Summicron C 40mm stiff focus

[Derbyshire Man]

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I see there's another thread on this, is it a class issue? I've just taken delivery from MPB of a very nice condition lens, sharp and focusses perfectly. The focus is however *very* stiff.

While the price from MPB wasn't bad adding on a CLA will add 50% to the cost. Is it even worth trying or will it still be stiff? Should I send back and roll the dice or should I send for a clean and lube?  (bearing in mind the damn thing will be missing for months).

It's a great lens and I love it.

Ta!

Edited February 5 by Derbyshire Man

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[wda]

Discuss it with MPB.

[Derbyshire Man]

6 minutes ago, wda said:

Discuss it with MPB.

They said send it back or we'll give you £25 for your troubles (CLA looks like £200-250).

[TomB_tx]

Nearly all lenses of that era will get very stiff from dried lubricants in the focus helicoids, especially if they have been left unused for a long time.  THis may be a sign the lens has not been used much and would be worth keeping.

[Deeetona]

Send it to your CLA guy and keep it for life and forget the money

[Deeetona]

1 minute ago, TomB_tx said:

Nearly all lenses of that era will get very stiff from dried lubricants in the focus helicoids, especially if they have been left unused for a long time.  THis may be a sign the lens has not been used much and would be worth keeping.

Indeed, as lenses can only take so-and-so-many imagines going through them.

[3D-Kraft.com]

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vor 25 Minuten schrieb Deeetona:

Indeed, as lenses can only take so-and-so-many imagines going through them.

You never heard of photon wear and tear?

[lct]

My 40/2 copies are butter smooth and never needed a CLA. They did not stay in a drawer for 30+ years though. I would not expect a reputable dealer to sell a lens like that. It is not as if the Summicron 40 were a rare lens so i would send it back personally. YMMV.

[wda]

Plenty of exercise might ease it.

[lct]

5 hours ago, wda said:

Plenty of exercise might ease it.

Or break the plastic focus knob. Been there done that.

[henk.sijgers]

I recently bought a sibling M-Rokkor 1:2/40 (2nd generation) whose focus became progressively stiffer approaching infinity. The seller recommended using a hair dryer to heat the old lubricants to loosen them up but that made no discernible difference. After separating and cleaning the helicoids and treating them to new grease the lens is now one-finger (pinky!) butter smooth to focus, so it was worth it to me. It's not a job for the faint of heart (self maintenance) or light of wallet (sending for CLA), but these are great little lenses! 

[Derbyshire Man]

7 hours ago, henk.sijgers said:

I recently bought a sibling M-Rokkor 1:2/40 (2nd generation) whose focus became progressively stiffer approaching infinity. The seller recommended using a hair dryer to heat the old lubricants to loosen them up but that made no discernible difference. After separating and cleaning the helicoids and treating them to new grease the lens is now one-finger (pinky!) butter smooth to focus, so it was worth it to me. It's not a job for the faint of heart (self maintenance) or light of wallet (sending for CLA), but these are great little lenses! 

I'd love to learn how to do it. It seems a good skill to have. I'm happy replacing surface mount components or microsurgery right up to plastering, carpentry, cabinet/window making etc. In fact I'm much more worried regarding the absence of these things rather than breaking them or cost. I don't like however to attempt things blind.

Edited February 6 by Derbyshire Man

[wda]

11 hours ago, lct said:

Or break the plastic focus knob. Been there done that.

I have a 135 Elmar which was stiff to focus. These lesser-used lenses can be unused for years. Gentle focusing over time eased my copy. Agreed it is not the same design.