50/2 Heliar with some play. Is this normal?

[ocean7]

Good morning everyone,

I just received my first VC lens from Camera Quest : the Heliar 50/2. Looking very good but when extented and locked there is still some play in the barrel. Is this normal? The barrel wobbles even more when not locked.

Sorry for the newbie question but this is my first collapsible so I don't know what to expect.

Thanks for your thoughts.

Philippe.

 

[kully]

Mine wobbles a bit (and more when it is not locked).

My summitar and coll. summicron also wobble.

How much wobble are we talking about?

 

[ocean7]

Mine wobbles a bit (and more when it is not locked).

My summitar and coll. summicron also wobble.

How much wobble are we talking about?

Thanks Kully. It's hard to quantify but let's say when locked I can move the barrel sideways about 1mm on each side, measured at the front of the lens.

I just noticed now that there are some nicks on the body of the lens showing some brass 😡 The lens came with no hood and no box neither, just a ziplock. There must have been a misunderstanding here I might just have to contact Stephen and send the lens back...

 

[kully]

Yup, I'd send it back - nicks don't sound too good, mine has been chucked about with my keys / other lenses &c. since the Spring and is still fine.

 

[Didier]

Likely not an issue. If it wobbles really much and is new, you may send it back.

Couldn't say my collapsible Summicron is wobbling, but it makes a very small "noc noc" when moved right and leftward. Beside this, I have several lenses with the front part slightly movable and also making a tiny noise. The 40 Nokton I owned used to, the 28 Color Skopar has recently begun (since I used a bit much force to unscrew the hood), the 15 Heliar does a little bit. Haven't noticed any influence on picture quality so far. The CV 21, the Canon 50/1.2 and the Summiluxes are tight, so the russians, too.

Didier

 

[mackigator]

I have a 50/2 Heliar bought from Cameraquest last year; it started our fairly stiff when extended and locked but quickly loosened to the point where it has some play. It seems unaffected and has not gotten worse - though I am careful to avoid stressing the extended barrel after noticing the play. I think that all these lenses were originally separated from the special edition kits and the packaging / lack thereof is because of this. Mine came with hood in a zip lock, no nicks.

 

[Iggy]

I bought a 50 f2 Heliar from Cameraquest recently too and I'm very happy with the service and product received. No such play as you describe as yet. The focus ring is a little stiff but I'd expect that with a newish lens. The only problem I have is the annoying lens cap, which is hardly a problem at all really.

 

[BigSteveG]

Wish I would've put mine up for sale here....

Wish I would've put mine up for sale here....

instead of trading for credit at the camera show. Seems like everyone's buying them now. A little play is no big deal. Anyhoo....the lens doesn't come in a box because it's split from the camera...they come as a set!! Mine didn't even come w/ a rear cap. If you paid for a new lens, it should not have nicks. It is a fun little lens though.

 

[photophorous]

After 5 months, mine has a very slight amount of play, but nothing I would worry about at all. It also came in a zip lock, but it included a hood and had no cosmetic blemishes. It sounds like yours is wobbling more than I would be comfortable with and considering the blemishes, I would return it. Overall, I've been very impressed with the build quality of my sample and the service from Stephen, so if I was you, I'd ask for an exchange.

Paul

 

[Photog9001]

mine did wobble a little (assuming it's fixed ) and i sent it back. i used to have the old heliar (3.5) which was as tight as a rigid when locked, so i thought it had to be a defect, considering i bought it new. will go pick it up at the post office tomorrow,... hope it got better... ,-)

otoh, i doubt it had any effect on image quality. it did reduce the "feel" factor though..

 

[BigSteveG]

MacAulay....

MacAulay....

No, unfortunatley....I've been craving some worship!!!

 

[mdspace]

I bought mine 1 month ago from Camaraquest. I haven't any kind of problems, I just love this lens.
I also received it in a plastic zip lock bag, but in perfect package conditions, with the hood, front cap and mount cap.
Stephen is a serious seller for me.