Elmarit 28mm asph makes a strange sound?

[Landberg]

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Hi! My lens makes this clicking sound when I focus fast and just stop. Is this normal or might something inside have become loose? It makes no sound if I only shake it. Listen here 

it’s not at the hard stop, it’s when ever I just stop focusing. 

Edited August 18, 2023 by Landberg

[Landberg]

41 minutes ago, Multicoated said:

Sounds like a sticky focusing action. Something with the grease. Hard to tell in 4 seconds. If you focus normally can you hear it? Because that’s not a way anyone would move their focusing ring. Since you didn’t mention anything about the lens or how old it is, then I would assume it needs a CLA. I would imagine that re-greasing the focusing ring will fix it. 

Thanks!

it sounds like that even when I do it slow. Every time I start and or stop focus. It’s the version 1 Elmarit 28mm ASPH.

[Landberg]

Just now, Multicoated said:

I think that a simple cleaning and re-greasing CLA will do the trick. 

Thank you!

[lifeandmylens]

Does the patch line up or does it jump when you hear that noise?

[Landberg]

6 minutes ago, lifeandmylens said:

Does the patch line up or does it jump when you hear that noise?

Nope, it works just fine!

[lifeandmylens]

1 minute ago, Landberg said:

Nope, it works just fine!

Good, sounds like it just needs a cleaning like @Multicoated said.

[wizard]

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vor 2 Minuten schrieb Landberg:

Nope, it works just fine!

Well then, why bother. Just use the lens as it is, the sound will not impair your shots in any way.

[Landberg]

9 minutes ago, wizard said:

Well then, why bother. Just use the lens as it is, the sound will not impair your shots in any way.

It won’t do harm in the long run?

[spydrxx]

The only harm it will do is that it will continue to nag you. I'd just get it CLA'd and be done with it, but that's just me.

[wizard]

Am 18.8.2023 um 17:13 schrieb Landberg:

It won’t do harm in the long run?

There is a saying "Never change a running system", so why do something now if it works just fine as you say. The sound won't do any harm in the long run either. Once the lens does not work fine, send it in and have it CLAed. Why waste money now. After all, it is the result that counts, and the results seem to be fine.

[Bronco McBeast]

This lens is notorious for wobbling; and there is nothing that can be done. No amount of tightening will correct it. If you take off the hood you will notice a tiny play in the front optical cell where is the aperture ring.

it’s just how the lens is made; and it’s a shame.

[Landberg]

8 hours ago, Bronco McBeast said:

This lens is notorious for wobbling; and there is nothing that can be done. No amount of tightening will correct it. If you take off the hood you will notice a tiny play in the front optical cell where is the aperture ring.

it’s just how the lens is made; and it’s a shame.

 

On 8/21/2023 at 10:33 AM, wizard said:

There is a saying "Never change a running system", so why do something now if it works just fine as you say. The sound won't do any harm in the long run either. Once the lens does not work fine, send it in and have it CLAed. Why waste money now. After all, it is the result that counts, and the results seem to be fine.

I see. Well, then i’ll just keep on shooting;)

[JTLeica]

I had this on my 28mm Summilux, turns out it was just my wallet that was quietly crying in the corner.

[Landberg]

10 hours ago, Carlinski said:

Hello. I had this lens. It sounds like it’s loose. The front elements? I would service it. 

For me it would be unacceptable in such an expensive lens. None of my Voigtlander lenses make these noises and they cost a fraction of the price. 

I have since sold this lens and now I shoot the 28 Ultron II. For the price it is a much better lens. For what I pay for Leica lenses, the Elmarit ASPH is not to my standard (and shouldn’t be to Leica’s either).

It might be a little loose. Nothing major. I’m not a big fan of the stronger contrast in voigtlander lenses. But it’s not a good sign if they are better built..

[Landberg]

7 hours ago, JTLeica said:

I had this on my 28mm Summilux, turns out it was just my wallet that was quietly crying in the corner.

Didi you get it fixed?

[Landberg]

18 minutes ago, Carlinski said:

It’s basically this 

I expect a lot more from an expensive Leica lens. 

For me the best Leica lenses are Summicrons. I would let this Elmarit go and just use the Summicron if I had to have a Leica lens. I would only buy like new or brand new. I bought my Summicron brand new sealed in the box at the camera store. The rest of my lenses I just choose Voigtlander. 

I seldom use the 28mm focal length as I think 35mm is better for my photos. The Nokton II 35f1.4 is lovely. Like an old pre-ASPH Summilux. 

Hopefully Leica has a plan to update this lens to something built correctly. 

You can also go vintage and get one of the Mandler 28mm Elmarit v3. Not as small but built right. 
 

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Mine doesn’t make a sound if I shake it, it’s only when I start/stop focus. I can live with if it’s not going to fall apart. I want the lens because of the small size and the excellent IQ. I went from a voigtlander nokton to this. Also I only shoot 28, won’t buy any other focal length.

A summicron 28 is too much money for my bank account. I got this lens really cheap (it had not been used for a very long time) knowing it might need a CLA. And I mean CHEAP. Less than a new Voigtlander Nokton 28mm.

at first it was a bit sticky but it got smooth after a couple of weeks of usage. But I don’t remember if it sounded like this the whole time. 
 

I need to find another lens for a couple of months and I’ll send it off for some CLA.

[Bronco McBeast]

The wobble is actually the whole optical cell, not just the front group.
While you make it wobble, look at the rear lens and you will see it wobble as well.

There is no fix for that, except maybe macgyvering something llike adding  shimss to the locking ring, or actually shaving it down. Or glue.

Regrding the elmarit asph V1, the problem really is just a mistake in the production tolerances. Cute design, very sexy size, but obviously an economy move from Leica to create an economy lens . It is far from the Summicron in all aspects, including its imaging characteristics which are rudimentary and raw compared to the extremely well behaved and gentleSummicron.

[Landberg]

I just got the lens back from Germany. 
This is what they found during service “Our service technician has detected a centering error”.

now the lens feels like new, no noise.