My M2 is spitting lenses

[sanmich]

Not really spitting (It's a well educated M2 😉)

But the lens lock button is so easy to press that I several times saved at the last second, lenses from taking the plunge.

It's becomming frightening..

Any solution?

 

[sanmich]

Are you mounting the lens completely on the camera. Even if I push my release, the lens won't come off. It still has to be rotated.

You are right at pointing at that.
Of course I do lock the lens.
But on this specific camera, the fit between the camera and the lens is a bit "too easy". It's not loose, but it require no effort to lock/unlock the lens.

So the solution could come from the button, or from the flange.
I have no idea what, but I have to tighten something...

 

[david.elliott]

You could put a cap over the button so that you dont press it so easily.

 

[Ken Shipman]

If any of my cameras had a problem that might cause a lens to fall to the concrete, that camera would be off to Leica or DAG or Sherry so fast...
Get it fixed properly. The cost of repairing or replacing dropped lenses is not a good alternative.

 

[lic4]

I agree with Ken, that doesn't sound right. My M2 button is very secure and so is the lens. I'd go crazy if I had the same problem - servicing sounds like a necessary action.

 

[semrich]

Michael, you may remember when we were out shooting together that I was encountering the same problem, as I was pulling my M2 out of my bag my Noctilux parted company from the camera and fortunately stayed in the bag.

The guy who fixed your camera while you were here said he could put a collar around the button or tighten it so to button would be harder for me to depress.

 

[pmu]

No biggie, you just need to get it adjusted. I had same problem with M6. The "pin" that locks the lens don't have enough tension and/or the pin don't go deep enough into that slot in the lens.

 

[Spyderman]

It might be as well the springs on the underside of the lens mount that press the lens towards the body have become worn or loose. replace or slightly bend, or get it repaired.

 

[Nikon Bob]

I had the same problem with my M4 when I first got it and luckily never damaged a lens because of it. I had a couple of scary moment though. The problem disappeared after a CLA. My guess was that dirt/old lub was causing the locking pin to not come up fully to lock the lens in place as no parts were replaced during the CLA. I would send it in to be fixed before you loose a lens to the problem.

Bob

 

[sanmich]

Thanks all for the answers.

Yes, the problem seems to happen when I first grab the camera out of the bag, or manipulate it.

The camera was CLA'd recently.

Ondrej, bending the springs seems an excellent idea.

Any idea how to do it myself?

 

[januaryman]

I wouldn't do that repair myself. Send it back to whoever did the CLA.

I second that sentiment. Why would you want to pay again for something that should have been done the first time as part of a decent CLA?

 

[Nikon Bob]

OK, if it had a CLA and started to do this after that then I would send it back to whomever did the CLA. They should put it right.

Bob

 

[sanmich]

sory, folks, my bad.

It was CLA'd three or four years ago.
What I meant is that the problem can't come from something being dirty.
I do think that each camera has its fit with lenses, and that this one has to have something slightly adjusted.
The problem is not happening very often. Just now and then, I press inadvertantly the button, and the lens stays in place but is in fact released.
Then it can come down a few minutes later.
I would really like to keep it a DIY thing if it's not too complicated...

Thanks for all the answers!

 

[furcafe]

I thing I don't like about the M2 is how Leitz dropped the collar that was originally around the lens release button. I must not be the only 1 as they did bring it back for later models. A tech can easily install a new 1.

The guy who fixed your camera while you were here said he could put a collar around the button . . .

 

[thomasw_]

If any of my cameras had a problem that might cause a lens to fall to the concrete, that camera would be off to Leica or DAG or Sherry so fast...
Get it fixed properly. The cost of repairing or replacing dropped lenses is not a good alternative.

A wise instinct.