A bit of play between my M-A and 35 FLE

[jakopz]

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I just took delivery of a new M-A and a 35FLE. There is quite a bit of play between the body and lens. When focusing, it even makes a clinky type of noise. I have had this combo previously and did not experience this issue. I recognize there can be a small amount of movement but to the point where it makes a noise when I focus, seems excessive, yes? I realize this doesn't impact the operation and results but as expensive as this kit is, it is bound to annoy me to hear this sound every time I focus. Thoughts?

[Herr Barnack]

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There is quite a bit of play between the body and lens.

Are you saying when you mount the lens, it does not lock securely in place on the camera and it moves around?  If so, something is obviously not right with the lens mount on the camera, the lens itself or both (which seems improbable). 

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When focusing, it even makes a clinky type of noise.

I have never experienced anything remotely like that with any of the M cameras and lenses I own now or have owned in the past. 

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I realize this doesn't impact the operation and results...

If the lens is loose on the camera body when mounted, there's no way you will be able to focus accurately. 

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Thoughts?

I would take both the camera and lens back to the Leica dealer where they were purchased and ask that both be replaced with new in box non-defective units.

[jakopz]

16 minutes ago, Herr Barnack said:

Are you saying when you mount the lens, it does not lock securely in place on the camera and it moves around?  If so, something is obviously not right with the lens mount on the camera, the lens itself or both (which seems improbable). 

I have never experienced anything remotely like that with any of the M cameras and lenses I own now or have owned in the past. 

If the lens is loose on the camera body when mounted, there's no way you will be able to focus accurately. 

I would take both the camera and lens back to the Leica dealer where they were purchased and ask that both be replaced with new in box non-defective units.

It mounts securely but there's there is a bit of play where you can hear it moving back and fourth when focusing. It doesn't move much obviously but enough to make noise. Attached a video. 

[Guest]

Could it be some vertical tilt/play in the helicoid? I had this problem with a 50mm Summicron-M (50 years) recently. It made exactly the same noise as yours. Mine went to service. I pick it up tomorrow.

[jakopz]

21 minutes ago, Studienkamera said:

Could it be some vertical tilt/play in the helicoid? I had this problem with a 50mm Summicron-M (50 years) recently. It made exactly the same noise as yours. Mine went to service. I pick it up tomorrow.

I doubt it. I feel the movement btw the body and the lens when I wiggle it. 

[Michael Geschlecht]

Hello Everybody,

Welcome to the Forum Jakopz & Studienkamera.

If there is forward/backward movement (Even a small amount.) between the lens & the camera body then the relationship between the roller cam in the body & the cam in the lens is changing when there is movement. Changes in this relationship show up as movements of the movable rangefinder patch. This means the the focus point of the subject that is indicated may not always be accurate.

The lens should fit securely, but not tightly, after the "click" when it seats.

This is a correctable situation which should be dealt with so that the camera/lens functions properly.

Best Regards,

Michael

[Herr Barnack]

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I would return the lens and get a replacement.  JMHO.

 

[TommyPlouffe]

A similar situation happened to me before with my M262 (With any lenses I used). Try with another lens. If it still has the same issue, it has to do with a part inside the M-A.

It may not be the same issue as I had before with my M240, but I had to remove the top plate, remove the lube on the moving part (inside the top plate) connected with the focusing mechanism located in the mouth, and replace the lube. It took me only 20 minutes to fix with the right screwdrivers.

I wish I could share a picture of the specific part I'm talking about, but I can't find any... If you push on the focusing mechanism part located inside the mount, you will easily locate the moving parts inside the top plate of the M-A.

Edited June 24, 2021 by TommyPlouffe
typo

[a.noctilux]

Try this @jakopz :

- take the lens from the M-A

- shake the lens only, if you hear the famous 'rattling' sound, that is

- in this case, I think that from the FLE (floating elements) design, nothing can change that.

[jakopz]

Talked to my dealer and he confirmed that this is indeed an issue with some of the film bodies as their locking plate is different that the digital bodies where this is apparently less of an issue. Either way, it's the wobble and resulting noise is beyond what's considered normal so we are replacing the kit. Thanks for all the input.

[analogM]

I have exactly the same issue with my MP, with all lenses I own. These lenses do not exhibit any play at all on my other M-bodies. The MP is of 2019 production. Although disappointed by this mechanical imperfection, I had decided to live with it, but after reading this thread I probably will send it in for adjustment as well...

[Bangrossi]

My 35mm FLE with M6 TTL also have a little bit of play, but not so obvious like OP. On my digital M 240 have no play at all. Maybe the dealer is right about the locking plate on film M body are diffrent from Digital M.
 

PS: I don't have any other film M body to confirm this.

[Danner]

I would try to isolate the play as coming from the lens or the camera, and address the issue.  It would bother me.  Neither of my M6s exhibit any play with my Leica/Zeiss/Voigtlander lenses.

[earleygallery]

From the video I don't see any movement of the lens/body, it sounds like the focus ring on the lens has too much slack. I would return it and ask for another to try.

[ekindangen]

If you have different camera body and another lens you could try to mix n match n see whether the issue is with the body or with the lens. I have two M-A bodies, one has a little play in the mount but not alarming as you explained and it does not impact result. Not forward back play but sideway along with the focusing, by a hair. The other body doesnt have this issue.

[analogM]

I demonstrated the issue to a prominent Leica repair specialist (Will van Manen) and he told me not to worry about it. 
However, I'm still somewhat disappointed with the loose lens mount tolerance on this expensive piece of kit that is refered to as "mechanical perfection". 
Don't get me wrong, it's still an amazing camera, but clearly it is not mechanically perfect. Arguably there is no such thing as 'perfection', but precise mechanical engineering to very tight tolerances is what the MP, like any M camera, should be all about.

To compensate for my mocking I shall add a positive post to the 'I love my mp' thread 😉

[plaidshirts]

After trying different lenses, I found that the mount on a lens that Leica recently changed to 6-bit was loose. Lens was solid again once I retightened all the screws. Hopefully it'll stay this way.

[William H]

I experienced this with my brand new M-A and Summicron 35mm.  It was just a tiny bit of play, but this was my first brand new Leica kit and I was shocked.  My other lens, a 50mm Zeiss Planar, did not show this issue.  When I contacted the dealer who sold me the lens they mentioned "some M-A's have this problem".  I returned the lens for a refund and sold the body shortly thereafter.  

[Guest]

I had this exact problem with my M-A and 35mm FLE V1. Lots of play. Turned out that it had nothing to do with the lens itself, but with the lens mount on the camera. Leica Wetzlar fixed it and it feels perfect now. 

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[69xchange]

Wait, is this still an on going problem? Have we looped around from film scratching (2020) to loose lens mount (2021), back to film scratching (2022) and to loose lens mount (2023) again?