Question about 28mm SL2 APO constant noise from lens

[SoCalLeicanator]

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I have a quick question.  I traded in some gear and picked up a "like new" 28mm SL2 APO from mpb.  This is my first APO.  Unlike the Sigma 35 Art and 24-70, there's constant chattering happening inside the lens even when I'm not depressing the focus button.  I am in AFs.  Is this normal?  Is it just the IBIS and focus acquisition or did I get a bum copy?

I haven't taken too many shots yet.  

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[Paul2660]

Not sure. I have the 28mm and it’s a pretty quiet lens. I keep my camera in manual focus and use the AF-on switch most of the time so I will switch to af-s to check. The 50mm I have makes a bit more noise when it’s focusing. IBIS is strictly in the camera body so if you hear the noise in the lens I don’t think it’s IBIS. 

 

Paul 

[SoCalLeicanator]

Shame on me. It is coming from the body but still wondering why none of the other lenses in my kit seem to activate the IBiS as much.  I use some manual lenses but they are supposed to use the IBIS if you dial in the appropriate focal length.

 

likewise the Sigmas are silent.  
 

Thus,  I modify my question. In AFs is It normal to have near constant activation of the IBIS? This is my first used lens purchase and I guess I’m a worried. . . 

[Mak67]

Try to turn off the "pre-Af" setting in the menu, and sée if that what's you're talking about...

 

Edited April 22, 2023 by Mak67

[Chuck Albertson]

Turn off "pre-focus" and you'll sleep better. IBIS is a function of the sensor, not the lens.

[SoCalLeicanator]

OK, I'll try this. 

It may very well be going back.  I had a big event and it was missing focus left and right.  I'll give it one more outing and then see.  Every single of my non Leica lenses (Sigmas 24-70, 35 art and Lumix 50 1.8) has amazing, snappy autofocus but this thing just struggled.  

 

Edited April 22, 2023 by SoCalLeicanator

[jaapv]

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Best to use AF-S. At an event maybe face recognition. 

[Virob]

Leica APO primes have a reputation for noisy AF, some are worse than others. Seems strange for such a high priced lens. If you use AFs, it isn’t too bad. AFc can be irritating, even alarming at times.,Pre focus adds another layer, with the lens doing constant minor back and forth focus to pre determine where the focus is, but it doesn’t actually focus until you half press the shutter. So if the sound bothers you and you don’t need pre AF, turn it off and save some battery life.  The Sigma lenses are much quieter, and you likely haven’t noticed the pre focusing.

[cj3209]

I notice constant IBIS PRIOR to depressing the shutter halfway on my 35mm APO; I hope it's the pre-focusing because it's pretty annoying that it does this on every shot.  

UPDATE:  once I turned off Pre-Focusing, it stopped.

Edited April 25, 2023 by cj3209

[Mak67]

Regarding your Autofocus problem:

 

It is well know that Leica SL2 are not the best AF camera, but this IS true with all lenses 

 

My apo (35/75) were definitly  bit slower than my Slzooms ... But at the same Time, they were quicker than my sigma fix focal lenses ...but with all my lenses i get accurate focus in AFS (i dont use AiF or AFC)

 

I mean, it 's the AF system of the camera which is inconsistant ... So if your caméra focus accuretly with one Lens and not thé other ...let's say :  it might be faulty.

[LocalHero1953]

I assume this is linked to your other thread about Pre-AF.

Certainly Pre-AF makes an irritating continuous hunting noise; although it is not loud, I don't find Pre-AF useful, so it is turned off to conserve battery.

With the camera switched off, then image stabilisation systems may rattle, but I don't think the 28mm SL has OIS.

The Summicron AF is audible, though barely so in the case of my 35, 75 and 90, and I don't notice it except when I specifically listen. Whether this is a problem or not is down to the individual, I guess. I find the Summicron AF systems as fast as the zooms (I have all three Leica zooms - not the Sigma rebrands). Speed and accuracy of AF in the SL system is less an issue for me than face recognition and tracking, which could definitely be improved.

[MRJohn]

I find the SL prime lens AF surprisingly loud, disappointingly so. I am not sure if it needs to be like that for technical reasons. Interestingly, some make a more squeaky noice than others, especially when focus hunting in not well lit scenes like a concert. Of my 3 primes (35, 50, 90), I needed to return my 50 for an exchange because of it. When I bought my 90, being sensitized to the issue, I checked 4 copies and picked the most silent one. They probably all meet Leica QC and specifications, but within those there seems to be a range. The Leica zooms are much more quit, so it is possible to produce AF-quiet lenses.

[SoCalLeicanator]

4 hours ago, MRJohn said:

I find the SL prime lens AF surprisingly loud, disappointingly so. I am not sure if it needs to be like that for technical reasons. Interestingly, some make a more squeaky noice than others, especially when focus hunting in not well lit scenes like a concert. Of my 3 primes (35, 50, 90), I needed to return my 50 for an exchange because of it. When I bought my 90, being sensitized to the issue, I checked 4 copies and picked the most silent one. They probably all meet Leica QC and specifications, but within those there seems to be a range. The Leica zooms are much more quit, so it is possible to produce AF-quiet lenses.

Well, it seems like the noise was within the Leica QC and is probably unconnected to the reason I sent it back.  I would half depress the focus, get the green box around the eye, object etc and about 20% of the time when I depressed the shutter the lens would lose focus and twirl back and forth for a few seconds before locking back on and taking the picture.  Pity too, as I really preferred the output of the 28APO to the Leica Q2 (my other body).  The images were gorgeous.  So, now I am (likely unnecessarily) once bitten twice shy about used gear AND wondering if my first APO should be one of the other focal lengths and just keep the Q2 for the 28 days. . .

Edited April 29, 2023 by SoCalLeicanator

[jplomley]

35 APO and 75 APO lenses here and they are whisper silent. Bought the first copies that came in the shop, so probably the first or second manufactured batch. Could a component have been changed due to supply chain issues during COVID, and its not quite up to spec?