Slight rattle with APO 50

[Joshua Lowe]

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I feel silly even posting this but I'm a little more sensitive to perceived issues with this lens because of the expense.

 

I noticed today there's a slight rattle emanating from my APO 50.  It think it's coming from somewhere between the focus ring and the mounting flange.  I notice if I lightly wiggle the lens tab forward and back I can reproduce it, or it often happens just during regular handling while mounted to a body.  The flange itself seems to be secure.  I don't think it's a big deal, image quality's great, etc.  

Is this normal?  The entire lens feels a little bit more "loose" than any other Leica lens I've used.  I know the aperture ring feeling loose is a common thing, for example.  But I've never read anyone else mentioning a rattle, even a minor one.

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[Jared]

Mine does not have a similar rattle. Usually, it's the diaphragm blades that cause these types of rattles. That would s pretty common with some Leica M lenses. If you can't feel any play anywhere and image quality is fine I would just ignore it. I know, easier said than done.

 

- Jared

[Herr Barnack]

I have owned six new M lenses and one used M lens over the years.  None of them have ever rattled.

 

In fact, my 50/1.4 millennium didn't even rattle after it was accidentally dropped on a ceramic tile floor.

[Berlinman]

I had a loose front part of my 50APO. I had to send it to Leica. It is now back and absolut fine.

[Joshua Lowe]

Thank you for the responses.  The rattle has annoyed/concerned me to the point where I contacted Leica customer care.  The upshot is that it's no longer under warranty but it may not have had the flare service done.  So that may be an avenue for getting it serviced under coverage.  Either way it means sending it off, possibly for an extended period of time as it apparently has to go all the way back to Wetzlar for the flaring service.  But if it has had the flaring service done then it sounds like I'll have to pay out of my own pocket if I want the rattle fixed.  

 

I'm a bit frustrated.  I'm now "down" three lenses.  One of them is 100% my fault - I dropped my Summicron 35.  But the other two are not: my Summilux 50's lens hood has been problematic since it was brand new and now this weird rattling with my APO 50.  And while customer care has been responsive, I didn't care for their answer.  Taking a position that an $8,000 lens that's barely out of warranty isn't covered for a defect in workmanship is below the bar.

 

For the first time since buying into the Leica M system I contemplated getting out.

[Arai]

Thank you for the responses.  The rattle has annoyed/concerned me to the point where I contacted Leica customer care.  The upshot is that it's no longer under warranty but it may not have had the flare service done.  So that may be an avenue for getting it serviced under coverage.  Either way it means sending it off, possibly for an extended period of time as it apparently has to go all the way back to Wetzlar for the flaring service.  But if it has had the flaring service done then it sounds like I'll have to pay out of my own pocket if I want the rattle fixed.  

 

I'm a bit frustrated.  I'm now "down" three lenses.  One of them is 100% my fault - I dropped my Summicron 35.  But the other two are not: my Summilux 50's lens hood has been problematic since it was brand new and now this weird rattling with my APO 50.  And while customer care has been responsive, I didn't care for their answer.  Taking a position that an $8,000 lens that's barely out of warranty isn't covered for a defect in workmanship is below the bar.

 

For the first time since buying into the Leica M system I contemplated getting out.

 

They will repair the rattle and CLA'd your lens. It will be back normal as it is, I'm 99% sure. I received back my M9 in Nov from sensor replacement, they cleaned the VF and all free of charge.