Canon LTM 1.4--focus ring wiggle?

[jojoman2]

Does your canon 1.4 ltm have a bit of play in the focus ring? I just bought one and it wiggles a bit. I'm not used to that having used mostly Zeiss glass until now. I'm trying to decide whether to send it back, paid a pretty penny for it.

Thanks,

Jon

 

[Fixcinater]

Is it forward/aft play or is it side to side in the direction of focusing rotation?

 

[bhop73]

Mine doesn't wiggle at all. It's pretty solid actually. I did have it cla'd a couple years ago, but even before it was pretty solid.

 

[ferider]

I just fixed a wiggle on mine:

- remove the rear span ring
- pull out the optics of the focus helical
- you'll see 4 screws used to attach the black focus ring to the helical. Tighten those.
- re-assemble.

Roland.

 

[gbealnz]

Jon.
Without wanting to hijack your thread, seeing the reply from Roland makes me ask, "what about a quite stiff aperture ring"?

I have the Canon 50 F1.4 LTM, and a very nice lens. Mine has an aperture ring that is quite stiff to turn/rotate (I'd actually say too tight).

Any ideas? Can I get inside as you suggest and slightly loosen this?
Any gotchas if I do? Springs etc springing out unexpectedly?

Focus is snug, again possibly slightly stiff, but it's the aperture that bugs me a bit.
Gary

 

[ferider]

Hi Gary,

there are several resources on the web that show how to disassemble the Canon 50/1.4 LTM, for instance https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qMRnqIysGAk.

I've cleaned maybe half a dozen, it's not difficult with the right tools, most important a spanner wrench.

In your case, take the optics out by removing the rear span ring. You will then see how the aperture functions. There is a small bracket with a ball bearing that causes the aperture to click. You might just want to loosen this a bit (bend with flat screw driver). Do not loose the ball bearing, it's tiny. If you decide to lube the mechanism, use a dry lube like graphite. Any fluid will end up on the aperture blades.

Good luck,

Roland.

 

[gbealnz]

Thank you Roland. I did view the youtube vid, well one of them, it finished prematurely though.

I'll have a careful look. It works as is, so I am loathed to tinker, but it is a tad tight.
Advice appreciated.
Gary

 

[jojoman2]

I ended up sending it back, free of charge, and instead buying a nice zeiss ZM.

Thanks everyone!