leica US Service. The issue concerned focusing with the tab in fine increments once the focus was generally close, not so much a very tight focus throughout the focus range, although that also improved somewhat. The focus is still not as smooth as my 28 Summicron Asph, although I attribute that more to the lens design and construction.

 

I assume you checked to ensure that they sent you back the same lens!

 

Jeff

[wlaidlaw]

I gave up on my super stiff chrome 50 ASPH Summilux, which also had a razor sharp focus tab. It went to Solms and came back no better. I did not particularly like the way it rendered, with quite noticeable purple fringing either, so sold it on.

 

Wilson

[teids]

Not sure if you're referring to this issue, which was eventually fixed as I noted, but not by Leica US Service. The issue concerned focusing with the tab in fine increments once the focus was generally close, not so much a very tight focus throughout the focus range, although that also improved somewhat. The focus is still not as smooth as my 28 Summicron Asph, although I attribute that more to the lens design and construction.

 

I assume you checked to ensure that they sent you back the same lens!

 

Jeff

 

Thanks for the reply,

 

The serial number is the same

 

It is stiff throughout the range,

 

I am going to bring it to the store and see what they say.I will let you know the outcome.

 

Ted

[wlaidlaw]

I was speaking to Malcolm Taylor on this issue and he said it is mainly due to the grease Leica now uses on the helicoids, which is particularly sticky. Mind you, my 40/2 Summicron C has come back after its rebuild by Malcolm, using his “special” grease, very stiff in cold weather. I am hoping it will loosen up with a bit more use. The Zeiss ZM lenses are particularly smooth but apparently the grease is so thin on them, that if a lens is left mounted for a long time in a warm place, the grease will pool at the bottom of the helicoid, potentially leaving the rest unlubricated. This can lead to premature wear. The other extreme is my 80-200 Vario Elmar-R, where a puff of wind will more the focus collar. I wish it was stiffer.

 

Wilson

[Jeff S]

I was speaking to Malcolm Taylor on this issue and he said it is mainly due to the grease Leica now uses on the helicoids

 

Same issue DAG reports in my link, although action often seems more 'sticky' than merely tight throughout the range as the OP reports. Don used to work for the company and doesn't have many good things to say about various current supply and service methods and practices.

 

Jeff

[KM-25]

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I gave up on my super stiff chrome 50 ASPH Summilux, which also had a razor sharp focus tab. It went to Solms and came back no better. I did not particularly like the way it rendered, with quite noticeable purple fringing either, so sold it on.

 

I bought one new from a U.S. dealer about two weeks ago and I have to say that after owning a stiff black version a few years back, I was relieved to find mine wonderfully smooth. As for rendering, that is the first I have ever heard a report like that, my previous ones worked fine on the M8/9 and the new chrome one is stellar on my M3.

 

My serial is 424xxxx.

[teids]

Hi,

 

Just to follow up on the issue, I brought the lens to the local dealer. He found as well that the tab was too stiff and sent back the lens to Leica Switzeland. The Lens came back last week and the tab is now smoother.

 

I did not manage to get a detailed answer on what really happened and what they did to fix the issue.

 

Thanks for the various replies.

 

Teids