Sticky focus 50mm Summicron on an M6

[Tim Walker]

I just purchased a used M6 (classic) and a 50mm Summicron 2.0 (newest version). The focus seems really stiff and even a little 'sticky' on the close focus end.

The lens supposedly wasn't used much for the past 18 months since it was bought. Is this stiffness/stickiness just a symptom of being in storage or should I be concerned?

Otherwise, it's clean as a whistle. I can't find a mark on it and the threads that I can see are clean.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[kevino]

Tim,

I have a current 50mm Summicron that I bought new a few years ago. While I wouldn't call the focus stiff - it is definitely a little more firm than my other lenses. Perhaps the sticky part will loosen up a bit with use.

Kevin

 

[DerekF]

Tim,

I have the same lens as you do. The focusing is smooth (not stiff, but not "uncomfortably" loose either) with no "stiction" to speak of.

 

[mefly2]

Tim,

I have the same lens as you do. The focusing is smooth (not stiff, but not "uncomfortably" loose either) with no "stiction" to speak of.

The same here; not to worry. Just shoot it to death !! 🙄

 

[Ben Z]

The one I had flared (which my 1969 doesn't), the hood was forever retracting itself (and when it was fully extended, barely poked out past the filter), and performance-wise wasn't any better than the '69, but the focus was smooth and silky. I've noticed that there's a great deal of variance in the smoothness/stiffness of focus and apertures in Leica lenses made from about the end of the 1970s on.

 

[x-ray]

My late tabbed summicron has a sticky spot at about 3ft. I bought it used about twelve years ago and is near mint but it's always had a spot where it tightens up then when you get past it it's OK again. it's not bad but annoying. I thought about sending it to Leica to get it checked but just haven't done it.

 

[Tim Walker]

Thanks

Thanks

Thanks to everyone for your replies on this. I have found mine to be uncomfortably sticky on the close focus end and will likely send it in for maintenance, but otherwise I love the lens.

 

[kevino]

I'm sorry to hear about that Tim. Please let us know how the repair turns out.