50mm APO aperture ring looseness

[mboerma]

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Hi all,

I bought a used 50mm APO lens. It is still possible to return it to the store. I got a good discount and it was about 3000euro less than a new one. It is a lens from 2013 which was serviced by Leica Germany in 2018. 
 

The aperture ring is quite loose. It ticks, rattles unlike the many other Leica M lenses I have. It has play moving it direction to and from the camera. ( l hope my lack of expression in the English language does not hinder my explanation.)

Another usage mark I see is on the aperture blades when I close it down to f16. I see some friction marks on the metal blades. It works smooth and the sharpness great.

Anyway,  are these things to worry about and return it?

Thanks!

[evikne]

If that annoys you, I would consider returning it while you still can. Chances are, this will annoy you more and more, and you will not be able to ignore it.

I had a similar problem with a 50mm Summilux ASPH BC that I bought new. The sound of the loose aperture ring eventually irritated me so much that I sold it.

[Jeff S]

I rented a 50 APO and handled two others in a Leica store.  All three had loose aperture rings.  It seems increasingly common with recent M lens releases.  I contacted DAG (Don Goldberg…in US), just to see if it was easily correctable, and he said it was.  I ended up keeping my 50 Summilux ASPH rather than buying the APO, so there was no need.  Don had, however, previously fixed the sticky focus action on my Summilux, so Leica QC keeps him busy.

So your aperture ring can be serviced, but whether doing so, in addition to other issues, can only be answered by you. I prefer to deal with stores (like Leica Miami, for example) that   thoroughly inspect and service used items as needed (by Leica or DAG) in advance of sale, even if resultant prices are somewhat higher.  YMMV.

Jeff

[mboerma]

Thanks, evikne and Jeff! My main concern is/was if these things were technical faults or if there are "within spec". I assume that this lens is according to specification.  

[Jeff S]

Well, if the easy-to-spot things are ignored….  But if you’re happy with the results from proper testing (live view vs RF, using tripod, at various apertures and distances), then that’s what matters. 
 

Jeff

[Gobert]

12 hours ago, mboerma said:

Thanks, evikne and Jeff! My main concern is/was if these things were technical faults or if there are "within spec". I assume that this lens is according to specification.  

Why don’t you compare it with a new one?

[mboerma]

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@Gobert Difficult to find a shop which has one available. 
 

When in doubt, don’t do it. I’ve tasted the joy of the APO on the M11. I will get a newer one in due course for sure. 

[Gobert]

2 hours ago, mboerma said:

@Gobert Difficult to find a shop which has one available. 
 

When in doubt, don’t do it. I’ve tasted the joy of the APO on the M11. I will get a newer one in due course for sure. 

I’m living near Arnhem. It is a one hour's drive. Please feel welcome to compare yours with mine.

I own two black APO 50 lenses, enough to compare.

Edited February 11, 2022 by Gobert

[mboerma]

Thanks/Dank, @Gobert. Let me think about that. 

[tightsqueez]

My first batch 50 APO aperture ring was always loose. It was annoying to look down and see a different setting because the ring had shifted because coat/kids/life…

But I don’t think it ever cost me an image. 

I sent the lens to Leica in 2021, eight years later, to have the ring tightened as tight as they could. A few hundred dollars, six weeks later the lens came back perfect. Covid was rampant so it was good timing. 

 

[mboerma]

@tightsqueez Thanks. Great idea. I won't be able to get one as cheap as this one (used). A trip to Leica Germany might be a good option. 

[tightsqueez]

No problem. Seems your copy is sharp and focuses well with your bodies; consider this priceless. 
 

Enjoy! 🍻

[Jeff S]

24 minutes ago, tightsqueez said:

I sent the lens to Leica in 2021, eight years later, to have the ring tightened as tight as they could. A few hundred dollars, six weeks later the lens came back perfect. Covid was rampant so it was good timing. 

 

Next time consider DAG instead.  Leica tried but couldn’t fix the sticky focus action on my 50 Summilux ASPH.  DAG fixed it perfectly, had it back to me in 10 days, for $90, including shipping.  I’m sure he’d be similarly reasonable and efficient adjusting an aperture ring (which he told me is easy).

Jeff

[tightsqueez]

12 minutes ago, Jeff S said:

Next time consider DAG instead.  Leica tried but couldn’t fix the sticky focus action on my 50 Summilux ASPH.  DAG fixed it perfectly, had it back to me in 10 days, for $90, including shipping.  I’m sure he’d be similarly reasonable and efficient adjusting an aperture ring (which he told me is easy).

Jeff

I actually did consider. 
 

A friend of mine who probably sends $100k worth of gear a year to DAG recommended me sending the APO to Leica. 
 

NJ wouldn’t touch it. 

[mboerma]

Great idea as well. Will check a similar option locally. I’m in the Netherlands. We have local service companies, like Wil van Manen. Just adding it for others. 

https://www.kamera-service.info/index.php/en/

[Jeff S]

43 minutes ago, tightsqueez said:

I actually did consider. 
 

A friend of mine who probably sends $100k worth of gear a year to DAG recommended me sending the APO to Leica. 
 

NJ wouldn’t touch it. 

When I was considering the 50 APO, I called Don to discuss loose aperture rings. He said he could adjust. But I ended up keeping my 50 Summilux instead.

Jeff