jfujita
Established
Hi, I have a chrome 35mm summilux asph that has a stiff and grippy focus ring. For example: to rotate the focus ring "I had to exert a tiny amount of extra push to get it started, which always landed me a little further on the distance scale than I really wanted" (in the words of another RF'er with what sounds like a similar problem)
The lens becomes grippy at close focus (between closest focus and about 3 feet)
I find this incredibly irritating as I own a chrome 35mm summicron version IV that has an action that is simply buttery... I mean I don't focus that lens I merely suggest where to focus with my finger and the focus ring glides into place.
A gentle rocking (back and forth) action on the focus ring for fine-focus is possible on the summicron whereas on the summilux it would be impossible near the close focus area because of the grippy problem.
I have since had both lenses sent to Sherry Krauter for CLA with an explicit Helicoid relubrication executed on the Summilux.
The summicron is still buttery smooth but the Summilux has pretty much the same irritating grippy focusing action.
I can see that the lube has been replaced as it as the old lube was dry and black and the new lube looks thick and clear (think vaseline).
I'm wondering if this is a known issue. I know this lens in chrome has a lot of mass to move when focusing (415 grams versus 320 grams in black). Perhaps the mechanical stress of that extra weight is causing this issue. Maybe thats why they discontinued this chrome version... I've also heard that this issue may be caused by Leica's new teflon-based lubricants. I've heard that DAG addresses this problem by using a different type of lubricant. I've also read that a break-in period may alleviate some of the grippyness but I'm not holding my breath. This lens was made around 1995 so its past its break-in period.
Anyhow if anybody has experienced this issue and has successfully rectified it I would greatly appreciate his/her input regarding this.
The lens becomes grippy at close focus (between closest focus and about 3 feet)
I find this incredibly irritating as I own a chrome 35mm summicron version IV that has an action that is simply buttery... I mean I don't focus that lens I merely suggest where to focus with my finger and the focus ring glides into place.
A gentle rocking (back and forth) action on the focus ring for fine-focus is possible on the summicron whereas on the summilux it would be impossible near the close focus area because of the grippy problem.
I have since had both lenses sent to Sherry Krauter for CLA with an explicit Helicoid relubrication executed on the Summilux.
The summicron is still buttery smooth but the Summilux has pretty much the same irritating grippy focusing action.
I can see that the lube has been replaced as it as the old lube was dry and black and the new lube looks thick and clear (think vaseline).
I'm wondering if this is a known issue. I know this lens in chrome has a lot of mass to move when focusing (415 grams versus 320 grams in black). Perhaps the mechanical stress of that extra weight is causing this issue. Maybe thats why they discontinued this chrome version... I've also heard that this issue may be caused by Leica's new teflon-based lubricants. I've heard that DAG addresses this problem by using a different type of lubricant. I've also read that a break-in period may alleviate some of the grippyness but I'm not holding my breath. This lens was made around 1995 so its past its break-in period.
Anyhow if anybody has experienced this issue and has successfully rectified it I would greatly appreciate his/her input regarding this.
