50mm Summicron focus throw froze with temperature change?

[Canal_Lane]

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Morning Everyone!

I'm the owner of a V5 50mm Summicron and was taking the camera to a Botanical Garden exhibit where I noticed something scary and wanted to get an opinion.  The outside environment was a very brisk 50s and the immediate botanical gardens entry was much warmer.  I kept my camera covered in my bag, but waiting in line socially distanced it was quite cold when I took it out.  In the 80 degree tropical botanical gardens I noticed the lens froze up at minimum focus distance and wouldn't function.  After removing the lens from my M10 and working the focus throw, it freed up and has been fine since.  

Is there a tendency for the metal to expand or contract in a leica lens like this?  I'm already considering getting it CLA'd but wanted to ask your all's opinion.  SInce that day it's done that twice now, but each time has gone back to normal function.  If this isn't an issue with temperature, would you think it's a piece of dust that is occasionally getting caught in the grooves of the focus mechanism that works itself free?  

 

Thanks for any help or advice you can provide.  

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[Guest JMF]

It is more likely to be the helicoid grease that freezes.

[Canal_Lane]

6 minutes ago, JMF said:

It is more likely to be the helicoid grease that freezes.

Is there anything I can do to prevent that from happening or is it indicative of a need for a CLA? 

[Guest JMF]

Just now, Canal_Lane said:

Is there anything I can do to prevent that from happening or is it indicative of a need for a CLA? 

Try avoid  sudden changes of temperature and humidity . If the lens goes back to normal no CLA is needed. If you use the lens is very cold environments , degreasing the lens or using a specific grease will help. If it is a rare occurance, I would not worry, just do not force on the helicoid .

[plaidshirts]

On 12/8/2020 at 8:23 AM, Canal_Lane said:

Morning Everyone!

I'm the owner of a V5 50mm Summicron and was taking the camera to a Botanical Garden exhibit where I noticed something scary and wanted to get an opinion.  The outside environment was a very brisk 50s and the immediate botanical gardens entry was much warmer.  I kept my camera covered in my bag, but waiting in line socially distanced it was quite cold when I took it out.  In the 80 degree tropical botanical gardens I noticed the lens froze up at minimum focus distance and wouldn't function.  After removing the lens from my M10 and working the focus throw, it freed up and has been fine since.  

Is there a tendency for the metal to expand or contract in a leica lens like this?  I'm already considering getting it CLA'd but wanted to ask your all's opinion.  SInce that day it's done that twice now, but each time has gone back to normal function.  If this isn't an issue with temperature, would you think it's a piece of dust that is occasionally getting caught in the grooves of the focus mechanism that works itself free?  

 

Thanks for any help or advice you can provide.  

I can't see anything "freezing", grease or otherwise, in 50 degree weather.

I've used my 60yo V2 'Cron 50 in snowy weather coming out of warm homes into temperatures in the 20s without noticing anything amiss.

Could it be a problem with the RF coupling mechanism?

If it were me, I think I'd send it in for a CLA, just for the peace of mind if nothing else.

 

[tommonego@gmail.com]

I have had the focus ring on a lens tighten up but not at 50, if it happens it is when it is really cold say 0-10F. I have never had one freeze up. I would get the lens CLA'd could have old or the wrong grease on the focusing thread. You could just hang in and see if it does it again, then think about service.

[Peter Kilmister]

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The whole world uses ISO standards, except the USA and a few 'exemptions' in the UK. When discussing temperatures it is very confusing to use degrees Fahrenheit when everyone else uses the Celsius scale. Please use degrees Celsius on an international forum. For example, if I go for a 3 mile walk I post that I have had a 5km walk. 

It helps to clarify. Clarity is good. 50 degrees C would be like being in the Sahara desert in Summer. Is that what you meant? 

[laowai_]

8 hours ago, Peter Kilmister said:

The whole world uses ISO standards, except the USA and a few 'exemptions' in the UK. When discussing temperatures it is very confusing to use degrees Fahrenheit when everyone else uses the Celsius scale. Please use degrees Celsius on an international forum. For example, if I go for a 3 mile walk I post that I have had a 5km walk. 

It helps to clarify. Clarity is good. 50 degrees C would be like being in the Sahara desert in Summer. Is that what you meant? 

Technically we use SI units (aka. the metric system), in fact we were one of the first to adapt  and promote this system.

In contrast to most other nations we chose do to a ‘soft’ transition that will not be completed in our lifetime.

We are not alone: Myanmar and Liberia both continue to imperial units...

Other than that, I completely agree with you, they just don’t listen to me.

 

 

 

 

 

[tommonego@gmail.com]

My mistake the OP was speaking in Farenheit so that is how I responded. Again this is responding to the OP and the readers.

So:

I have had the focus ring on a lens tighten up but not at 50F (10C), if it happens it is when it is really cold say 0F (-18C) - 10F (-12C). I have never had one freeze up. I would get the lens CLA'd could have old or the wrong grease on the focusing thread. You could just hang in and see if it does it again, then think about service. Another issue maybe on some Leica lenses if they are vigorously turned to either end of the focus ring they can stick, this is generally not a problem.

[steamboat]

CLA sounds like the ticket to me. The temperatures discussed shouldn't have any effect.