50mm Summilux ASPH -- My take

It's not really a problem. When my 50 ASPH arrived in 2005 it was stiff to focus but smoothed out after about 50 rolls. Speaking as a retired machinist, this stiffness is a good thing because it indicates that the screw threads in the focusing helicoid are made with great precision. Not easy to do. An slr lens can be much looser because the eye or the sensor just moves the lens around till focus is right. With a rangefinder camera, both camera and lens must be very precise and focus to a calculated standard. Looseness in a rangefinder lens will kill accuracy of focus. If desired, I think DAG or Sherry can replace the lube in the lens with something that might help. Hang in there, it's a great lens. Joe
 
The focusing action of my lens does not feel dry or jerky, but I can notice a small change in focusing ring turning resistance when entering the closer focusing distances - presumably that's the floating element movement kicking in - this is not enough to matter in use.
 
The 50 ASPH is pretty much perfect

The 50 ASPH is pretty much perfect

It really is a "perfect" 50 with no flaws I can see. I have been dying to give the PRE-ASPH a try though and even thought of selling or trading my ASPH out to obtain one. Every time I do, I end up changing my mind!

Great lens.
 
Livesteamer said:
It's not really a problem. When my 50 ASPH arrived in 2005 it was stiff to focus but smoothed out after about 50 rolls. Speaking as a retired machinist, this stiffness is a good thing because it indicates that the screw threads in the focusing helicoid are made with great precision. Not easy to do.
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I remember a similar post by you in the thread I started regarding the 50 'lux Asph's focusing.

It's not stiffness I complain about, it's the dryness or stickiness (as it were) of the feel. It takes more pressure to get the lens turning than to keep it turning. It feels like the focusing ring must not only be turned but unstuck from its position as well.

Often when making fine adjustments I overshoot the mark and have to correct the other way.

Is that how your lens felt before it smoothened out?

Livesteamer said:
If desired, I think DAG or Sherry can replace the lube in the lens with something that might help.
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When I sent my lens in to be re-lubed it was forwarded to Leica NJ. Only Leicas NJ, UK and Solms have the machine capable of columnating that lens properly.

Livesteamer said:
Hang in there, it's a great lens. Joe
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Thanks for the assurance. I intend to. I'd keep it simply for its incomparable signature.
 
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sleepyhead said:
Nicepic!

I didn't realise that Kodachrome 25 was still available or that you could get it processed. Sounds like an interesting combo with the Summilux ASPH. I guess you won't have much exposure latitude.
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Kodachrome 25 has not been made since 2002, I have a large stock of it frozen that I use. You can get Kodachrome film processed at Dwayne's Photo in the U.S. the one remaining lab and they do a great job, turn it around fast. Not having much exposure latitude lends to more powerful results in shooting slide film, I prefer it that way.

For more information, click on the link in my signature...
 
In my opinion, the 50mm Summilux ASPH is the last 50 anyone should ever need to get. Since getting it, I bought two more 50's just to confirm this! It is just a stellar lens, just perfect in almost every way but I must admit that it isn't my favourite. The 24mm Elmarit-ASPH is the lens that really does it for me even though I don't use it as much as the 50mm Summilux ASPH.

My 50 Summilux ASPH is a very recent one. I have no mechanical issues with it yet. I never ran into any stickiness or stiffness in the focusing ring.
 
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The stickiness is annoying but it should fade away. My 50 ASPH is 4 years old now and has smoothed out. Originally it was stiff especially at close focus. It has probably done about 300 rolls. What I don't understand is that my Summilux 35 ASPH was never stiff and my my 28 Summicron very smooth. If it doesn't smooth out before the warranty expires send it back. For the price paid, such a lens should have NO issues. Joe
 
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