Zeiss lens wobble repair options

Steinberg2010

Steinberg2010

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I'm not sure if this is the right forum for this (I couldn't see a Zeiss lenses option like we have for Voigtländer).

I have a Sonnar-C 50mm which has developed a slight wobble. I'm not the first owner and I've had it at least 18 months so I assume there's no warranty. What are my repair options? I guess Zeiss USA is one (not sure what the cost/time frame works out at). I have heard the Skyllaney in the UK will fix this issue for <200GBP (but I'm now based in the USA so this is not necessarily preferable). Is there anyone else that the community knows of? I tried Youxin but he said he doesn't work on this lens.

Best,

~S
 
you might try procamera.us. I'd be surprised if they would charge anywhere near the equivalent of 200GBP for this...
 
Honestly, you might consider Skyllaney. It won't cost you that much to ship it to them, though the repair is expensive.

Have you contacted DAG?
 
I contacted DAG and he said he works on the lens. I am a little hesitant to send it to him as I know the turnaround can be lengthy (I have no reservations about the quality of his work).

I have contacted procamera to see what their estimate might be.

~S
 
I was able to improve the wobble on my 35/2.8 at home, removing the back ring and tightening a few small screws below. Could be worth a try if you are comfortable.

Otherwise, I second ProCamera, they have worked on lenses for me quickly and at a reasonable price. Eg. full CLA on Canon LTM lens was ~$100 and took two weeks total.
 
reasons of wobble have been debated here for years, skyllaneyoptomechanics comment bellow. link

...
But, for some reason, the Zeiss ZM rangefinder lenses have plastic parts inside.... why?!
Their focus construction, is more akin to modern mirrorless AF lenses that use Teflon roller pins to provide focus translation instead of traditional multi start threaded helicoids.

These teflon roller pins wear down, and gaps form in the tracks the pins are supposed to travel in. When this happens... the dreaded wobble occurs. The ZM lenses also use extremely soft screws which strip all to easily.

No other rangefinder lenses Ive seen use these teflon roller pins. Oddly enough, no other rangefinder lens range have constant wobble focus problems forming over time on nearly every lens of the range.

Ive seen now:
21mm f/2.8 Biogon
25mm f/2.8 Biogon
28mm f/2.8 Biogon
35mm f/2.8 Biogon
35mm f/2 Biogon
50mm f/1.5 Sonnar
50mm f/2 Planar
85mm f/4 Tele Tessar
85mm f/2 Sonnar

All above lenses were ZM body lenses, and all developed focus wobble (for the record, Ive never seen the ZM 35mm Distagon develop this issue, but this lens is also way better built then its siblings). ...
Click to expand...
 
I have sent mine to Zeiss USA in 2020. They initially estimated 3 months to get the wobble fixed. The lens came back in 3 weeks. No wobble but the focusing is not as smooth as it used to be. Costed something ~80$
 
For comparison, only: I just had my severely wobbled Zeiss 2.8/28 repaired in Ho Chi Minh City. It took less than 24 hours and cost $21. Cheers, OtL
 
This is why I purchase Leica lenses.

My friend in the wedding business in the 60`s purchased two Voitlander RF I think, but they came with Nokton lenses which were very nice.
Within a month the rangefinders were all worn out.
He got leicas for his business and provided them for all his employees also.

The saying goes, poor mans buys twice, rich man once.
 
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