35mm lux asph- smooth focus ?

[vizioneer]

I own a chrome 35 lux asph, and the focusing is slightly notchy. The previous one I owned was similar. Does anyone have similar experiences? Is there are way to improve this? I guess use it more, but I've also read about using light machine oil. Perhaps some sewing machine oil? Anyone have a good approach to using some oil (which oil and method)? Thanks in advance.

 

[amateriat]

I'd think twice before doing something like this to a current-model 'lux on your own. If the "notchy"-ness is that objectionable (and for the sum of money one of those costs, I can understand your concern), why not send it in to Leica for a thorough scoping-out?


- Barrett

 

[Magus]

Post deleted by posters request

 

[vizioneer]

Thanks guys, it has seen some light useage thus far. Exercise time!

 

[BudGreen]

I have a new black 35 lux with the same issue. It's not terrible, but it's not as velvety smooth as my other lenses. The exercise approach sounds like good advice.

 

[peter_n]

To give you incentive, I bought a used 35 Lux ASPH a few months ago. The seller described the focus ring to me as "buttery" and he was dead right. It is the smoothest focusing of all my lenses - so work your lens and you should be OK! 🙂

 

[x-ray]

I purchased a 90 apo asph used but in great condition. The focus grabbed on it so I sent it to DAG. DAG stated there was nothing wrong but the problem could be resolved with thicker lube in the focusing helix. I had him do it and now it like silm but a little stiffer than factory lube. No problem with a little mor firm focus and the cost was $90.

My tabbed 50 summicron has always had a tight spot around 3 ft. I was talking to a salesman at Camera West a month or so ago and asked him about this. He stated that this was very common with this model and not to be concerned. My version is black but hte said the chrome late version were more prone to the slight sticky spot.


http://www.photo.net/photos/X-Ray

 

[vizioneer]

Ah DAG, I always hear good things about that shop. I'll try the more shooting (always good) and also working it while not shooting. Ironically, I had read quite a few times about the 75 lux being stiff focusing but the example I had was silky smooth (bummer I had to sell it back in Summer 2004).

 

[peter_n]

Don I have the same issue with my 90 APO. I'm thinking of sending mine to Leica NJ in July when I won't need it as much. Lenses that cost this much shouldn't have these kind of problems... 🙁

 

[StuartR]

Mine is very smooth, but I use it all the time. I think it started pretty smooth, but got smoother with time. The more you use it, the smoother it should become.

 

[x-ray]

Don I have the same issue with my 90 APO. I'm thinking of sending mine to Leica NJ in July when I won't need it as much. Lenses that cost this much shouldn't have these kind of problems... 🙁

You're right. I don't think Leica is building the mounts like they used to. I've owned a ton of Leica glass over the years and have only seen this issue on lenses made in the past ten to fifteen years. My earlier lenses never had a problem of any kind. I'm wondering if this is because they're trying to make them lighter? DAG described my problem as a pinch in the focus. It was smooth if I racked it through the focus but if i tried to critically focus it would catch and jerk while fine focusing. Very annoying!!! My 50 just has a tigh spot or hump as I call it at the 3 ft point and no where else. It's not bad but annoying to me. On the 50 I don't like the kind of tab that's on it and would rather have a serated focusing ring and no tab. I like the tab on my 35 summicron 4th generation and the tab on my new 50 summilux is OK but would rather not have a tab at all. My other lenses, 21 elmarit, 35 summicron, 50 asph lux, 75 lux, 90 elmarit 1st version (black) and 135 elmarit are all silky smooth. My 75 lux has a heavy feel to the focus but that's OK and the 90 apo asph has a heavy feel now but that's fine too. I don't mind some resistance and actually like it as long as there is no sticking duriong critical focus.


http://www.photo.net/photos/X-Ray

 

[Magus]

Post deleted by posters request

 

[peter_n]

When I bought my first Leica almost 3 years ago, I went through two current 50mm Summicrons both of which were binding. The first one went back to Leica NJ and came back (weeks later) just the same. The dealer swapped the lens for another and lo and behold it had the same problem but in a different place on the travel. That also went to NJ and took so long to come back that I bought a used current Elmar 50 from a guy on PN for the interim and liked it so much I got a full refund from the dealer on the Summicron.

No other new lenses until this 90 APO and that binds, although not as badly as the Summicrons. My favorite comparison is the Konica lenses of which I have had three in the last 3 years. I'm currently the proud owner of a 28mm Hexanon-M. Those lenses were all optically and mechanically perfect. Just incredibly high build quality that IMHO Leica should study and learn from.

