Sticky focus at first, fine later

[DerekF]

I recently purchased a new Summicron 75 f/2 ASPH and have noticed something odd about mine.

If I leave it sitting "for a while" with the 75 at infinity (e.g., while it's in my bag), then I take it out and try to turn the focus ring, it sticks for a bit at infinity while I turn it, but then subsequently after another turn or two (even before the first complete rotation is through), there's no more "stickage". Sometimes it'll tighten up a bit during use, but nothing so bad. I don't mind it too much, but it does cause me to wonder whether I should be returning it for servicing or even an outright replacement.

Thanks for your thoughts!

 

[back alley]

i'd ask for a replacement or at the least a service.

it may not be too bad now - but if this is new - a more serious problem might later erupt.

joe

 

[retrocam]

Have it checked by the Leica Specialist in your area, if there's any. There are Leica Days held in several dealers, see if there's held one near your place for a quick check. Or, request a service or replacement.

-annie

 

[peter_n]

Derek over the last couple of years over on photo.net there have been a few threads about sticky ASPH lenses of varying focal lengths, mostly 50 and 90 as I recall. You might want to do a search over there to see if someone had a problem similar to yours. I recently bought an APO Summicron 90 ASPH from Popflash and when it arrived is was really sticky. I did write to Tony Rose about it and he asked me to send it back so that his Leica tech could take a look at it, but I held on to it and "exercised" the lens a bit while I was watching the telly.

It has loosened up considerably and now only feels a bit sticky on the camera and rotates just fine in my hands. I am planning on keeping it. 🙂 One theme from those posts over on PN was that the mechanics of an ASPH lens are often more complex than a regular lens and independant techs might not have the proper equipment to adjust them. I have no idea whether that is true or not, but you might want to at least consider returning it to Leica for an inspection.

 

[Fred]

My 90 ASHP and 50 ASPH both exhibit this when I initially use them after a period of 'rest' (I know I know I should be using them all the time but my spare time is limited).

A little exercise as Peter said is all thats needed. I don't find it a problem in use but was initially concerned when I got them. I got them used. I bought the complete kit off the estate of a very good freind who passed away last year. I guess I'm lucky that they still have a year left on the passport (ownership transferred through Leica UK) so if things get bad Leica will sort it out anyway.

If your very concerned I'd write to the company and see what they have to say.

I guess I should think about selling my CV 35 and 90 lenses, unless I get that IIIc I've been looking at.

 

[DerekF]

Thanks to all for your insight!

I guess I wouldn't be so concerned about this if it was consistently "sticky," but after a couple of rotations, the focus ring flows pretty smoothly (albeit not as smoothly as my other Summicrons which I can only describe as buttery smooth). The only thing that's consistent about it is that it happens all the time, at exactly the same spot on the focusing ring, and is almost 100% reproducible. I also don't want to make a big deal out of it, but if there's any cause for concern, I'd like to know about it. I've already contacted the seller and will see what can be done about it. It was a grey market purchase, so sending it to Leica will cost me $$$ on top of what I've already spent on it. 🙁

Incidentally, minutes after I posted my original message last night, I picked up my 75 again and turned the focus ring -- again, it stuck and became very hard to turn at a certain point (not at infinity this time.. hmmm), but a little extra pressure "forced" it to budge and it became smooth again.

On the 75, you can clearly see the screw threads inside the lens barrel and I cannot see any sort of blockage or "gunkage", so I guess whatever's causing this is further inside the lens itself. I have to admit I'm chicken about trying to apply any sort of lubrication myself since this is a new lens with the chance of being returned/repaired/replaced.

I also don't know of any Leica techs in Montreal. For anyone else here (does Marc J still frequent these forums?), Simons used to be a good family-run camera store, but they have gone almost completely digital in recent years.

 

[DerekF]

Just as a followup to this, I emailed the seller and... wow. What an exchange! :bang:

To make a long story short, he got belligerent pretty fast and has offered either a take-it-or-leave-it replacement (even though he advertises a one-year international warranty on his goods) or a full refund minus shipping costs. I suppose I could live with the focusing mechanism as it is, but I feel like I should return it just in principle even if there is nothing actually wrong with the lens. I like it lots, but paying shipping three ways (once to ship it to me, then back, then once more for the replacement) will pretty much offset the savings I made by buying through this individual. I think a CLA could do the trick and would possibly be cheaper than getting a replacement from him, but I almost feel like I should just eat my losses and return the lens. 🙁

Any suggestions?

 

[back alley]

if this is a recognized dealer i would go for a refund and then contact leitz and complain about the service. and then give tony at popflash a call.
that guy knows about service.
joe

 

[ch1]

Unfortunately, this sounds like it is gray market at best - and, even worse, could even be someone who is knowingly dealing in defective or damaged "returns". If that's the case - you only have hard choices. Bit of it's a legit dealer with a 'tude problem - a call to Leitz should set him straight. Good luck.

 

[DerekF]

if this is a recognized dealer i would go for a refund and then contact leitz and complain about the service. and then give tony at popflash a call.
that guy knows about service.
joe

Totally grey market, but I had heard decent things about the guy so I decided to take a risk with him and the price was really good. I actually bought my MP and Summicron from Tony last summer, so I can totally vouch for him, too.

Decisions, decisions... Argh.

 

[peter_n]

Derek I sympathize but I think I would ask for a replacement and ask for it to be checked before it leaves the seller. It sounds like you won't be happy with this one...

 

[Fred]

Wow!

When I thought you meant sticky, what I thought was 'not totally smooth at close focus' If you need to use any force to focus that is not good and certainly not what I have observed with my lenses. I guess a CLA would be the piece of mind cure. What ever you do don't stuff any old gunk in it to free it. That 75 is a stellar lens. Good luck.

 

[drjon]

I recently purchased a new Summicron 75 f/2 ASPH and have noticed something odd about mine.

If I leave it sitting "for a while" with the 75 at infinity (e.g., while it's in my bag), then I take it out and try to turn the focus ring, it sticks for a bit at infinity while I turn it, but then subsequently after another turn or two (even before the first complete rotation is through), there's no more "stickage". Sometimes it'll tighten up a bit during use, but nothing so bad. I don't mind it too much, but it does cause me to wonder whether I should be returning it for servicing or even an outright replacement.

Thanks for your thoughts!

Snap; I just bought this same lens in the Far East and am experiencing exactly the same problem you describe above and in your later post to this thread. The dealer is getting another one to see if that is the same. The one I have though is incredibly sharp and I I am releuctant to swap it or send it back for service unecessarily. I wonder if it is sticky because it has been in the shop for a while. What happended with your lens in the end - did you have it serviced? Thanks for any advice on this.