Zeiss 35mm F2 Biogon ZM lens wobble

[scorpius73]

My lens has started to wobble. It has not affected the picture quality as of yet. Although I have not shot anything wide open and at minimum focus distance. My question is to those who have sent their lenses back into Zeiss. What is the turn around time and cost to fix the problem?

 

[35mmdelux]

My 28mm took 3 weeks to make the round trip Calif to Zeiss under warranty. I felt they were prompt.

 

[PMorenus]

I had the same wobbly problem with my Zeiss 28mm. I considered sending it in under warranty, but a quick tightening of the ring on the rear fixed the problem just fine.

 

[scorpius73]

I had the same wobbly problem with my Zeiss 28mm. I considered sending it in under warranty, but a quick tightening of the ring on the rear fixed the problem just fine.

i read another post about tightening the ring. i did not understand how to do it though. did not want to risk scratching rear element. i saw the notches but did not understand what to do.

 

[notturtle]

me too. I have no idea how to get to it and dont have the tools.

 

[scorpius73]

me too. I have no idea how to get to it and dont have the tools.

The last time I tried this I was looking at the wrong notches. When you take the lens off the camera. You see the rear element and 2 notches on either side. If you look down in between rear element and the outside barrel, inside you see another ring with notches. Just turn that until it stops. Mine was really lose. Now, its fine. I don't hear that shaking sound anymore. Oh yeah, I used the screwdriver that comes in an eyeglass repair kit that you buy at the counter of a drugstore.

 

[Krosya]

I wonder how long it takes before ZM lenses start doing this? I have ZM 21/2.8 and it's fine, but I wonder if I should expect this too?

 

[back alley]

i have never had any of my zeiss lenses loosen.

 

[f16sunshine]

My 25 took two weeks total from Seattle. It was a focus binding problem rather than wobble. Sounds like DIY could be an option for you though.

 

[Turtle]

I have noticed focus issues with four out of four lenses being hard and three out of four being flexible.

My 50 planar started out very stiff and then suddenly freed up (in a day)and is now rather light. very smooth to use but I think the retaining ring has come loose as a slight wobble came in at the same time. My 35 f2 has the wobble and my 21 2.8 has a hint of it. My 28 has no wobble but a pronounced backlash. It does not bother me but it is there.

I love the IQ from all of them, but will be writing to Zeiss and sending them my 21 2.8, 35 f2 and 50 planar to sort out. I don't think I should be paying this kind of money and getting these issues. All are totally usable but its not the point. Its bloody annoying when fine focusing on the 21/35. All are out of warranty, but then again I work in Afghanistan and cannot just pop them in the post and replace them, so I will be hoping Zeiss will do the right thing and repair them all for nothing. The 50 has been hardly used! I don't think this unreasonable seeing as I have whole heartedly bought into Zeiss M lenses and the common theme is focus issues.

I think I have been rather unlucky, but feel fortunate that the lenses have performed beyond belief optically and have warded off flare under tough conditions. I suspect that the lenses may just be suffering retaining ring issues, but if there is more to it than this, which in some cases I know there can be, we will have to see what happens.

I will get a tech to check the retaining rings first though. If they are the culprits, I will probably get the lenses relubed as well as the Zeiss lube can feel a little sticky at times. The benefit is that they do not become very stiff at -10 like my Leica 90 does!

PS try holding a black paint MP in -10 and shoot with a silver chrome one (ouch).

 

[fuwen]

I think I am lucky. I have altogether 6 ZMs with 2 of them bought used and have no problems so far ..........

 

[kdemas]

My 25mm got the wobble, easily corrected by my friends at the local dealer. Two minutes and it was tightened and good as new 🙂

That darn retaining ring.

Kent

 

[adam007]

When someone says wobble, do they mean the lens element is lose?
Or do they mean that when you focus there's a slight lag before the barrel starts moving.. As in the ring with turn a few mm then the barrel will say "OH time to move" and it will start moving along with the ring.

Please clarify... As my 50/2 is doing the later slightly...

Thanks,
Adam

 

[peppermill]

Hi,

My lens has a slight looseness which seems to match what you describe as a wobble. I'm trying to clarify what i'm reading in this thread and then perhaps try to see if it's worth fixing or not. I've taken a pic of my lens and put some arrows where I think something needs adjusting.

Am I correct assuming the outer notches need to be turned clockwise? If so, i'm very confused which tool would allow me to do this.

Tom

 

[gorbots]

I've just fixed my wobbly 35/2 biogon as suggested above. Simple to do. Just used a wee jewellers screwdriver. Good as new! I have a similar problem with my nokton 35/1.2 but it's only the front that's wobbly and I can't see how to fix it.