Voigtlander Nokton 35 Aperture ring problem

Sylvester

Sylvester

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Hello everyone.
Today I took my camera with me, as always.
It has been since the 7th of December that I almost daily use my leica m6 along with my Voigtlander 35 1.4 SC. Today, a problem appeared with its aperture ring.
The ring moves in the front/back directions... When it's focused at infinity, no big problem, but when it's focused at 0.7m, that part extensions and the ring moves a lot more, which is QUITE annoying and actually makes it difficult to change aperture.
What is the guaranty from Voigtlander? The lens has only 3 months of use and I bought it from a recognized dealer (Camtech Photo in Montréal aka Leica Boutique). I'll visit him tomorrow, but I'm quite scared that Cosina would not give guaranty on their lenses or that it could cost big money to get it repaired...
Anyway, anyone ever dealt with problems on their Voigtlander gear? I understand that it is not a Leica lens, but man, 600$ for a 35mm isn't cheap...
 
Having just bought the same lens, which arrived earlier this week, I would be interested to know of your progress with the repair/replacement. I have only taken about 20 shots so far and have not run into any problems.
 
is it just that the ring on the back is loose? the one with the two tabs? try and see if that's loose... or maybe it's something else. actually on second thought, it's probably something else because that ring holds the optical stuff in; not just the aperture ring...


On an unrelated note... I told my buddy that I'd be getting a Nokton (35/1,4) a while ago and his response was like: "Voigtlander? I heard that the screws come loose on those." Yeah right. I didn't believe him... until the focusing tab came loose on my 35 after about a year of daily-ish use. I was not amused. I'm usually not afraid to wrench but on something brand new that I bought for $600 (which is NOT cheap)? Not cool. Not cool, Cosina.

the 'good' news though was that it's a 10 minute fix. At least the aperture blades didn't fall out. And it fared much better than my M2 when I dropped them both recently...
 
I brought the lens and all to the dealer.
They'll send it to Cosina and Cosina will tell them weither they replace the lens or repare it. Very nice people, good service. You don't have this service in any photo shop in Montréal, highly recommend them.
 
Sylvester said:
I brought the lens and all to the dealer.
They'll send it to Cosina and Cosina will tell them weither they replace the lens or repare it. Very nice people, good service. You don't have this service in any photo shop in Montréal, highly recommend them.
Click to expand...

Nice? Any shop, virtual or brick & mortar should hornor basic consumer rights like warranty repairs.
 
Okay, here's a little update on that lens.
After a month, it came back from Japan. The aperture ring was repaired.
I mounted it on my M6 and told mysef: ****, now it's a hell rougher to focus. Checked in the viewfinder.
Focus wasn't working at all.
I ounmounted the lens and saw that the metal pieces that hold the lens elements was just where my Leica's focus cam was, and it entered in conflict with it.
Back to the shop, they told me the repairman tested it on a Bessa and it was fine, but they understood my problem. I got it back yesteday, assembled correctly.
I shot like... 5 images... And the aperture ring was loose again.
Damn... I gave it back to the store. I wanted to get another 35 because I don't want to wait another month after Cosina...
The owner told me to give him a last chance, that it never happens normally and that he couldn't sell it to somebody else if I asked another... So I gave him another chance, I really like the people there...
Anyway, I know that it costs a fraction of what the summilux cost, but hell I paid that lens 600$ and went a full month without being able to use it... I'm a patient guy, but I'm getting quite annoyes by all this...
 
What an odd problem you have, I've owned 2 35mm f1.4's, atleast 5 40mm f1.4 S.C. and M.C. and in varying conditions from Bargain (rough focus/wobble, squeaks, element marks, chipped, scuffed you name it) to New from box and never had this issue occur.. You may just have gotten a bad lens and whoever dismantled it may not of assembled it correctly (I question if it went to Cosina at all!)

I'm very sorry to read this and hope it's taken care of once and for all this time around, I never imagined these Nokton's to be fragile.. not even a 50mm f1.5 I had..
 
I purchased an MC second hand. Great lens, no problems and aperture ring is great on mine. Fingers crossed. I'll be sure to moniter this though in case something happens in the future
 
I sounds like a really bad experience.

But there are a few things that sound funny, though. How do you know it went to Japan – did they say that or are you assuming?
According to Cosina http://www.cosina.co.jp/kaigai/index.html USA and Canada share distributors (Cameraquest and Photo Village) - normal procedure is to send the distributor. IFAIK Cameraquest do their own repairs - I don't know about Photo Village.

I know Voigtlander QC sometimes get criticized, but what you received back after the first repair attempt (incorrectly assembled and unable to focus) sounds highly unlikely if the lens really was past the factory.

Then, if I understand you correctly, the local (?) repair guy reassembles the lens correctly but the aperture ring issue continues?
Maybe I misunderstand, but it sounds more like they may have messed around and done a couple of bad repair attempt(s) locally.

They may be nice, but I would be a little cautious.
 
Oh Dear.
Just bought a 35 Nokton. Thought I needed a fast 35 to go with the Summarit. Got a SC for £315 with hood, as new.
Seems well made. Focus is a little stiff!
Took it out today, ergonomically it is a dog compared to the Leica.
Focus & aperture are not as smooth, harder to find/operate.
Cant see me using it much!
Should I persevere?
Anyone fancy a Nokton £350? with hood!

A couple of pics worth downloading however.
Will defer judgement
 
Hi Olivier
Very Sorry to hear of your Nokton problems...what a Drag
I like what You do with that lens !!

I have had No problems with my 35 sc classic...smotth, easy to focus, no issues
And in the past used the nokton 50 1.5 , another Stellar Lens with Great signature and no issues

I guess it was a bad lemon... keep in mind any Lens / voigt, zeiss, leica,minolta can have an Issue...i have had my share of problems but more so with older lenses, improerly focusing, haze, stiffness etc

I would request to see the Work Receipt for the Lens
And certainly ask for a 'new' lens if it isNot returned in tip top shape

Best to You- H
 
Sylvester, I think the best you can do is return the lens, get a refund and get a second hand one from the forum: you will pay less and will be somewhat sure it will work well. Or if you prefer a brand new one, tell the shop owner to take the lemon and give you another copy. Try it on the shop to make sure it won't be another frustrating experience, should work alright. I've had an SC, an MC, both worked really well with no issues whatsoever. I hope it works out for you!
 
They had no other SC in stock, but had MC... That's a bit why I gave them another chance to repair it...
In fact, I really don't know where it went... They didn't tell me... It took a month to come back in my hands, so I assumed it must have crossed an ocean or something and told myself it went to Japan...
If it ever comes back not working, is the MC very different in rendering to the SC? I mean, I could change it for another copy, but MC...
 
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