Squeaky Sonnar

[presspass]

I have a 50mm Sonnar that I enjoy but it has developed a squeak when focused. It doesn't seem to affect the accuracy of the focus, but the noise is annoying to say the least. Is this something I can fix myself or do I need to send it somewhere and if so, where?
Thanks,

 

[Bob Michaels]

I have a 50mm Sonnar that I enjoy but it has developed a squeak when focused. It doesn't seem to affect the accuracy of the focus, but the noise is annoying to say the least. Is this something I can fix myself or do I need to send it somewhere and if so, where?
Thanks,

First, be aware of internet diagnoses.

Having said that, I will give my diagnosis. It appears that too many of the Cosina assembled lenses have lubrication problems. I do not know why but I have had several.

Regreasing the helicoid is simple job for a good camera repair tech. But it does require partial disassembly of the lens. It is not something I would undertake. But I pay a social visit to my camera repair buddy every week. So I always get immediate service while I wait and always at very low or sometimes no cost.

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

Mine does it too and wobbles as well.

 

[Mister E]

I guess I have lucked out. I had one 21/4.5 which was very tight and also leaked light. I returned it for the tightness to be fixed but then it came back leaking light, it didn't leak before that so I returned it for good. Aside from that the 18/4, 25/2.8, 28/2.8, and 50/2 copies I've owned had no issues at all.

 

[fuwen]

Your Sonnar has the squeaky sound when not mounted or when mounted on the camera? Some of my ZMs do have the squeaky sound but when mounted on camera with the focusing ring resting against the camera focusing cam then they are OK. Off course sometime when taking lens off the body u can be turning the focusing ring too fast compared to what u do when they are mounted on the body.

 

[keepright]

Mine does it too and wobbles as well.

I know a guy whose lens squeaks, wobbles, has focus shift, and occasionally bursts into flames.

Pretty sure it's a ZM…

 

[jsrockit]

First, be aware of internet diagnoses.

Great advice.