Quality of Voigtlander Nokton lenses

[rramesh]

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30 minutes ago, farnz said:

Be sure to clean and lubricate the camera operator's insides with India Pale Ale though.

Pete.

For B&W shooters try Guinness.

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[250swb]

57 minutes ago, crony said:

Hi, I own and use (currently) 9 Voigtländer M mount/E 39 lenses. The only one I am not happy with is my NOKTON CLASSIC 1,4/40 ser#9510615.

The focusing ring is sticky, and makes a screeching sound. So, I use this lens rarely ...

You could try re-centreing the mounting flange. Over time the flange can sometimes move simply due to the torque of mounting and de-mounting the lens, and if any of the screws are loose this can cause the mount to move the tiny fraction it needs to make the focus ring sticky. Back off all four mounting screws for the flange and then gradually re-tighten them a bit at a time opposite side to opposite side until they are tight again.

[RoySmith]

2 hours ago, rramesh said:

For B&W shooters try Guinness.

Definitely avoid the Hazy Ales !

[crony]

5 hours ago, 250swb said:

You could try re-centreing the mounting flange. Over time the flange can sometimes move simply due to the torque of mounting and de-mounting the lens, and if any of the screws are loose this can cause the mount to move the tiny fraction it needs to make the focus ring sticky. Back off all four mounting screws for the flange and then gradually re-tighten them a bit at a time opposite side to opposite side until they are tight again.

Hi, I tried to follow your advice. - But I must get a fitting screwdriver/bit for this ...

[250swb]

1 hour ago, crony said:

Hi, I tried to follow your advice. - But I must get a fitting screwdriver/bit for this ...

Sometimes the screw heads change, but if they are slot head screws it's a 2.4mm screwdriver, or if cross head screws a #00. Sometimes it's useful just to get a combined set of six for small jobs, three sizes of each type.

Edited May 12, 2021 by 250swb

[01maciel]

Am 12.5.2021 um 07:32 schrieb rramesh:

Get a Lenspen. It’s quite handy. Comes with a brush and a finer tip for those edges. Just use a blower first to remove dust particles. 

Thanks, the lenspen did the trick. Definitely worth a beer or two tonight. I'll have a toast to my as-new Voigtlander Nokton 1.2 II

[Big Jim]

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I wanted to follow up on this topic and am hoping you can provide some advice. I just received a brand new 35mm Nokton 1.4 for my Leica M2. As someone mentioned upthread the lens is not sealed in the box.  

I checked the front and back glass this morning and both had marks. I think these are smudges and not scratches but I was rather surprised to see this straight out of the box. Pictures attached. 

I'm not sure if I should try cleaning or return ? I have ROR cleaning fluid and a Leica Store cleaning cloth. I'm not sure if it's ok to use this on the front and back glass of the lens.  

Thanks

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Edited December 3, 2021 by Big Jim
Text update

[01maciel]

Hi Big Jim,

given that you bought a new lens I wouldn't do any experiments with the front and back glass. Try to contact the dealer and send it back by return mail.

[LarsHP]

If what we see on the glass is how it was when you took it out of the box, I would definitely say that this isn't how a new lens should be. I would send the images to the dealer and ask for a return (and possible refund). I am particularly worried about the mark on the rear lens element. A little dust wouldn't be a problem, but surface damage is an entirely different story.

[Big Jim]

Thanks @LarsHP and @01maciel for your advice. I contacted the dealer and they suggested trying to clean the lens or returning it and they would clean it. I replied that I don't think a new 500 Euro lens should need a clean out of the box, that I didn't want to experiment with cleaning front and back and that I'd rather have an exchange for a new lens in mint condition. I also mentioned that the marks seem to indicate the lens had been previously unpacked. 

Today they wrote back that an exchange is fine but the lens is out of stock with no clear re-stock date ! This all sounds rather suspicious but I did in fact notice that many sellers ran out after black Friday. Perhaps deliveries are being delayed as a knock on of Covid. This is a large and trusted seller with all their shops showing this lens as sold out so I believe them. 

Of course on one hand I'm tempted to try and clean as the marks look like dirt rather than damage on the other I can return the lens and wait (even months) for a re-stock. I don't need it for a particular date. What do you think ? I want to be fair to the dealer. I did get it for a very fair price for black Friday. 

Edited December 4, 2021 by Big Jim
Update text

[farnz]

57 minutes ago, Big Jim said:

Of course on one hand I'm tempted to try and clean as the marks look like dirt rather than damage on the other I can return the lens and wait (even months) for a re-stock. I don't need it for a particular date. What do you think ? I want to be fair to the dealer. I did get it for a very fair price for black Friday. 

The old proverb says "Don't look a gift horse in the mouth" so my advice is to clean it, get on and start using it, and appreciate and be grateful for your good fortune.

Pete.

[Big Jim]

16 minutes ago, farnz said:

The old proverb says "Don't look a gift horse in the mouth" so my advice is to clean it, get on and start using it, and appreciate and be grateful for your good fortune.

Pete.

Thanks Pete. I'm tempted although I'm not really sure 525 Euro qualifies as a gift horse 🤔

Edited December 4, 2021 by Big Jim

[farnz]

5 minutes ago, Big Jim said:

Thanks Pete. I'm tempted although I'm not really sure 525 Euro qualifies as a gift horse 🤔

You'd said you'd got it "for a a very fair price for Black Friday" so it sounded like you'd got a very good deal compared to retail.

Pete.

[Tom1234]

I just bought two new 40mm MC lenses, one from Japan and one from New York USA, both had a bad mount that would NOT CLICK IN to stop the lens from turning.  I sent them back and the sellers told me they sent the lenses back to Voigtlander.   Also I found this complaint included below.

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