Lens has play on mount

[Jdphoto]

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I've been using the 23mm f/2 on my CL and noticed a bit of play when mounted. It doesn't seem too excessive, but do not notice this with a 50mm 1.4 "M" lens and adapter. Would this be considered normal for the native lenses to have this or should it be snug like the M?

[jev]

should be tight, i would contact customer service

[Jared]

I've been using the 23mm f/2 on my CL and noticed a bit of play when mounted. It doesn't seem too excessive, but do not notice this with a 50mm 1.4 "M" lens and adapter. Would this be considered normal for the native lenses to have this or should it be snug like the M?

None of theTL lenses mounted on my CL are anywhere near as tight as my M lenses on the M10 or my SL lenses on the SL. In fact, the TL lenses can even shift a fraction of a millimeter from side to side (or up and down). The tolerances just don’t seem to be as tight. I notice this with M lenses adapted to the CL as well, though—same play with the M to SL adapter between the adapter and the camera body, not between the lens and adapter

 

That being said, I have had no problems at all with image quality. The shift is too small to make any of the corners soft, and the lenses are still held tightly enough to be orthogonal to the optical axis. Feel free to try out another lens or body, but I suspect this is normal. The bank vault mounting you are used to in the M is not present in the CL.

[Jdphoto]

Thanks for the info. Yes, the images are good, but only noticed the play when turning the lens hood to lock in place. I've used the CL in inclement weather (snow, sea spray, etc.) with no issues, so hopefully it's a non issue as the native 23mm T is very light. However, I wonder how bigger, heavier lenses (R,SL) might be affected by this. My adapter M to T is nice and tight between the lens and adapter too.

[jmahto]

I don't have CL (watching closely though) but why should there be any play when lens is locked in the mount (unless forced). I don't think turning lens hood amounts to using heavy force.

[jaapv]

I haven’t felt play on the mount, but I have no 23, however my M adapter is tight.

[wlaidlaw]

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If the play is radial to the axis of the lens, it will not affect your image quality at all and is irrelevant. It is better to have some play than the opposite where on some of my adapters, R to M for example, some of my R lenses lock in so firmly it is very difficult to depress the release. The lenses should never be able to rock from side to side on the mount, as even a tiny movement will degrade images. See blog by Lens Rentals on lens adapters. 

 

Wilson

[jmahto]

If the play is radial to the axis of the lens, it will not affect your image quality at all and is irrelevant. It is better to have some play than the opposite where on some of my adapters, R to M for example, some of my R lenses lock in so firmly it is very difficult to depress the release. The lenses should never be able to rock from side to side on the mount, as even a tiny movement will degrade images. See blog by Lens Rentals on lens adapters. 

 

Wilson

Highlight mine,

 

My first R2M adapter was that tight. I had to get it replaced.

[jmahto]

I haven’t felt play on the mount, but I have no 23, however my M adapter is tight.

This post also talked about the play (see #3)

https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/282734-finally-my-interchangeable-lens-x2-has-come/?p=3480889

[Jdphoto]

I'm actually not sure this is an issue at all. My film cameras do the same. The CL has been amazing to shoot and so far I love the results.

[pgmj]

I have the same issue, radially. My M-adapter fits very tightly and nice on the lens side but is loose agains the mount. With a lens like the 75 Summilux, that has a lot of focus ring resistance, it is very annoying to have the adapter "click" as it moves slightly every time you change focus direction.

 

Last week I took my camera to my dealer, and it was the same with their adapter and a 18TL lens. Their demo camera also had exactly the same amount of play.

 

It might not be noticeable if you only use AF, and it might not affect image quality per se, but it is rather annoying and disappointing to handle a 6000 USD camera+lens combo that rattles...

Edited March 16, 2018 by pgmj

[colonel]

This looks like a standard thing for the CL

 

Of course the tight tolerance needed for a RF focus or film mounting is absent here, as the contrast focus could theoretically work even if you held the lens a cm in front of the mount !!!

 

The only real issue could be a light leak if its too loose, but it isn't so don't worry

[Jared]

I have the same issue, radially. My M-adapter fits very tightly and nice on the lens side but is loose agains the mount. With a lens like the 75 Summilux, that has a lot of focus ring resistance, it is very annoying to have the adapter "click" as it moves slightly every time you change focus direction.

 

Last week I took my camera to my dealer, and it was the same with their adapter and a 18TL lens. Their demo camera also had exactly the same amount of play.

 

It might not be noticeable if you only use AF, and it might not affect image quality per se, but it is rather annoying and disappointing to handle a 6000 USD camera+lens combo that rattles...

I agree it’s annoying. I generally only notice it when I have M lenses mounted since you apply some torsion when you hit the focus stops. Plus, the M lenses with the adapter are generally a bit heavier than their TL counterparts, so more inertia. With the TL lenses I only notice it when I look for it. Still, I have no clue why Leica chose to have a relatively “loose” fit for the mount. They are renowned for their tight mechanical tolerances. That didn’t carry across into the lens mount for the CL.

[wlaidlaw]

My worst adapter is my Amedeo Muscelli made Visoflex replacement adapter (41,5mm extension tube, if my memory serves me correctly). This is so tight on the lens side that I have had to use a strap wrench before now to get a lens off. I keep meaning to give it a rub down with wet and dry 600 or 1200 grade paper, on a piece of sheet glass. 

 

Wilson

[graphlex]

The 23 on my T has no play.

[Jdphoto]

 

 

The 23 on my T has no play.

That's what I thought. This CL might go back to Leica. I'm kind of annoyed. It doesn't let light in, but it might allow water intrusion if it gets any kind of moisture on the camera or lens. Also,  just removing the hood allows the lens to turn radially about 1/16 of an inch or more. This is not what I would expect from Leica's quality standards.

[Jdphoto]

e

 

I don't have CL (watching closely though) but why should there be any play when lens is locked in the mount (unless forced). I don't think turning lens hood amounts to using heavy force.

exactly 

[Jdphoto]

 

 

This looks like a standard thing for the CL

 

Of course the tight tolerance needed for a RF focus or film mounting is absent here, as the contrast focus could theoretically work even if you held the lens a cm in front of the mount !!!

 

The only real issue could be a light leak if its too loose, but it isn't so don't worry

Agreed, but when you spend the kind of money that Leica commands then you expect tighter tolerances. This lens should not have any play at all...period.

 

[jaapv]

I’ve been pointing the 18-56 straight into the sun from time to time without ill effects. I’ll dig up an example.

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Hallo,

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[lct]

Re tightness there is some sample variation i guess as both my M and R adapters as well as M lenses are normally tight on the CL. Even a bit too tight with some of my LTM lenses to the point that the bayonet of my M adapter is a bit scratched yet but my LTM adapters are the culprits more probably.