Summarit 35mm 2.4, uneven focus

[jant]

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Hi, 

I got a 2nd hand Summarit 35mm f2.4. The lens is in minty condition on the outside and glass. But I noticed the force you need to use to focus seems to be uneven. From infinity to around 1.5m it seems the focusing is a bit more stiff, compared to 1.5m to 0.8m. It's not really noticeable, but when you pay close attention when you turn the focus tab from infinity to closes focusing distance, you notice there is less force needed towards close focusing distance.

None of my other lenses seem to have this (or I did not notice it  ). Is this a known thing, or is this something I should worry about?

Thanks,

Jan 

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[pedaes]

3 minutes ago, jant said:

Hi, 

I got a 2nd hand Summarit 35mm f2.4. The lens is in minty condition on the outside and glass. But I noticed the force you need to use to focus seems to be uneven. From infinity to around 1.5m it seems the focusing is a bit more stiff, compared to 1.5m to 0.8m. It's not really noticeable, but when you pay close attention when you turn the focus tab from infinity to closes focusing distance, you notice there is less force needed towards close focusing distance.

None of my other lenses seem to have this (or I did not notice it  ). Is this a known thing, or is this something I should worry about?

Thanks,

Jan 

Send it back or for a CLA (budget at least £/$200 for latter plus courier).

[a.noctilux]

Years ago, after some beach journey, sometimes my lenses have this kind of behavior.

Gritting at some distance settings and not at other.

Expensive to repair with corrosive sand inside ...

Now I protect them (as the rest of gear ) when in dusty/sa,dy/windy environments.

 

[69xchange]

Just picked mine up second hand and my copy exhibits the same behaviour as OP. Can anyone else who owns a copy confirm that this is normal or requires CLA? Much appreciated!

[M Street Photographer]

My summarit does not show this effect. Maybe it's a question of the serial number (earlier / later version).
Please also show your serial number.
#4696619

[CPA]

22 hours ago, 69xchange said:

Just picked mine up second hand and my copy exhibits the same behaviour as OP. Can anyone else who owns a copy confirm that this is normal or requires CLA? Much appreciated!

I bought my copy 5 months ago from a reputable dealer in Europe and it had the same behaviour. I considered returning it, but was told by a friend with experience with this lens that it would be significantly less noticeable with use. In my case, that was accurate.

[69xchange]

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2 hours ago, CPA said:

I bought my copy 5 months ago from a reputable dealer in Europe and it had the same behaviour. I considered returning it, but was told by a friend with experience with this lens that it would be significantly less noticeable with use. In my case, that was accurate.

Thanks! I’ll keep using mine now and reevaluate in the near future then!

[69xchange]

22 hours ago, M Street Photographer said:

My summarit does not show this effect. Maybe it's a question of the serial number (earlier / later version).
Please also show your serial number.
#4696619

4319518

[pgk]

The original brochure produced by Leica for the f/2.5 versions states: "..... This allows the [machined focussing group] surfaces to smoothly glide with minimal variable resistance, without noticable tolerance, but with a consistently fine feeling motion. .....". Which to me suggrsts that a Summarit lens (f/2.5 or f/2.4) should focus smotthly with a consistant resistance throughout the focus range. There are several reasons why this might not be so including unevenly applied or drying lubricant or in a worse case scenario a drop causing impact damage to the helicoid. Both can be dealt with by Leica or a competent technician so it might be worth having any lens which exhibits uneven resistance checked out and repaired if needed. Certainly my f/2.5 copy focusses smoothly and consistentlt throught the entire focus rotation.

[M Street Photographer]

It is a great pity when we address a question but the thread starter does not participate in the discussion.

[69xchange]

On 6/2/2023 at 2:52 AM, M Street Photographer said:

It is a great pity when we address a question but the thread starter does not participate in the discussion.

This was posted 3 years ago and I just bumped the thread up due to my new to me summarit having the focus issue. Anyways, looks like I have three things to ship to Leica NJ for service now.