marcg Posted September 23, 2017 Share #1 Posted September 23, 2017 Advertisement (gone after registration) I've just bought one of these lenses. It seems to be pristine. From that point of view I'm very pleased. However, I'm a bit surprised and disappointed at how stiff the focusing ring is. It's very smooth – meaning that the "stiffness" is even all the way round. But it definitely needs to be pulled/pushed round unlike my other lenses which I would say simply glide. Very difficult to describe a level of stiffness on a forum. However, it's the stiffest lens that I have and I'm wondering whether this is a characteristic of this particular lens which in all other ways seems to attract plaudits. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted September 23, 2017 Posted September 23, 2017 Hi marcg, Take a look here ELMAR 135mm f/4 - stiff???. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
luigi bertolotti Posted September 23, 2017 Share #2 Posted September 23, 2017 Effect of AGING,imho... focusing helicoid had lubricating stuff deposited at factory.. I had the same issue, many years ago, with my Summarex... great glass but (unevenly) stiff : good labs can be of help, and an Elmar 135, if bought for use, is Worth such a maintenance. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
marcg Posted September 23, 2017 Author Share #3 Posted September 23, 2017 (edited) Thanks. Definitely bought for use. I don't have the money to put these sorts of things in a display cabinet. Trying it out a bit more, I detect that it is subtly easier at the shallow end than it is at the long end of the rotation. The lens really is pristine – meaning that it has pretty well been not used during its lifetime. I wonder if it will start to get a bit easier with some use. Also it seems that the focusing is spot on. If I were to send it away for some TLC, who in Europe might you recommend? Edited September 23, 2017 by marcg Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wda Posted September 23, 2017 Share #4 Posted September 23, 2017 Years of idleness cause stiff focusing. My advice is to spend free moments, repeatedly and steadily turning the focusing ring, back and forth between extremes. While watching TV or a sport, for example. Do not force the mechanism. Gradually you will notice an improvement. It is a very fine lens, well worth the effort. If this fails, consider a trusted service. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ecar Posted September 23, 2017 Share #5 Posted September 23, 2017 https://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-news/leica-repair-specialists/ Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tobey bilek Posted September 23, 2017 Share #6 Posted September 23, 2017 I have fixed some of these with drops of Ronsonal lighter fluid. It seems to soften the hardened grease and it stays soft. Very sparingly, drops, so it does not run around inside of lens. Working the stiff lens never worked for me. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
marcg Posted September 24, 2017 Author Share #7 Posted September 24, 2017 Advertisement (gone after registration) I have fixed some of these with drops of Ronsonal lighter fluid. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ecar Posted September 24, 2017 Share #8 Posted September 24, 2017 Mmm, interesting, never tried this... After all, lighter fuel can be used to clean helicoids, so why not apply a tiny bit to fluidify old grease? I normally add thinner grease, but I may give Ronsonol a go next time. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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