35mm f2 Summicron Problem?
- Thread starter Rangefinder Man
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x-ray
Veteran
No it's not normal. Looks like you have a v4 summicron. Ny v4 has focusing helix problems too but not to the point of coming apart. My lens is very sloppy in the helix as though the helix for the lens is smaller than the helix in the mount. It allows it to slop around and wobble. In the late 70's to the 90's Leica cut corners on construction. My tabbed 50 also had serious problems with binding in the mount. Neither lens has been abused. Send it to DAG and Don should be able to fix it.
dreamsandart
Well-known
This is a common problem with this lens. Leica started to glue some of their products ( M6 finder / lenses ) together in the 80s rather than use screws.
This isn't so bad maybe as things are either out or in with no in between, and finders seems to hold together well. But maybe the main problem with the v4 35 Summicron is the combination of small size with the new style squared hood. Its very tempting to use the hood as a hold to take the lens on/off the camera and this may brake the glued seal so the front part turns.
An easy fix, but need to send it in; then either resist using the hood as a hand-hold or get a round hood for the lens. BTW, I wonder if we'd see more severe lens damage to older set-screw designs if they could take the squared hood? I understand the 35 Summilux ASPH has had a few of this same problem, but maybe not as much being a bigger lens that doesn't 'encourage' the grabbing on of the hood.
Again, a common problem, but 'common' in generally well made Leica lenses is not all that often. Never had it happen with my v4 Summicron and never met anyone with it, only hear about it in the forums.
This isn't so bad maybe as things are either out or in with no in between, and finders seems to hold together well. But maybe the main problem with the v4 35 Summicron is the combination of small size with the new style squared hood. Its very tempting to use the hood as a hold to take the lens on/off the camera and this may brake the glued seal so the front part turns.
An easy fix, but need to send it in; then either resist using the hood as a hand-hold or get a round hood for the lens. BTW, I wonder if we'd see more severe lens damage to older set-screw designs if they could take the squared hood? I understand the 35 Summilux ASPH has had a few of this same problem, but maybe not as much being a bigger lens that doesn't 'encourage' the grabbing on of the hood.
Again, a common problem, but 'common' in generally well made Leica lenses is not all that often. Never had it happen with my v4 Summicron and never met anyone with it, only hear about it in the forums.
Rico
Well-known
My v4 has never come apart but, then, I'm careful to avoid using it at all! Sorry, Summaron humor. 🙂
