mdozier Posted January 21, 2009 Share #1 Posted January 21, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) Just got a "new" 50 'lux ASPH used, originally purchased in Feb, '08. It seems that in the close region the focus ring is stiff, I wouldn't exactly call it sticky but when making small adjustments at close range it's stiff. When you rotate through the entire range it rotates smoothly. Its just when actually focusing close up it seems stiff and less than smooth. Not at all like my 35 or 50 'crons. I know the seller let it go because he wasn't using it so I wondered if simply working it back and forth a lot and just more use will help? Is this a trait of Summiluxes? Is there an amateur corrective step? If it just needs a "cla" so be it. Any advice or help is appreciated. matt Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted January 21, 2009 Posted January 21, 2009 Hi mdozier, Take a look here 50 Summilux stiff focus. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Guest breverl Posted January 21, 2009 Share #2 Posted January 21, 2009 ... Hi I got my summilux in august 2008, and it was as well not at all that smooth in the beginning, but after a while it worked very fine ... ... no idea whether this is normal, it was my only brand new lens I bought ever ... regards roland Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdozier Posted January 21, 2009 Author Share #3 Posted January 21, 2009 thanks roland, that's good to know. I hoped it was a matter of infrequent use. My 2 summicrons were used when i got them so no "newness" to compare. Thanks, m Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
marknorton Posted January 21, 2009 Share #4 Posted January 21, 2009 It's a more complex mount than most Leica M lenses because of the close focus correction. Mine was stiff too, went back to Leica but will never be like a 50mm Summicron. Plus, mine back-focusses. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shadow Blaster Posted January 21, 2009 Share #5 Posted January 21, 2009 For what it's worth, I got my new 50 Summilux in October, 2008 and have exoerienced no such symptoms. Good luck! John S. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
miklosphoto Posted March 11, 2009 Share #6 Posted March 11, 2009 Just got a "new" 50 'lux ASPH used, originally purchased in Feb, '08. It seems that in the close region the focus ring is stiff, I wouldn't exactly call it sticky but when making small adjustments at close range it's stiff. When you rotate through the entire range it rotates smoothly. Its just when actually focusing close up it seems stiff and less than smooth. Not at all like my 35 or 50 'crons. I know the seller let it go because he wasn't using it so I wondered if simply working it back and forth a lot and just more use will help? Is this a trait of Summiluxes? Is there an amateur corrective step? If it just needs a "cla" so be it. Any advice or help is appreciated. matt Hi Matt, I just got mine, same story. What happened to yours? Did it loosen up or is it still the same? thanks Miklos Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdozier Posted March 11, 2009 Author Share #7 Posted March 11, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hi Matt, I just got mine, same story. What happened to yours? Did it loosen up or is it still the same?thanks Miklos Hi Miklos, Actually I hadn't thought about it but it has eased. It doesn't seem as "sticky" at close region as it had. I have come to believe that it's not a problem with mine and will continue to smooth out with more use. As I noted it wasn't horrible but more of a nuisance when making slight adjustments up close; and it certainly seems to be less of a problem now. Hope that helps, and thanks again to all for the input, very helpful. Matt Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ErikFive Posted March 11, 2009 Share #8 Posted March 11, 2009 When you watch TV or whatever you can turn the focus back and forth some hundred times. Should get the lubes flowing again Im not kidding... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DerekF Posted March 12, 2009 Share #9 Posted March 12, 2009 Not the same lens, but my then-new 75 Summicron ASPH had the same problem the OP describes. I sent it back, got a new one and all was well with that one. Luck of the draw, I guess! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBA Posted March 12, 2009 Share #10 Posted March 12, 2009 I rented a 50 Summilux Asph from Leica last year and it had the same problem. It also had a serious focus issue. Out of six rolls shot with it on an MP, not one was in focus -- not even the ones shot at hyperfocal. If that lens had performed anywhere near on par with the non-asph 50 'Lux I bought subsequently, I'd have found a way to cough up the dough for the Asph. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
guywalder Posted March 12, 2009 Share #11 Posted March 12, 2009 I was underwhealmed with my 50 summilux ASPH to start with, from new it was disappointing on my M7. Then I got an M8 and quickly spotted that the focus was off. I took it back to Solms, and since then the focus has been perfect. It has always had a sticky focussing action though. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
doug_m Posted March 12, 2009 Share #12 Posted March 12, 2009 I have been told that the stickiness noted on the 50 lux ASPH is due to the floating element. My 50 lux ASPH is the best lens I've ever owned and the focus seems dead on. Its also seems like the stickiness I noted when the lens was new has now disappeared. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoppyman Posted March 12, 2009 Share #13 Posted March 12, 2009 Doug is correct. I also recommend exercising it continuously for a period to assist in further smoothing the action. Mine at least has smoothed since new. It was never bad naturally. What you get for that aditional firmness in the action is superb performance in close and virtual immunity to any focus shift as you change the aperture setting. Be aware of course that focussing at f/1.4 in close is very unforgiving, especially on the M8. Its longer brother the 75 Summicron ASPH. shares the same floating element design and the same advantages. I have been told that the stickiness noted on the 50 lux ASPH is due to the floating element. My 50 lux ASPH is the best lens I've ever owned and the focus seems dead on. Its also seems like the stickiness I noted when the lens was new has now disappeared. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wattsy Posted March 12, 2009 Share #14 Posted March 12, 2009 Plus, mine back-focusses. That can be fixed. It took two attempts (assuming Solms did anything the first time around) but my 50 Summilux is now pretty much bang on. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
innerimager Posted March 12, 2009 Share #15 Posted March 12, 2009 Mine also arrived stiff over a year ago. It has loosened up considerably with normal use plus liberal amounts of twisting while I watch TV! Mine also arrived with severe back focusing, I sent it to DAG despite being under warranty trusting it would be done right the first time. $100 well spent. best....Peter Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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