4th gen 35 summicron problem

HAnkg

HAnkg

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Sep 5, 2006
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Just got a 4th gen 35 summicron. Fired off a couple of test shots and was horrified to find everything totally out of focus. After inspecting the lens I realized that in removing the lens cap which was very tight the front ring/lens element of the lens including the aperture ring turned to the left. I turned the front section so the aperture mark was centered and now the shots look OK.

I have owned a couple of Leica 35's including this model in the past and I never had a front lens section that could be easily turned left and right, how much do you think servicing it so it's fixed in the right spot would cost?
 
Sherry said the front part of that lens (and other newer lenses) the threads are glued in place, where older lenses had a little grubb screw tapped sideways into the threads to hold it in place. The 4th Summicron tends to come loose more than others because it's such a short lens many people grasp it by the hood to dismount it. It can be easily (and not terribly expensive) glued back by one of the repair gurus, after that just remember to hold it by the milled ring closest to the body when you remove it or attach it.
 
Ben, thanks for the info. I'm returning the lens to the seller as it was not in the condition described. But it is useful to know for the future.
 
Mine had the same problem and I took it apart and tightened the lens group retaining ring with a spanner. I think the "glue" is used to keep that ring from breaking loose, but evidently that doesn't always work.
 
That fault is common with this lens and one of the reasons why I question the high prices they go for. The 300 dollar 40's never have this trouble.
 
kevin m said:
Mine had the same problem and I took it apart and tightened the lens group retaining ring with a spanner. I think the "glue" is used to keep that ring from breaking loose, but evidently that doesn't always work.
Click to expand...

Can you please explain how to do it?
 
Too bad that the "Bokeh King" is poorly constructed in this regard. I resold mine when I learned of this defect a couple of years ago. There is something to be said for using the older lenses, made in a time when things were made like they used to be. My eight element Summicron has never fallen apart!
 
It's really a sad they didn't make that part out of metal, and the prices for them now is just crazy, it's better
to get an early one like the first 3 versions they made them better.
 
Despite is frailties the V4 is still my favourite lens ever and I've had a good few Leica 35s - the perfect balance of size and performance, great with colour film and black and white.
 
Range-rover said:
It's really a sad they didn't make that part out of metal, and the prices for them now is just crazy, it's better
to get an early one like the first 3 versions they made them better.
Click to expand...

After selling my V4 I picked up an ASPH to replace it. It has no problems with build quality that I'm aware of.
 
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