Just bought a 50lux asph

[gunston]

hi forum,
just bought a mint copy of chrome Leica 50mm lux asph.
it is hefty and heavy, like it
however, the focus doesn't seems smooth when i mount onto my M8.2
can feel a bit of jerk when focusing with focus tab.

is it normal? or possible grease dry up.. since the previous owner don't use it much.

 

[oltimer]

I have the 35 in that lens, and it is smooth as butter. You probably just answered your own question, and may need a cla.

 

[x-ray]

I've had two of the (0's. With the first one I could feel the mechanism that moves the floating element. I could feel it engage as I focused. My second one was smoother and I coukdnt feel the transition.

I wouldn't say focus was rough but there was a noticae change in feel as I focused. i bought the first lens used but it was like new and the second was new. Most of my shooting was closer than infinity and in time I discovered the first one did not focus properly at infinity. I had six M bodies at the time and it was consistent on all of them. I sent it to DAG and Don said the mount was improperly made and would have to be replaced. This could have had something to do with the feel during focusing.

 

[seakayaker1]

I have a 50 Lux ASPH and the focus is smooth. I have not owned a Leica lenses that did not have a smooth focus. From my experience I would say that it is not normal.

I would either return the lenses if possible or ask the seller to contribute the CLA.

 

[KM-25]

I have the same lens and the focus is very smooth. I bought it new about a year ago and it was a bit stiff which is due to the grade of grease that Leica uses. I sent it in to DAG and he put in better grease and it is super smooth but not loose.

Return it and buy mine, it is near mint, very smooth and has two years left on the passport warranty which I will honor, just listed it...🙂

 

[FrozenInTime]

hi forum,
just bought a mint copy of chrome Leica 50mm lux asph.
it is hefty and heavy, like it
however, the focus doesn't seems smooth when i mount onto my M8.2
can feel a bit of jerk when focusing with focus tab.

is it normal? or possible grease dry up.. since the previous owner don't use it much.

I just paid $400 and waited 4 months to have leica fix mine - it had developed focus stiction and a bit of a wobble.

 

[gunston]

I just paid $400 and waited 4 months to have leica fix mine - it had developed focus stiction and a bit of a wobble.

yes, it is something like wobbly when you move around the focus tab and stiff while focusing in action.
4 months? that's not a ideal turnaround time.

 

[MCTuomey]

sounds like it needs some help. if u have no recourse to seller, I'd contact sherry krauter or don Goldberg rather than Leica.

 

[gunston]

sounds like it needs some help. if u have no recourse to seller, I'd contact sherry krauter or don Goldberg rather than Leica.

better recommendation and shorter turnaround time?
i live in Singapore, not sure how fast it would take.
which is most recommended one , sherry krauter or don Goldberg?

 

[KM-25]

better recommendation and shorter turnaround time?
i live in Singapore, not sure how fast it would take.
which is most recommended one , sherry krauter or don Goldberg?

Both are good and so is Youxin Ye, I have used all three of them for various things but seem to have used Don more than anyone.

If you are going to go through the trouble of that...it might be worth it to also send in the camera you intend to use with the lens the most to assure total calibration.
That is what I did and it makes a world of difference with fast lenses 50mm and longer where RF to lens calibration is *critical* to get the most out of that legendary sharpness wide open.

 

[FrozenInTime]

It needed more than a grease repack. I was told Leica replaced the helicoid.

It certainly feels better; I can no longer detect the FLE transition.

 

[gunston]

It needed more than a grease repack. I was told Leica replaced the helicoid.

It certainly feels better; I can no longer detect the FLE transition.

Probably mine need helicoid replacement as well for it wobbly

 

[Kwesi]

Youxin Ye gets my vote. I would either call or email him first and describe the problem. I have worked with him a few times now and he is very fast, honest and knows his stuff.
DAG has a stellar reputation but he simply takes too long to fix things. My uncle has been waiting 6 months now for a CLA on an M2.
All in all the 50 lux asph is a superb lens. is there a local reputable Leica repair place that can turn this around for you quickly?

 

[mememarathon]

Gunston, I see that you live in Singapore - have you tried looking Stephen from The Camera Hospital up? He's a stand up guy and have been in the business for over 30 years. I sent in my ZM 25/2,8 to fix the wobble and have it CLA'ed, got it back within the week.

 

[gunston]

Gunston, I see that you live in Singapore - have you tried looking Stephen from The Camera Hospital up? He's a stand up guy and have been in the business for over 30 years. I sent in my ZM 25/2,8 to fix the wobble and have it CLA'ed, got it back within the week.

How about Leica lens?
anyone experience servie in Camera Hospital?

 

[bobby_novatron]

I bought a Lux 50 a short time ago here on RFF from another member. The focus on it feels "heavy", like more effort is needed to turn the ring than I'm used to. It doesn't bother me that much, I think it's part of the character of these lenses. Perhaps a CLA would help -- but I think I'll wait a couple years before I go down that road. For now, the fantastic IQ keeps me reaching for the Lux 50, despite its quirks (heaviness, focus resistance).