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Leica MP wiggle


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Hello,

 

I purchased recently a second-hand Leica MP and I noticed that the lenses I mounted on it are playing a bit (wiggle). 35mm lens is playing a bit more than the 75 one. So the lenses doesnt fix very tight.

Have you experienced that? It is normal? Or should I send it to service?

I would appreciate your answers.

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Realy? I have no "wiggle" on any of my Leica M Bodies, both new and second hand.

 

Congratulations! Or try harder!

 

For the record the current number of camera's I can detect a very small amount of movement by twisting a locked lens against the body is M246, M4-P, M2, MP, and an M6. And I can't think of any that I've had previously that a tiny bit of movement can't be detected. It is so the locating pin in the lens can fall into the rebate on the mounting ring, a perfect fit would cause all sorts of problems. And what can it affect if there is a small amount of 'wiggle' on a film body? Nothing at all is the answer. I mean, if it was so bad it changed the framelines while the lens was still locked in place you'd have a problem, but has anybody actually heard of that impossibility happening?

 

 

Steve

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Congratulations! Or try harder!

 

For the record the current number of camera's I can detect a very small amount of movement by twisting a locked lens against the body is M246, M4-P, M2, MP, and an M6. And I can't think of any that I've had previously that a tiny bit of movement can't be detected. It is so the locating pin in the lens can fall into the rebate on the mounting ring, a perfect fit would cause all sorts of problems. And what can it affect if there is a small amount of 'wiggle' on a film body? Nothing at all is the answer. I mean, if it was so bad it changed the framelines while the lens was still locked in place you'd have a problem, but has anybody actually heard of that impossibility happening?

 

 

Steve

It rather depends on what you mean by a "tiny bit of movement". If you have a noticeable wiggle you have a problem.

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Twisting play isn't an issue, just tolerances on the locking parts, but a rocking wiggle where an edge lifts from the flange surface would be bad. I have an old Exakta (before the added tension springs to the bayonet) that does that, which is why in the LTM days Leica criticized bayonet mount as sloppy.

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The OP said "So the lenses doesnt fix very tight." That is why I used the word noticeable. Also the fact that the 35mm lens is "playing" more than the 75mm is interesting as a longer lens would normally be more prone to movement than a shorter lens (physical length not focal length).

As TomB_tx said, is it twisting or rocking movement?

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It rather depends on what you mean by a "tiny bit of movement". If you have a noticeable wiggle you have a problem.

 

Well it was noticed, but why is it a problem? It doesn't affect focusing, it doesn't mean the lens is going to fall off, what is the problem?

 

As lenses and the body flange wear from new to worn-in the amount of wiggle (twist) will be different for each lens and body combination as they individually age. Having no tolerance at all means it would be a tight interference fit and guaranteed to wear even faster. The pin in the lens and rebate on the flange are simple stops, so long as it can't go one way or the other too much it's doing its job as designed.

 

Steve

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Well it was noticed, but why is it a problem? It doesn't affect focusing, it doesn't mean the lens is going to fall off, what is the problem?

 

As lenses and the body flange wear from new to worn-in the amount of wiggle (twist) will be different for each lens and body combination as they individually age. Having no tolerance at all means it would be a tight interference fit and guaranteed to wear even faster. The pin in the lens and rebate on the flange are simple stops, so long as it can't go one way or the other too much it's doing its job as designed.

 

Steve

I think the OP's last post seems to indicate that it is not a major problem.

I am, however, interested in your last comment regarding the pin in the lens and the rebate in the flange. All my Leicas have the pin in the flange and the rebate in the lens, but I think I know what you mean :)

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all digital M bodies I have do twist a little bit (a portion of a mm.). The two brand new MP of mine have a bigger movement (equal with all lenses and....two portion of a mm.  :) ). So I think it's normal. don't be scared.

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Hello, Thank you very much for your answers. I think it is twisting, I mean is not very noticeable, but it is. Also it has a mall sound, like clink. On my M9 doesnt happen.

The M9 was my first Leica and the fit of lenses was very snug indeed (requiring three Weetabix for breakfast!).  Subsequently I bought a new M7 and was disconcerted by the apparent looseness of the fit of the lens, akin to a 'knife through butter' as opposed to the heave and grunt required on the M9.  As the M7 had to be returned due to complete electronic failure, I also mentioned the apparent slackness of the bayonet mechanism but was informed it was 'to spec'.  The MP ALC I bought later is somewhere between the two...  

 

In essence, if your M7 has a slight rotational movement, I would not worry.

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My 35/1.4FLE rotates enough to change the frame lines on one of my MPs but not the other. All my other lenses fit snugly. 

Pete

 

I'm experiencing more noticeable rotation with my 35/1.4FLE on my MP too. Ther other lenses I've tried on the MP fits snugly (50 Lux ASPH, 90 Elmarit-M, 90 Tele-Elmarit, Zeiss 35mm ZM). Maybe it's got something to do with the lens. Oddly enough the 35/1.4FLE fits snugly on the M240, and so does all the other lenses...

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I'm experiencing more noticeable rotation with my 35/1.4FLE on my MP too. Ther other lenses I've tried on the MP fits snugly (50 Lux ASPH, 90 Elmarit-M, 90 Tele-Elmarit, Zeiss 35mm ZM). Maybe it's got something to do with the lens. Oddly enough the 35/1.4FLE fits snugly on the M240, and so does all the other lenses...

This is exactly what it happens with my 35/1.4 FLE.

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Lens lock onto my MA easily but snugly. I don't notice any movement to speak of and if I try to force movement rotationally or laterally I get more visible movement from the various lens component than from any mount movement.

 

As for blithely stating that movement is "normal" based on a description on an internet post...I am a bit confused how that can actually be done. Using the criteria that the lens hasn't unlatched and your photos seem fine is a bit excessive. By the time you notice those kinds of effects I would think that you would be far beyond the maximum limits allowed by the manufacturer.

 

I think the best advice is, if the movement seems excessive to you, then have it checked. A technician can measure the movement and tell you specifically whether or not if it is within spec or if it needs adjustment.

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As for blithely stating that movement is "normal" based on a description on an internet post...I am a bit confused how that can actually be done.

Well let's look at this. First we have one persons 'snug' is another persons 'loose', so the judgement is already skewed. Then we have each lens having a slightly different tolerance based on wear. The we have the lug on the body's lens flange being a different design on digital and film M bodies. The lug on the body flange of a film camera has up and down movement, it rocks about a fraction up and down on every film body from the M3 to the MP. The digital M bodies are a tighter tolerance because the 'lug' is now a pin, and it doesn't rock up and down, but in order for the lens to snap into place there still has to be some leeway, so 'some' movement can still be detected because the lens rebate is a micron bigger than the lug or pin and will get enlarged with age.

 

Let's say it again, if there was no tolerance you wouldn't get your lens to fit on the body with any degree of certainty. It should just snap into place, but on LUF we do have previous questions about lenses not snapping in, and often it is another manufacturers lens that hasn't been finished to the same degree and the machineing of the lens flange has left swarf on the edge of the lens rebate. So tight and loose are irrelevant concepts if the lens fits and locks. But if it is so far out of tolerance that the framelines change by twisting the lens then it is more than likely a lens flange problem rather than a body flange problem.

 

Steve

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  • 2 weeks later...

Just received my a la carte MP and 35mm Summilux and there is noticeable movement between the two. In fact if you shake the camera gently the lens rattles. There is very slight movement with my 28mm and 50mm 'crons, but it's probably 1/3 of the 35mm.

 

I know it won't make any practical difference but it doesn't feel right for such an expensive lens.

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