Stiff Focusing Ring on New Summicron 35 Asph

[xcortes]

I've had this lens for a few months (I purchased it new) and have used it for maybe 20 rolls. The focusing ring is stiff on one end. I've not hit the lens or anything like that. Do these lenses need some kind of break in? Is this normal?

Thanks!

 

[peter_n]

Welcome to the forum xcortes! 🙂 The common wisdom is to "work it back and forth and it will loosen up". I've bought a small number of new ASPH lenses the last couple of years and there was something wrong with every one except for one. I've had this problem with more than one lens and sent the first one back to the dealer whose tech fixed it (sort of). The second one was replaced at my request. Leica QC has not been good recently, your lens is warrantied I would send it back and explain that for the price you paid for the lens a smooth focusing ring is a reasonable expectation which is not being met.

 

[Livesteamer]

There is nothing wrong with your lens. It will loosen up. The stiffness is a sign of great accuracy in forming and mating the threads of the focusing helicoid. I've got five ASPH lenses and most of them were stiff at first but loosened up after a while. I spent 23 years as a machinist and I know it takes great accuracy to make multiple lead threads this well. If it has not loosened up by the end of the warranty, send it back. Joe