CLA for CV Lenses

[Quinn Porter]

I've got five CV lenses and think they are great performers. However, my one complaint about CV lenses is that the focusing action is very stiff when the lenses are new. I'm sure others haven't had this problem, but this has been the case for each of my CV lenses. The lenses loosen up over time, but it can take a while. None of my CV lenses have ever gotten to the point where the focus action feels as good as my Leica lenses.

For those of you who have had a CLA performed on a CV lens, has it helped to improve the focus action? Specifically, has anyone sent in a relatively new lens with a stiff focus action and received it back with a buttery smooth focus action?

Thanks

 

[JayC]

My 50/nokton just developed a bug where the focus ring jumps around making it bothersome to get to a specific distance on the markings. I would, too, would like to know how they come back from a CLA plus where to send it and how much it costs.
Can it just be dropped off at local camera shops that do repairs?

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

AskStephen Gandy, he repairs the CV cameras. I'm sure his people can work on the lenses too. I'm notsure they can do much for the problem you're asking about since the point of CLA-ing something is to make it work like new, and you don't like them they way they come new!

 

[ElrodCod]

My 50/nokton just developed a bug where the focus ring jumps around making it bothersome to get to a specific distance on the markings. I would, too, would like to know how they come back from a CLA plus where to send it and how much it costs.
Can it just be dropped off at local camera shops that do repairs?

I've been wondering the same thing. I have a 75 heliar that has a sloppy focus ring. It's enough to make setting the hyperfocal distance unreliabe.

 

[Al Kaplan]

Aluminum helicals will never be as silky smooth as brass. They seem to use grease with a penchant for losing its slipperiness. They've designed and marketed some lenses no one else attempted. The optics are fantastic, the price makes it possible to own lenses you otherwise couldn't afford.

The lenses are sealed units mounted in the helical. Here's what I did with my 15mm. Holding the lens front side up I put a tiny bit of lighter fluid under the focusing ring and worked it back and forth. I repeated this 5 or 6 times before the fluid mixed with the grease and loosened it up. Since the lighter fluid would evaporate and I'd be back to square one I then started to add a few drops of penetrating oil (I used Marvel) as I continued to move the focussing ring back and forth. That day from time to time I'd give it a few more twists. Since then it's been silky smooth.

A sloppy ring that won't stay in place would be a different problem entirely.