Jammed focus ring on SUMMICRON DR 50mm

[Mallik]

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Hello All,

I recently acquired a Summicron DR 50mm (without the glasses). It arrived with the focus ring set to close focusing position, however I am not able to rotate the ring even if I depress the pin in the top and not able to move the focus ring to normal focusing rage position. I am able to pull the focusing ring forward but cant turn it. not sure what the issue is. Has anyone faced this issue and found a solution? appreciate any suggestions to fix it. Apparently the lens was left mounted on a M3 for over a decade.

I may eventually send it for service..

[wda]

Have you spoken to the vendor?

[Mallik]

3 minutes ago, wda said:

Have you spoken to the vendor?

It was sold As-Is at a very attractive price and I took the risk as the glass is in perfect condition.

[wda]

Looks like a service is due.

[wizard]

vor einer Stunde schrieb Mallik:

I am able to pull the focusing ring forward but cant turn it.

Try pulling the focusing ring forward, then depress the little ball in the top while keeping the focusing ring pulled forward, and only then try to rotate the focusing ring to the normal focusing range position (while still depressing the little ball and keeping the focusing ring pulled forward). If that does not work, something within the lens is blocked and the lens will need a service.

[jankap]

Ken Rockwell:

As we expect from the golden days of LEICA, the close-focus range is very easy to use.

Simply photograph normally. If for some reason the lens won't focus closely enough and you hit the stop at 1 meter in the normal range, simply:

1.) Pull the focus ring away from the camera and turn it towards closer distances. 

2.) It will stop, locked at 0.88 meters until you attach the adapter. 

3.) Release the focus ring.

4.) Take the close-focus adapter from your breast pocket, and slip-on the adapter. You can do this all by feel.

5.) You now can focus in the close range. The adapter even compensates for the increased magnification for perfect framing!

 

Likewise, if you're in the close range and need to focus farther away, when the lens hits the stop at 0.88 meters:

1.) Pull the adapter forward and off the camera, 

2.) Put it away in your breast pocket,

3.) Pull the focus ring away from the camera and rotate it towards the farther distance, and 

4.) Release the focus ring and focus normally.

Edited October 18, 2023 by jankap

[wizard]

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vor 21 Minuten schrieb jankap:

Pull the focus ring away from the camera and rotate it towards the farther distance

Yes, but the OP says that he cannot rotate the focus ring. Also, the OP bought the DR Summicron without the adapter (but should of course still be able to use the lens in the normal focus range).

[jankap]

vor 3 Stunden schrieb wizard:

 the lens will need a service.

Have you seen, that service means, that you send in the part and after 8 months the repair begins? So we should try to help him without using the service.

[wda]

It depends on an owner's skill level. I'd have thought the lens needs relubrication if it has lain dormant for so long. 

[Mallik]

Thank you all for your inputs. Managed to free it, it needed bit more force which I was avoiding in the fear of damaging. Once it moved, it's turning smoothly in the normal focus range now. For now i will avoid moving it to close range as I don't have the eyes anyway.  Happy to pair it with my M3.

Again, thanks for all your suggestions.

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[wizard]

vor 12 Stunden schrieb jankap:

Have you seen, that service means, that you send in the part and after 8 months the repair begins?

That may be true for the factory Leica service. However, there are independent repair persons available who will be much qucker (and cheaper).

[a.noctilux]

On 10/19/2023 at 4:59 AM, Mallik said:

Once it moved, it's turning smoothly in the normal focus range now

Nice lens.

Let us know if the results are great or not.