APO 50mm - loose aperture ring? is the silver ed. better?

[charlie_s]

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Yesterday I saw a used 50mm-APO-Summicron-M at a Leica store, it was rated “A” / excellent condition but the aperture ring would rattle / wiggle when rotating through the stops (made a clicking sound about half the time, depending on how you were holding it and how fast you rotated)

The sales associate told me that this was normal behavior and a known thing that happens with M lenses after years of use. 

I’m new to M lenses— is this totally normal and something I shouldn’t be worried about? Is it expensive to fix? Is the silver edition any better?

I walked into that store pretty ready to purchase the used lens but now am wondering if I should just spend a few thousand more for a new one that I can take care of myself

Thanks!

Edited August 2, 2024 by charlie_s

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[LeicaR10]

Charlie_S,  First, welcome to the forum.  Second, I totally agree with Al Brown's above post.  The 50 Apo aperture should not rattle.  I would walk away.  r/ Mark

[insomnia]

A loose aperture ring was the case with pretty much all of the lenses I've came across over the years. I don't get it, it's part of the haptic experience to have solid clicks and a certain resistance against involuntary changes isn't too bad either... I've send them all back to Leica to tighten or to change to a stiffer spring.

Edited August 2, 2024 by insomnia

[evikne]

I once purchased a brand new 50mm Summilux ASPH Black Chrome with this behavior. I was told it was totally normal, but it annoyed me so much that I eventually sold it.

[Anbaric]

Well, this is what happens when someone cheaps out and buys the £7420 black lens when they should really have bought the £7670 silver lens! Though it's probably best not to mention it probably wouldn't happen with the £899 Voigtländer APO, and nobody will be able to tell the difference from your photos...

Seriously, it sounds like this one needs servicing. With any used lens, it's much better to get one that behaves like it's new, even if it's cosmetically imperfect.

[Ecar]

I haven't bought a new lens in a while, but out-of-the-box loose/rattling aperture rings seemed to be frequent a few years back (say, around 2017-2020 - I'm told it's improved now). Perhaps the APO in question is one of those. Had to send a couple of brand new lenses (including an APO 50 BC) straight to Leica Switzerland for tightening. Done in a couple of days: apparently, it's an easy fix.

Edited August 2, 2024 by Ecar

[jakontil]

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A 50 apo cron will rattle and kinda loose over time, same goes with 35 FLE after enough usage to trigger such behaviour

in my book it’s normal for a used lens but one to each own, when i get a used lens i would most likely send to a local tech for inspections

a 50 lux lhsa black paint was a little loose when i get it used, sent to a local tech, he asked me how i prefer the aperture clicks to be? Just normal

after i got it back, i was so surprised how different it was felt 😂