Tools for fixing wobble

[sixwingangel]

I am a happy user of Sonnar 50. I replaced a current version summicron 50 with the Sonnar, no regret and never look back. In my opinion, Sonnar is the most charming lens among currently made 50s😉

However, unfortunately, my lovely Sonnar has also developed the notorius ZM wobble🙁 Images are not affected by the wobble, but it is becoming more and more annoying. I have tried to tighten the retaining ring with a small slotted screwdriver, but the retaining ring was solid and I couldn't screw it even a bit.

I am thinking that maybe I get the wrong tool. Could anyone recommend the right tools for fixing the wobble? Or is it that the wobble of my Sonnar may be caused by some other reasons? I've heard that grease may also be the cause of wobble. Is there any good place to go to get my Sonnar repaired in NYC?

Hope you guys can help me with my problem, thanks.🙂

 

[ferider]

For the 35 Ultron and 50 Nokton, made in the same factory, with similar wobble, you have to disassemble the lens from the front and tighten (and locktite) some screws inside.

Roland.

 

[sixwingangel]

For the 35 Ultron and 50 Nokton, made in the same factory, with similar wobble, you have to disassemble the lens from the front and tighten (and locktite) some screws inside.

Roland.

I've seen that many ZM users on this forum fixed the wobble simply by tightening the retaining rings in the back, hope that's my case. If my lens needs to be disassembled, that will be too difficult for me, then I have to hand the job to pros....

Thanks for your information🙂!

 

[mirrored]

What is meaned when speaking wobble? I have loose (free move) in focusing ring. Look here more.

 

[sixwingangel]

🙂

What is meaned when speaking wobble? I have loose (free move) in focusing ring. Look here more.

My situation is that when mounted on the camera, the focusing ring and the mount are solid, it is the barrel that wobbles. When I move the camera in fast motion, I can feel the wobble of the barrel. More like the case TomA decsribed in the thread you provided. I have tried to tighten the retaining ring in the back by pushing against it with my tiny slotted screwdriver, but I couldn't move it even a bit, it remained solid. So I am guessing that maybe I get the wrong tool, or the wobble of my lens is caused by some other reasons.

Seems to me that my situation may be a little bit different from yours, wish both of us can solve our problems soon!🙂

 

[Nigel Meaby]

My 35 Biogon has the same wobble as yours sixwingangel. Like you say doesn't affect images but it's always there!

 

[sixwingangel]

My 35 Biogon has the same wobble as yours sixwingangel. Like you say doesn't affect images but it's always there!

Yeah,that's right🙂
I always think of "wobble" as some kind of price or tradeoff I have to pay for the excellent Zeiss optics and lovely Zeiss looks. Much more acceptable and reasonable than the price I have to pay for the Leicas...

 

[Noserider]

Don't bypass the 'correct' fix and that is send it off to Zeiss, their warranty and repair is excellent, when my Planar was taking a while they sent a Sonnar to tide me over and as a 'product testing'. Great service.

 

[sixwingangel]

Don't bypass the 'correct' fix and that is send it off to Zeiss, their warranty and repair is excellent, when my Planar was taking a while they sent a Sonnar to tide me over and as a 'product testing'. Great service.

Thanks for the advice🙂

I've contacted Zeiss and asked about the wobble question, they want me to send it back for repair. Unfortunately, I bought this lens in Taiwan and I am now studying in NYC, and I did not bring the warranty card with me. By the time I can go back to Taiwan, my warranty will be expired. The situation is somewhat complicated.

I guess I'll just live with it and get it fixed when it really becomes a problem or look for some local repairmen in NYC. I've searched the internet, Nippon Photo Clinic sounds like a good place to go. One of the RFF member dropped his IKON and Nippon help him with the alignment problem. I think I'll try Nippon if the service is not expensive.

I've complaint about the wobble problem in the email I sent to Zeiss. Interestingly, Zeiss replied that they only received a few complaints about the ZM wobble and they don't see any quality problem in their ZM product line.

Well, as far as I know, four of my friends have ZM lens, and at least two of them have the wobble problem. Including me that would be 3 with wobble problem out of 5 ZM lenses. Guess my friends and I, and those who have the wobble problem on this forum, are just those unlucky guys, right?😕