GoneSavage
not actually
I just received a Biogon 2/35 from an RFF member, and happened to have the chance to compare it with a friend's. The difference in coatings puzzles me... has anyone seen this before?
The lens is also quite stiff by comparison, especially when focusing toward infinity. Does anyone know if it is possible to loosen the focusing ring?
Thanks,
Mathew
The lens is also quite stiff by comparison, especially when focusing toward infinity. Does anyone know if it is possible to loosen the focusing ring?
Thanks,
Mathew
I wouldn't be worried about the apparently different colour coatings. I saw the same thing with two Millennium Nikkor-S 50mm f1.4 lenses I once owned and shot a roll of slide film with the lenses to check if there was any difference in the colour rendering. There wasn't, and I'm willing to bet you won't see any difference between the two Biogons either.
The stiff focusing is another issue. It sounds like you either need to get the focus helicoid regreased, or use the lens a lot and wear it in. I've owned three Biogon 35/2 lenses, and two of them had slightly stiff focusing actions so its not uncommon with this lens.
The stiff focusing is another issue. It sounds like you either need to get the focus helicoid regreased, or use the lens a lot and wear it in. I've owned three Biogon 35/2 lenses, and two of them had slightly stiff focusing actions so its not uncommon with this lens.
Avotius
Some guy
In the last two weeks my friends have gone gaga over my Zeiss lens collection and two of them have gone out and bought Zeiss 21's and 50 f1.5's and I noticed that between the 50 1.5's there was some difference in the focus resistance, one was very tight while the other was buttery smooth. Also the two 21's seemed different to mine as well, but mine is well worn in by now and theirs are new. I also have a 50 f2 that has the slightly stiff uneven area in the focus range that kind of works its way out when I use it a lot then when it sits for a while it comes back. Uneven lubrication? Mechanical hand built tolerances? I dont know, but if it works I dont need to mess with it too much. Shoot a roll through the lens and see if it means anything in the end, try to get the lens to flare a bit too, maybe a missing coating layer? Who knows....secondly send the pictures of the coatings to Zeiss, you will find them pretty on the ball when it comes to customer service.
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GoneSavage
not actually
Thanks for the quick replies!
jonmanjiro, who would you recommend I send the lens to to have this done? Would I get a similar result from focusing it back and fourth for a few hours/days?
jonmanjiro, who would you recommend I send the lens to to have this done? Would I get a similar result from focusing it back and fourth for a few hours/days?
I'd be inclined to get it fix right rather than hope the lens smoothes out after some use. It's a pretty basic fix for a competent repair man, so you don't need to send your lens great distances to get it done. Where are you located?
GoneSavage
not actually
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. As far as I know, there isn't anyone in the area that does this kind of work... I'm just wondering if I should keep the lens, as it was described as being "indistinguishable from a new copy".
back alley
IMAGES
my zm 35/2.8 coating is more green/purple...
have you tried the lens yet?
i doubt that it's a mistake on zeiss's part but then who knows?
i would check to see if the colour or contrast of your images is 'off' compared to the other lens.
btw, i'm in edmonton also.
joe
have you tried the lens yet?
i doubt that it's a mistake on zeiss's part but then who knows?
i would check to see if the colour or contrast of your images is 'off' compared to the other lens.
btw, i'm in edmonton also.
joe
GoneSavage
not actually
back alley, nice to know I'm not alone here!
I haven't shot a roll with it yet, but I'll probably do a test tonight. As long as it doesn't flare any more than the other one (also with the green/purple coating), I'm sure it will be fine. It is more the stiff focusing that bothers me—I wouldn't expect a lens of this calibre to be so difficult to use.
I haven't shot a roll with it yet, but I'll probably do a test tonight. As long as it doesn't flare any more than the other one (also with the green/purple coating), I'm sure it will be fine. It is more the stiff focusing that bothers me—I wouldn't expect a lens of this calibre to be so difficult to use.
back alley
IMAGES
try a minute under the hair dryer and a few minutes of turning it back and forth.
GoneSavage
not actually
Done. It was a bit better while it was hot, but upon cooling it returned to it's rigid state. I have probably focused the lens back and forth 200 times since yesterday, and if there has been a change, it is not noticeable. Thanks for the tip though!
Praxis Unitas
Established
Send it back to Zeiss for greasing.
Send it back to Zeiss for greasing.
Send it back to Zeiss for greasing. FYI, I had this problem and lubricated the threads myself. This was a mistake, and is not recommended; I learned that greasing it myself would void the warranty. Also, it is remotely possible that the grease could permeate into the inner lens surfaces. Not likely, but possible. These require a specific, viscous grease that is nonvolatile and doesn't creep.
Send it back to Zeiss for greasing.
Send it back to Zeiss for greasing. FYI, I had this problem and lubricated the threads myself. This was a mistake, and is not recommended; I learned that greasing it myself would void the warranty. Also, it is remotely possible that the grease could permeate into the inner lens surfaces. Not likely, but possible. These require a specific, viscous grease that is nonvolatile and doesn't creep.
GoneSavage
not actually
This is good advice. I might try and fix a $50 pentax lens myself, but I couldn't bring myself to open up a biogon.
f16sunshine
Moderator
back alley
IMAGES
Joe, you have no more need for a hair dryer than I do.
i have one that i used to use to quick dry negs for a fast printing session and that i now use to dry the dogs after a bath.
back alley
IMAGES
there is kinderman in toronto that might work on it but from what i hear zeiss is the place to get it fixed, they are reputed to have pretty great service.
GoneSavage
not actually
Kinderman, huh? Do they have a website? The seller has offered to cover the cost of repair, but I can't find any information on where to send it. If I were to deal with zeiss, would I have to send the lens to Oberkcochen (seems REALLY pricey), or could I have it done in Canada/USA? I think heard somewhere that zeiss Canada only fixes medical equipment, but I'm not sure if this is true.
Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated!
Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated!