Dougg Posted June 25, 2015 Share #1 Posted June 25, 2015 Advertisement (gone after registration) I've just had my Summicron for a month, and the focus is stiff and I think getting stiffer over time. The body's AF motor strains loudly to focus the lens, sometimes won't do a final small fine-tune, and after some shooting refuses to work at all... I suspect the over-worked AF motor overheats and gives up. Manual focus continues to work, but it's stiff to move. Just got back from a road trip vacation during which I quit using it for fear of damaging the camera. Disappointing of course, and it's on its way to the dealer to handle the service. Anyone else encounter such an issue with an S lens? And, BTW, the Summicron is glorious, giving luscious rich color and sharpness corner-to-corner even wide open. I will miss using it for the next few weeks. Doug Below is a Summicron-S shot wide open at the Monterey Aquarium 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/246895-summicron-s-af-problem/?do=findComment&comment=2842038'>More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted June 25, 2015 Posted June 25, 2015 Hi Dougg, Take a look here Summicron-S AF problem. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Guest NEIL-D-WILLIAMS Posted June 25, 2015 Share #2 Posted June 25, 2015 Sorry to hear about your lens issue.............what focal length is it and does it have CS Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
topoxforddoc Posted June 25, 2015 Share #3 Posted June 25, 2015 The 100 summicron s focal plane only. No CS version Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest NEIL-D-WILLIAMS Posted June 25, 2015 Share #4 Posted June 25, 2015 The 100 summicron s focal plane only. No CS version That's why then Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
John McMaster Posted June 25, 2015 Share #5 Posted June 25, 2015 That's why then Plus it is the only Summicron in the S range..... john Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
120 Posted July 3, 2015 Share #6 Posted July 3, 2015 ...Anyone else encounter such an issue with an S lens?... Just the stiffness...my 100 bought last Dec. "catches" and I think is very stiff. Leica NJ told me there is no adjustment for that. The AF works fine, but I have not actually used the lens yet. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
120 Posted July 8, 2015 Share #7 Posted July 8, 2015 Advertisement (gone after registration) I've just had my Summicron for a month, and the focus is stiff and I think getting stiffer over time. The body's AF motor strains loudly to focus the lens, sometimes won't do a final small fine-tune, and after some shooting refuses to work at all... I suspect the over-worked AF motor overheats and gives up. Manual focus continues to work, but it's stiff to move. Just got back from a road trip vacation during which I quit using it for fear of damaging the camera. Disappointing of course, and it's on its way to the dealer to handle the service. Anyone else encounter such an issue with an S lens? ... I am wondering what you found out about your lens? Did you have a stiff ring before the auto focus problem showed up? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest NEIL-D-WILLIAMS Posted July 8, 2015 Share #8 Posted July 8, 2015 I hate to say it but yesterday while out shooting I experienced a similar thing with my 70mm lens. when I hit the back button joystick which is my AF button nothing happened, I tried switching off the camera pulling battery etc etc but nothing happened. I then removed the lens and put it back on and bingo AF was working great again.......... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dougg Posted July 9, 2015 Author Share #9 Posted July 9, 2015 I am wondering what you found out about your lens? Did you have a stiff ring before the auto focus problem showed up? Hi -- The lens was sent off to Germany by my dealer without examination, no word yet. Neil, I wonder if at first your 70mm wasn't seated just so, and a slight "drive shaft" misalignment might have been the cause. If the lens continues to behave itself now, we might assume that's correct. My lens was fine at first, and slowed down more often and then loud complaints more often from the focus motor until finally it began giving up completely. Manual focus still worked but I noted the focus ring felt stiffer than it should, and definitely stiffer than my 70 & 35mm lenses... which both continued to AF just fine. I have the feeling that it repeats the progression on each occasion I have it out and focusing fairly often... that is, it may start out reasonably ok and gradually bog down with usage. I hope Wetzlar will be able to duplicate/confirm the problem! Doug Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
xiaubauu2009 Posted July 22, 2015 Share #10 Posted July 22, 2015 Leica's component are not as durable as thought Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dougg Posted August 22, 2015 Author Share #11 Posted August 22, 2015 Just the stiffness...my 100 bought last Dec. "catches" and I think is very stiff. Leica NJ told me there is no adjustment for that. The AF works fine, but I have not actually used the lens yet. I hope your lens has settled in and is behaving itself! Service on the S gear is apparently not handled by Leica NJ, as it always goes to Germany. So they might not be fully up to speed on the intimate details of S system service. When my S2 got the top-plate OLED replaced I sent the camera to NJ and they then sent it on to Germany. My 100 Summicron is now back from Germany, the process ably managed by Josh at Leica Store Miami (where I purchased the lens). At no cost except my initial shipping. The focus is now smooth and quiet, the AF working ok in a brief walk about the neighborhood. And manual focus is not stiff, just right, so clearly that aspect was serviceable. Doug Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
120 Posted August 25, 2015 Share #12 Posted August 25, 2015 I hope your lens has settled in and is behaving itself! Service on the S gear is apparently not handled by Leica NJ, as it always goes to Germany. So they might not be fully up to speed on the intimate details of S system service. When my S2 got the top-plate OLED replaced I sent the camera to NJ and they then sent it on to Germany. My 100 Summicron is now back from Germany, the process ably managed by Josh at Leica Store Miami (where I purchased the lens). At no cost except my initial shipping. The focus is now smooth and quiet, the AF working ok in a brief walk about the neighborhood. And manual focus is not stiff, just right, so clearly that aspect was serviceable. Doug Thanks for the update, and glad to hear things were put right. Thanks for the comments--I tried a couple hours of just turning the ring when I got it. I had my dealer try his two copies and one was stiffer than the other. I will send it back because it has just sat in the box for 9 months. I think a lens that is too stiff will pull to the side and increase camera shake. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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