APO 50 Cron SL - focus noise

[waynexu1998]

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On 12/23/2019 at 1:12 AM, Chaemono said:

Are you using it on the SL or the S1/R or the SL2?

The SL2. Also i think the SL2 makes noise for in body stabilization.

[waynexu1998]

On 12/23/2019 at 3:43 AM, Chaemono said:

For me, no noise with Pre Focus Off on the SL2, some noise with Pre Focus On. 

Since you also have the SL2. May I ask do you hear the slight rattle of in body stabilization while focusing? Just wanna make sure it is normal.

[waynexu1998]

On 12/23/2019 at 3:43 AM, Chaemono said:

For me, no noise with Pre Focus Off on the SL2, some noise with Pre Focus On. 

Out of curiosity, my SL2 makes a slight rattling sound and it sounds like IBIS, just wondering if you also heard it, If you did I would assume it’s normal then. This is the first camera that I have with IBIS.

[Chaemono]

vor 1 Stunde schrieb waynexu1998:

Out of curiosity, my SL2 makes a slight rattling sound and it sounds like IBIS, just wondering if you also heard it, If you did I would assume it’s normal then. This is the first camera that I have with IBIS.

No, I don’t hear any camera rattling sound.  You may want to start a separate thread on this and hear what other users have to say. 

[waynexu1998]

On 12/23/2019 at 3:43 AM, Chaemono said:

For me, no noise with Pre Focus Off on the SL2, some noise with Pre Focus On. 

Me too. Just tested 

[Boojay]

On 12/23/2019 at 11:43 AM, Chaemono said:

For me, no noise with Pre Focus Off on the SL2, some noise with Pre Focus On. 

Very happy to find your above comment,  thank you,  having just mounted my Summicron 50SL for the first time, was starting to think the only way I would live with it was in Manual Focus!! 

Wondering why have I have not experienced same level of noise with any other AF lenses on the SL2  while Pre Focus was on.  It's not that it's a loud noice but it's a very annoying one, on the other hand, unlike some have reported, the focus ring is quiet, smooth and has just the right amount of resistance.  I'm hoping in all other ways it lives up to my expectations.

 

[Alf62]

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On 8/26/2019 at 8:16 AM, Ingo said:

"Quite some noise" is subjective.
But I can confirm that my copy is louder than the 24-90 and 90-280. As loud as the 35-Cron. 
I don't find this disturbing in daily use. 

Same experience here. Tested both in the shop, same level of "noise" which I found not disturbing at all. Indeed subjective.

Have chosen the 35mm above the 50mm as I own a 50mm already and love it.

[NRKstudio]

On 8/28/2019 at 1:04 PM, insideline said:

tom0511: My 50 SL APO is quite stiff in manual mode as well, hoping it will loosen up with use. Silent as I shared otherwise. 

I’ve had 4 of the 50 SL APOs so far, the later manufactured ones had the least tight focus ring.  Really smooth and like most other lenses.  The earlier ones both had very tight focus rings. I hope yours does loosen up, but it may need a trip to Leica.  

@MRJohn  all of them were quiet though, really silent.  

[Jim B]

Attached is an audio file of the scraping, groaning noise of the 90mm Apo SL.

I don’t believe the lens should sound like this... Does yours? I’m going to exchange it.    You can hear it at the 5 second mark and then repeat as it hunts for focus.

90 Apo lens noise.m4a

Edited February 27, 2020 by Jim B

[PBart]

46 minutes ago, Jim B said:

Attached is an audio file of the scraping, groaning noise of the 90mm Apo SL.

I don’t believe the lens should sound like this... Does yours? I’m going to exchange it.    You can hear it at the 5 second mark and then repeat as it hunts for focus.

90 Apo lens noise.m4a 178.55 kB · 2 downloads

I would have this exchanged if recently purchased. I have 3 SL lenses. The 16-35, 24-90 and 50 summicron and all are rather quiet. I'd say the 50mm is the noisiest though but nothing unusual. 

[leicamr]

On 2/27/2020 at 12:03 AM, Jim B said:

Attached is an audio file of the scraping, groaning noise of the 90mm Apo SL.

I don’t believe the lens should sound like this... Does yours? I’m going to exchange it.    You can hear it at the 5 second mark and then repeat as it hunts for focus.

90 Apo lens noise.m4a 178.55 kB · 20 downloads

I have just received my 50 APO SL lens, manufactured 19 June 2020. It too has a focus noise which is not typical of my 35 and 75 SL lenses. The noise occurs when focussing from far to near. In my brief 24 hours of ownership, I must admit that I don't notice it when out taking photographs. I have attached recordings of the 50 and 75. Not only is the 75 noise 'smoother', but a noticeable lower level. The 50's noise is almost a rattle. 

