Major issue with Summicron 90

[manojd]

This just started happening when I tried to use my 90mm cron on the rd1: I observed that the rangefinder patch was getting locked/stuck at various locations. When I removed the lense and looked at the RF wheel that couples with the lens, I saw metalic brass particles of the lens coupler. On close inspection, it seems as if the coupler is riding on top of the RF wheel not in front of it. I hope you understand what I am trying to explain.

In essence, the lens coupler diameter is slightly larger and it is not in alignment with the rd1 focus wheel. This is not happening with any other lens that I have.

Is there a solution to this problem? Or do I have a bad cron? Or a defective rd1?

Please advice.

 

[ferider]

You must be talking of Summicron v1 or v2.

Check the RF cam of the lens. It might be loose which can be fixed by tightening the two screws that attach it to the barrel.

If the cam is tightly fixed to the lens barrel, it is more likely a problem with
your camera - the RF coupler arm is bent. I would not recommend a DIY
fix for this.

Sorry,

Roland.

 

[manojd]

Roland, Thanks.

Nothing seems to be loose in the lens. One more thing I noticed is that the RF cam is not a smooth plane, but has a gradient to it and a clear step at one point. Is this normal for this lens?

 

[ferider]

Roland, Thanks.

Nothing seems to be loose in the lens. One more thing I noticed is that the RF cam is not a smooth plane, but has a gradient to it and a clear step at one point. Is this normal for this lens?

No. Sounds like somebody filed it 🙁 Can you show a photo ?

 

[mani]

Hi Manojd

I'm having what sounds like EXACTLY the same problem with my Summicron 90/2 and the R-D1s. When I first tried it, I also had a nasty 'scraping' feeling when attempting to focus - and then when dismounting the lens I also saw that some tiny amounts of metal had been pared away (from the lens mount?) Trying one more time with the lens I found that there was effectively no focussing, at all - the rangefinder patch just jumped around when I turned the focussing ring.

No problem with any of my other lenses so far, so I assume there is something specific about this lens on the R-D1s - works perfectly on the M6 and 7, so I don't think anything needs tightening.

 

[RichC]

See the end of my R-D1 "problematic lenses page:

http://www.richcutler.co.uk/r-d1/r-d1_11.htm

 

[mani]

Thx Rich!
I've been a frequent visitor to your truly excellent site since getting the R-D1s - beautifully designed and brilliantly informative throughout! - and I looked at that page when I had this problem, but didn't associate my Summicron 90 problem with it because it wasn't directly on the list.

I guess I'll have to hunt around for something like an Elmarit if I want a 90 on the Epson, but then of course I'll be losing some of the dof effects that I love so much from the Summicron...