35mm Summilux-M F1.4 Aperture Ring Gets "Stuck"

[costa43]

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I just picked up my copy and it has this problem. After around an hour or so, there is additional resistance when moving the aperture from the last f stop selected. The cause on mine seems to be a tiny bit of up and down play in the aperture ring. if I gently lift it from the back, it moves as smoothly as it should.

Suffice to say, I'm returning it for a full refund. It also means I may have to cancel my repair for the second time on my current 35mm lens as I have no direct replacement now which is another frustration! Vent over...

[Smudgerer]

8 minutes ago, costa43 said:

I just picked up my copy and it has this problem. After around an hour or so, there is additional resistance when moving the aperture from the last f stop selected. The cause on mine seems to be a tiny bit of up and down play in the aperture ring. if I gently lift it from the back, it moves as smoothly as it should.

Suffice to say, I'm returning it for a full refund. It also means I may have to cancel my repair for the second time on my current 35mm lens as I have no direct replacement now which is another frustration! Vent over...

One can never have too many 35mm lenses for a Leica M system, so I'm sorry about you possibly having to go without for a while but have you considered or tried the Voigtlander Nokton Classic 35mm f1.4 II MC / SC as a "back-up" for the 'Lux's? I have several 35's, Summilux's and Summicron versions, plus the Nokton and it truly stands as good as the Leica lenses, plus better haptics in some comparisons.

[costa43]

1 hour ago, Smudgerer said:

One can never have too many 35mm lenses for a Leica M system, so I'm sorry about you possibly having to go without for a while but have you considered or tried the Voigtlander Nokton Classic 35mm f1.4 II MC / SC as a "back-up" for the 'Lux's? I have several 35's, Summilux's and Summicron versions, plus the Nokton and it truly stands as good as the Leica lenses, plus better haptics in some comparisons.

Thanks, I hear you on not having too many 35mm lenses! I've owned the Nokton 35mm and the 40mm in the past. Very good lenses. My intention was to go for a modern Leica lens to compliment my vintage one and I think it is still likely that I will go down this route in the next few weeks but I have some travels this weekend and want a 35mm lens. I will have mine returned and then try again with the Leica. 

Edited Monday at 12:11 PM by costa43

[SudaliuS]

1 hour ago, costa43 said:

Suffice to say, I'm returning it for a full refund.

I wouldn't rush to return it if I were you. Absolutely all of these new lenses with built-in hoods have a tendency to harden after a few hours of non-use. I mean 35mm and 50mm Lux. Some people just talk about it, and others don't. That's all. Some people find it annoying, others don't. I've had the lens for over a year now. It hasn't had any play at all, and it produces a beautiful image that others can't match. That's the most important thing. These lenses are becoming less and less available, and their prices are already rising.

Edited Monday at 12:29 PM by SudaliuS

[costa43]

8 minutes ago, SudaliuS said:

I wouldn't rush to return it if I were you. Absolutely all of these new lenses with built-in hoods have a tendency to harden after a few hours of non-use. I mean 35mm and 50mm Lux. Some people just talk about it, and others don't. That's all. Some people find it annoying, others don't. I've had the lens for over a year now. It hasn't had any play at all, and it produces a beautiful image that others can't match. That's the most important thing. These lenses are becoming less and less available, and their prices are already rising.

I'm not sure if they all have the same issue but I have to return mine as this sort of thing really bothers me, the play is very slight but it is there on the copy I had. I would not mind it if it did not have an impact on function but for it to act in the way it does, for me is unnacceptable.  I would expect the aperture ring to be smooth and consistent at all times, like all my other lenses. I would hazard a guess that that would be Leica's design intention also. I may go back a generation if the next copy is the same, I do prefer this new design but the handling of a lens is possibly its most important factor for me.