Aperture rings on Leica M lenses

[didier]

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Dear all,

I just had the opportunity to « play » with 2 summilux 35 FLE (both back versions : the regular one and the Wetzlar edition) : one had a buttery smooth aperture ring (with perfect clicks for each aperture) just like my Summicron 50 and Summicron 90 ASPH, the other one, completely new out of the box, had a sort of roughness : perfect clicks, but not a very nice feeling when turning it - lacks smoothness - just as if it lacked a bit of grease. My APO 50 is the same, not as smooth.

My question is : is it about sample variation OR is it about the Lens design and material ?

Second question : can this lack of smoothness be fixed ? Will it evolve with time ?

 

thanks for your input

 

Didier

 

 

[lct]

Sample variation as you can see on the copies you've tried. Easy fix but can evolve with time too. BTW you may wish to check if your lens rattles when you shake it. Some copies like mine do but others don't i've been told.

[TomB_tx]

I've found both focus and aperture ring movement on Leica lenses generally get smoother with use. My last new lens (50 Summicron) was quite disappointing out of the box, but is perfect now. 

[rent]

2 hours ago, didier said:

I just had the opportunity to « play » with 2 summilux 35 FLE (both back versions : the regular one and the Wetzlar edition) : one had a buttery smooth aperture ring (with perfect clicks for each aperture) just like my Summicron 50 and Summicron 90 ASPH, the other one, completely new out of the box, had a sort of roughness : perfect clicks, but not a very nice feeling when turning it - lacks smoothness - just as if it lacked a bit of grease. My APO 50 is the same, not as smooth.

You didn't say which is which.

It's common for the regular 35 FLE being called out for a loose aperture ring. Mine is no exception. It's noticeably looser than my 50 APO. I wouldn't call it roughness, but lack of smoothness, as in lack of grease sounds about right.

The aperture ring on my 50 APO is quite perfect in comparison, though not as perfect as one black chrome 50 APO I've tried at a dealer.

[didier]

9 hours ago, rent said:

You didn't say which is which.

It's common for the regular 35 FLE being called out for a loose aperture ring. Mine is no exception. It's noticeably looser than my 50 APO. I wouldn't call it roughness, but lack of smoothness, as in lack of grease sounds about right.

The aperture ring on my 50 APO is quite perfect in comparison, though not as perfect as one black chrome 50 APO I've tried at a dealer.

The regular FLE I tried was as perfect as it can get : buttery smooth yet no looseness, and precise clicks.

The Wetzlar (new out of the box) edition was ‘rough’ in comparison , ‘rough’ being a bit exaggerated 

Your post demonstrates sample variation I think, as my APO 50 is exactly how you describe your regular FLE