 

[SolaresLarrave]

I've been lucky. All my lenses turn fairly well. In fact, my Hexanon 35/2 (yeah, I know it's not Leica) has the smoothest focusing because it's the one that gets the most use. Hence, Viz... it's exercise time for your 'lux! 🙂

 

[StuartR]

That's funny Peter, because the 50mm summicron I have (most recent...bought in 2002), is by far the smoothest focusing lens I have! Sample variation and all I guess. I think part of it is that Leica uses so many threads in the assembly of their lenses. They do this to increase rigidity at all points of lens extension. The best example of this is the 100mm APO macro in the R system, which has something like 17-25 separate threads (I forget the exact figure, but it is a lot!), but even if you rack the lens out to 1:2 (it is almost double its original length), it is still extraordinarily solid with no play whatsoever. But by adding so many threads, I think they also make it harder to get them entirely smooth. The more threads there are, the greater the chance that there will be a tight spot at some point. Anyway, that is just my guess.

And I will say that the Konica lenses I have used have been extremely smooth as well.

 

[StuartR]

Actually, I went to a "virtual factory tour" that my local Leica rep gave a few weeks ago, and it really led me to appreciate the build quality of the Leica lenses even more than I did originally. There are so many little things that they have done to ensure quality, yet they don't really market it at all. Just one little thing -- the raw glass for one of the elements in the noctilux costs 1500 dollars a kilo BEFORE it has even been ground. And the summary of the QC was really amazing. Every single element is checked manually, multiple times by different people. Every single lens has a comprhensive projection test on multiple axises and so on. It is really thorough.

 

[amateriat]

When I bought my first Leica almost 3 years ago, I went through two current 50mm Summicrons both of which were binding. The first one went back to Leica NJ and came back (weeks later) just the same. The dealer swapped the lens for another and lo and behold it had the same problem but in a different place on the travel. That also went to NJ and took so long to come back that I bought a used current Elmar 50 from a guy on PN for the interim and liked it so much I got a full refund from the dealer on the Summicron.

No other new lenses until this 90 APO and that binds, although not as badly as the Summicrons. My favorite comparison is the Konica lenses of which I have had three in the last 3 years. I'm currently the proud owner of a 28mm Hexanon-M. Those lenses were all optically and mechanically perfect. Just incredibly high build quality that IMHO Leica should study and learn from.

The only three lenses in my possession are all M-Hexanons: 28mm f/2.8. 50mm f/2 and 90mm f/2.8. All bought new, all smooth and solid out of the box. Whether they'll get smoother-still (that being possible), time will tell, although they've all gotten a decent workout in the several years I've had them.

If all Leica lenses of a particular model show the same or similar characteristics, at least there's consistency, which would bring us to the question of whether or not Leica has a reason, good or bad, for building them thus. Perhaps there's a "break-in" period; if this is indeed the case it would be helpful if Solms made mention of this, at least in the name of putting purchasers at some ease after forking over a lot of cash for one of them.


- Barrett

 

[peter_n]

I agree with Don further up in the thread. It seems to be the more recently manufactured lenses where the quality is slipping. I have a number of Leica lenses that were built in the 70's and 80's and they are of the highest quality. It may be, as Stuart suggests, that sheer mechanical complexity is taxing the current QA practices of the company.

I'm not bashing Leica, I have three Ms and a number of their lenses, and touch wood the camera bodies have been great and the glass quality excellent, and I am definitely a fan. But, having said that I repeat that for the prices we are paying there are too many "known problems" with the more modern lenses. Vizioneer, you'll be pleased to know that a known problem with the 35 Lux ASPH is a loose aperture ring... 😉

 

[vizioneer]

Haha...well at least I don't have the loose aperture ring (yet!). I have a friend whose 50 lux pre-asph current has a very loose aperture ring. The focus on the 35 lux asph is interesting: if one holds the lens from the hood and focuses, it's buttery smooth, but if one holds the lens from the back portion of the barrel, I get the characteristic slight notchiness.

 

[dreamsandart]

Chrome 35 Summilux ASPH here also, if I'm just turning the focus ring for quick general focus its smooth, but there is some hesitation when fine focusing. Hoping this does even out with use as this is still a newish lens.

What bothers me more is the 'smooth-easy' to turn aperture ring (some may like the one finger ease to turn). I've found more than a few times after making an exposure that the aperture had been moved without my knowing.

Both these 'problems' I've not had with any of the Leitz lenses of the 50s/60s which in general just have a feeling of better quality no matter how much I hear about the Leica modern manufacturing techniques and quality control.

When you pay this much for a new lens you just expect it to be perfect in optics, design and function - not 'almost' right.