The manual focus rings on all are super smooth and nicely weighted.

75 APO SL focus noise.m4a 50 APO SL focus noise.m4a

[Jeff S]

2 hours ago, leicamr said:

I have just received my 50 APO SL lens, manufactured 19 June 2020. It too has a focus noise which is not typical of my 35 and 75 SL lenses. The noise occurs when focussing from far to near. In my brief 24 hours of ownership, I must admit that I don't notice it when out taking photographs. I have attached recordings of the 50 and 75. Not only is the 75 noise 'smoother', but a noticeable lower level. The 50's noise is almost a rattle. 

The manual focus rings on all are super smooth and nicely weighted.

75 APO SL focus noise.m4a 425.76 kB · 4 downloads 50 APO SL focus noise.m4a 427.51 kB · 5 downloads

On SL or SL2?  With camera both on and off?  (Unable to connect to links on my phone)

Jeff

[leicamr]

The 50 APO makes the same noise on both a CL and SL Type 601. When the focus makes a small adjustment the noise is much like the 35 and 75 lenses. It is when it makes a 'long travel' focus shift that it is prevalent.

I have sent the audio files to Leica Germany for comment. 

I intend to shoot some video over the next few days. I typically set the focus to dynamically track. As the focus speed is reduced in video mode, hopefully the noise will either be eliminated or reduced enough so that it isn't picked up on the recording. 

I will update in due course.

Mark

[Jeff S]

3 hours ago, leicamr said:

The 50 APO makes the same noise on both a CL and SL Type 601. When the focus makes a small adjustment the noise is much like the 35 and 75 lenses. It is when it makes a 'long travel' focus shift that it is prevalent.

I have sent the audio files to Leica Germany for comment. 

I intend to shoot some video over the next few days. I typically set the focus to dynamically track. As the focus speed is reduced in video mode, hopefully the noise will either be eliminated or reduced enough so that it isn't picked up on the recording. 

I will update in due course.

Mark

Same noise when focusing with camera turned off?  Similar discussion below...

Jeff

[leicamr]

Only when powered on.

Edited July 12, 2020 by leicamr
To add quote

[leicamr]

49 minutes ago, Jeff S said:

Same noise when focusing with camera turned off?  Similar discussion below...

Jeff

 

50 minutes ago, Jeff S said:

Same noise when focusing with camera turned off?  Similar discussion below...

Jeff

Only when the camera is powered on. 

[Jeff S]

Then same behavior as with the SL 24-90.  Others have reported the issue to Leica and are awaiting response.  I’d like to hear findings, as my zoom does the same (although I can make noise go away, as described in linked thread).

Jeff

[Jim B]

If it’s returnable, I would send it back. That doesn’t sound right. Who wants a new 5K lens that needs to be worked on. If we buy them and return them maybe Leica will get the message.... it’s not acceptable, and we shouldn’t have them force it on us with their insane reply’s saying it’s normal for the lenses to make noise..... Also the Leica camera shops know it’s a problem because I wanted to buy the whole set if I could test them first to make sure they don’t  scrap and groan. and they said no.... 

Edited July 12, 2020 by Jim B

[hoppyman]

To reduce confusion, I started the linked thread regarding ZOOM RING OPERATION CLICKING NOISE NOT AUTO FOCUS NOISE  with the 24-90 on SL2. I can actually also identify a continuous very quiet HUM noise just when the camera is on and no controls are touched at all. That is detectable with my ear literally pressed against the lens barrel only. 

I also have the APO Summicron 35 and the 50. AF operation with both is very quiet and very fast for me. That additional very quiet continuous noise in the 24-90 does not exist in either lens and of course there is no ZOOM RING.

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica L-Mount

[Jim B]

That’s a separate issue related to the 24-90 zoom. 
 

The SL Apo primes have stiff focus issues, and this grinding squeaking motor issue that’s appearing on random SL Apo  lenses, signaling a quality control, manufacturing issue. We have has plenty of people that have them and say their copies are silent.  No one should pay 5K to have to have lens that needs to be worked on....I certainly won’t buy another until they fix the issue. 

Furthermore,  after buying the SL2 that still doesn’t work to spec with that horrendous battery power issue, I certainty have zero interest in buying an S3. Their credibility with me just went down the drain. Instead, I got a GFX100 and that lens series because it works like a charm and is dependable on a professional level. 

If Germany could only get their tech and quality up to Japanese standards.  What a disgrace for Leica.

Edited July 12, 2020 by Jim B