Zeiss ZM lens wobble check

[gavinlg]

Hey guys, I received a new ZM biogon 35mm f2 Last week and I notice there’s a tiny bit of lateral side to side play in the front lens cell. Probably around a millimeters worth but still noticeable if I wobble it with my fingers. Is this normal or should I be sending it back?

Lovely optic but the internet chatter about wobbles has got me feeling paranoid.
Cheers

 

[CharlesDAMorgan]

No front lens element should move on a new lens. Send it back for replacement.

 

[gavinlg]

No front lens element should move on a new lens. Send it back for replacement.

This was my initial reaction too, however if it’s just a normal trait of the lens I can live with it.

Anyone else with a biogon - especially a newish one?

 

[Rob-F]

Wobble would have to cause misalignment. That can't be good. And coming from Carl Zeiss, I hope it's not normal! Actually I have the 35mm f/2.8 version c Biogon, and there is no wobble.

 

[Archiver]

No, man. Send it back. I have four Zeiss lenses, three of which have wobble issues which lead to lenses so scuffy in the focus ring that I can't use two of them. You didn't mention how old that lens is, but I hope Zeiss have improved their internal construction/design since the days I got mine (late 2000s). Ironically, the much cheaper Voigtlander lenses which came from the same time and factory work perfectly. I'm just so wary of ZM lenses now.

 

[philosli]

Hey guys, I received a new ZM biogon 35mm f2 Last week and I notice there’s a tiny bit of lateral side to side play in the front lens cell. Probably around a millimeters worth but still noticeable if I wobble it with my fingers. Is this normal or should I be sending it back?

Lovely optic but the internet chatter about wobbles has got me feeling paranoid.
Cheers

My ZM Biogon 35mm f2 doesn't wobble. I bought new about 2 years back. You should return it.

 

[gavinlg]

My ZM Biogon 35mm f2 doesn't wobble. I bought new about 2 years back. You should return it.

Ahhh. This is what I was wanting to hear. So to confirm, no movement at all when the front bit is gripped with two fingers on the sides and wiggled side to side? (on the horizontal plane only - mine seems to have tiny movement horizontally but not vertically).

 

[gavinlg]

No, man. Send it back. I have four Zeiss lenses, three of which have wobble issues which lead to lenses so scuffy in the focus ring that I can't use two of them. You didn't mention how old that lens is, but I hope Zeiss have improved their internal construction/design since the days I got mine (late 2000s). Ironically, the much cheaper Voigtlander lenses which came from the same time and factory work perfectly. I'm just so wary of ZM lenses now.

This is what I’m concerned about. I bought the lens brand new and as far as I can tell it has a late production serial. I also noticed it has a tiny bit of play in the focussing ring, which gets worse as the front element is pointed down toward the ground.

Regarding Voigtlander lenses I’ve got a 35mm nokton f1.4 that I bought used 6 months ago that I’ve triple checked for any movement and it has zilch in the barrel or the focussing ring.

 

[philosli]

Ahhh. This is what I was wanting to hear. So to confirm, no movement at all when the front bit is gripped with two fingers on the sides and wiggled side to side? (on the horizontal plane only - mine seems to have tiny movement horizontally but not vertically).

Yes, I tested it and there is no such wobbling in my ZM 35mm Biogon f2.

 

[gavinlg]

Yes, I tested it and there is no such wobbling in my ZM 35mm Biogon f2.

Cheers, much appreciated mate. Looking like I'm gonna send it back this week.

 

[jarski]

interesting these are still sold new, and they still have the same issue 😛

 

[mcfingon]

My 7 year-old Biogon 35/2 has no freeplay. My similar age Sonnar 50/1.5 has a tiny amount of movement. I gather the play is an assembly issue rather than a design problem, and is correctable with a partial dismantle and tighten of some holding screws. I agree that seems to show poor quality control if some lenses have freeplay when brand new, or even some years old. Recently I took the front ring off my 50/1.5 and checked the offending screws and saw they weren’t noticeably loose. They are held by blue lacquer from memory.
John Mc

 

[sanmich]

ZM planar DIY relube and wobble repair?

ZM planar DIY relube and wobble repair?

I have a planar 50 that badly needs a relube and probably a fix of the wobble too.
with all the stories about such problems, I was surprised not to find any DIY repair page/video.

Is there someone here that repaired their lens and is willing to give me some indications?
or a link?

Thanks!!

 

[p81]

Hi, I fixed the times and shutter of a Zeiss Planar 100mm of my Hasselblad. I don't know if the ZM Planar is equivalent, or similar but you could give it a try. Usually at other lenses for the fokus you have to take it apart from the front, for the aperture from the back. Maybe you find something on YT if you look for Planar.
In every case I would take a marker, mark everything and try it. It isn't that difficult.