focus stiffness on Planar

[froyd]

How smooth should the focus of a ZM planar be? Mine was quite stiff out of the box, but become progressively smoother with use. Still, it's not sear as smooth as some of my other lenses. I would like to be able to focus the lens using only the back of my index finger against the focusing nub, but right now, the only way I can focus is by grasping the focusing ring between thumb and index.

Am I expecting too much, or should properly lubed ZM lenses be smooth enough to be focused with one finger?

 

[user237428934]

Neither my Planar nor the Biogon can be focussed with just one finger. I don't think I want it so smooth.

 

[froyd]

Oh. I was hoping for the smooth action of Leica and CV lenses that feature focusing tabs and can be operated with one finger.

Does everyone else share Tom's same experience? Stiff focus on ZM lenses is well documented, but I've not found any description of how smooth they should be if properly lubricated.

 

[semilog]

Both of my little 35/2.8 ZM's settled out to perfectly-damped one-finger focusing. Both of my 21 ZM's (4.5 and 2.8) were a bit stiffer. I haven't had a Planar. Yet.

 

[Pioneer]

My little ZM Planar is very smooth. It is very well damped and does not move unless I move it, but it is verysimple to focus it with one finger. I don't remember it having been stiff when I first picked it up. Based on my admittedly limited memory, it has always had a very high quality feel.

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

I've got two ZM lenses and used to have a third, and none are/were nearly as smooth as my Leica Summicron 50 version IV

 

[redisburning]

mine works fine with 1 finger.

a bit heavy, but smooth enough.

 

[froyd]

Red, if you are referring to the finger in your avatar, I can see it is well exercised 😀

mine works fine with 1 finger.

a bit heavy, but smooth enough.

 

[user237428934]

mine works fine with 1 finger.

a bit heavy, but smooth enough.

Of course it's somehow possible to focus with one finger if you put more pressure on it, but mine are not as smooth as my Elmarit-M 28. I just think I have more control if I use 2 fingers.

 

[kossi008]

I never tought about this as I usually focus with two fingers.
For me, the Planar is actually the smoothest to focus, it got smoother over time. All my biogons were/are a bit stiffer.

 

[slava]

I had one copy of planar that had stiff focus. I sold it and bought new one whitch was much better.

 

[MCTuomey]

I've had 4 ZMs serviced. All came back focusing smoothly (one was a rebuild, others went in for focus or front ring slack/play). Out of the box, none of the 4 were right, but got better with use, then finally needed adjustment and relubing or actual repair. Once serviced, the focus rings were much better. Looking back I should have sent each one back as early as possible, taking advantage of the warranty, and also avoiding later more costly work from wear which, I believe, was caused by poor lubrication and/or poor innitial set-up.

Don't get me wrong, I like my Zeiss. Great lenses, not so great mechanics/lubrication/factory set-up. The ZMs I've owned that were right from the start were the c-biogon 35 and the 21 f/2.8 biogon.

My ideal RF lenses would have Zeiss aperture rings and Leica focus rings. Oh well.