Old 50 mm summicron M 7 lenses, distance setting ring sticky

[DBAUDUI1]

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Hello,

I have a very nice summicron Rigid, which I would like to use, but its distance setting ring is a bit sticky. What should I do?

Many thanks in advance.

Dominique

[jdlaing]

Sounds like the lubricant is hardening. A clean, lube and adjust may be in order.

[farnz]

I agree with JD - it sounds like it's time for the lens to have a CLA.

 

Pete.

[Michael Geschlecht]

Hello Dominique,

 

Welcome to the Forum.

 

Before you send your lens in for a clean, lube & adjust why don't you try exercising the lens.

 

Leicas & their Leitz/Leica lenses are like Samoyeds: They enjoy being couch potatos sometimes but they are really at their best when they are working.

 

Why don't you sit with your lens for a while & turn the focusing mount back & forth 100 (One Hundred) times. As a start.

 

Please do the same with the aperture setting dial.

 

Leitz/Leica equipment is built to be used all day long, every day, for a lot of years, before it needs servicing.

 

Sometimes a lens or camera that sits too long without being used is like a person who sits on a couch all day: Both might benefit from some exercise altho both might be a little "creaky" when they start to do something.

 

If that doesn't solve the problem get back to us here.

 

Best Regards,

 

Michael

[DBAUDUI1]

Many thanks for your help. I will try to exercise this lens and will keep you updated.

Dominique

[DBAUDUI1]

Hello Sir,

 

You are correct. After using it a lot to my great satisfaction, on a Leica M240, as well as on a Leica M5 and M4, this lens works presently like a charm and gives really excellent results. I used it this weekend during a wedding! Its was a dream to use, and the pictures are first class!.

It was not necessary to give it for a CLA. The original lubricant has been naturally fluidified only by using the lens, which is now showing its legendary softness of use, together with it perfect optical qualities.

 

Best regards.

Dominique

[lct]

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Lucky you. Doesn't work with all lenses. Did not work with my 50/1.4 asph, 90/4 collapsible and my recently acquired 90/2 v2. In my modest experience, a good CLA is never a bad solution. 

[wlaidlaw]

Another trick I have found with sticky lenses, is to remove the lens and set to infinity. Then put a very small smear of thin silicone grease with micronised teflon over the part of the focusing helicoid that is exposed at the rear of the lens at infinity. You have to make sure you get none of the grease on the inside surface of the lens barrel, as it is a pig to get off the rear element. You then remount the lens and spend about 15 minutes running it from infinity to close focus. The grease gradually works its way up the helicoid. You may need to repeat the process with a little more grease. This is not as good as a CLA but it is a lot cheaper. I did it yesterday to the Canon 50cm f1.8 LTM lens I acquired for my Reid III. It is now focussing a lot more smoothly than it was. Silicone grease is best as it does not harden with age, like animal based or petrochemical greases tend to do or evaporate and re-condense on the aperture blades. 

 

Wilson