A couple of weeks ago I bought a used, Like New, 50mm Summicron-M, latest version, chrome. When I got it, the focusing was as smooth as butter--quite literally the smoothest focusing lens I have ever owned. Then, after a week or so, it began to bind a little. Today, in the middle of a shoot, it suddenly became much worse; it's so tight it's virtually unuseable. All this happened for no apparent reason: the lens was neither abused nor exposed to the elements. No sand, no dirt, no water, nothing. Does anyone know why this might occur? And I presume there's nothing I can do but send it in for a CLA.

-- Peter Hughes (ravenart@pacbell.net), October 10, 2001

Answers

I have had exactly the same problem with my 24 asph. Very annoying. It comes and goes on mine. I find it generally happens at the closest focus position and I have to jiggle it a bit to make it go away.

Let me know Peter what you have to do to solve this problem. Unfortunately I can't afford to be without my second favourite lens (I only have three anyway!) for any length of time so I've been putting up with it.

-- rob (rob@robertappleby.com), October 10, 2001.

I know what you mean Rob. I just sent away my 35/1.4 Asph for a CLA and repair exactly 19 hours and 15 minutes ago and I am hurting BAD. Mine also had a stiff spot in the focus around the 1 meter mark. Alas I cannot blame the Leica gods for this one. I am pretty sure I whacked it against something. You do travel a fair bit why not coordinate a visit with a Leica tech. A drop by evaluation and repair so to speak.

Peter, there have been cases of internal screws working loose and causing the focus to bind. STOP USING THE LENS RIGHT NOW. It will not be that expensive to repair.

Cheers

-- John Collier (jbcollier@powersurfr.com), October 10, 2001.

Hi Peter, Like you, I have the new 50-m, the same thing has happened-twice! Both times it was the result of the lens being hit- not hard, as the camera hung from my shoulder. The first time I sent it to Leica, and for only 90 bucks it came back perfect. The second time I didn't want to part with the lens or 90 dollars, so I set the lens in a warm oven (125 degrees)- to soften the grease- when I took the lens out I vigorously twisted the lens barrel back and forth- it worked! My lens is back to normal. Bill

-- Bill Magness (bmagness@marshinc.com), October 10, 2001.

Bill, do you mean 125 centigrade or farenheit, because cementing can be very sensitive to such high temp. I once dropped my 50/DR (it was a hard drop), the lens after that became hard to focus near the closest distance range, I worked with it for a wile, but end up sending it for repair to Leica in NJ, and at $250.00 bucks cost, now is perfect, but I think quite expensive.

So; Peter, Rob and John my pray for your lenses to be under warranty, and for my newer lenses to keep OK.

I love .the soft focusing move of my latest 50/2, now IŽll look carefull.

-- r watson (al1231234@hotmail.com), October 10, 2001.

I had a current model 50mm 'cron in chrome. I found that the focussing ring was smooth for large movements, but felt 'sticky' when performing fine adjustments, when there was a degree of initial resistance. A trip to Leica didn't cure it so I sold it and bought the latest Elmar, which is as smooth as the proverbial baby's bottom.

-- Paul Hart (paulhart@blueyonder.co.uk), February 18, 2002.

I have one or two older lenses that seem to catch and hold at closest focus, with a little playing around, it works the focussing ring loose so that it moves smoothly. Since I was not the original owner, I can't say if the lens was bunged or otherwise mistreated, but the barrel does not look damaged. I suspect something internal with the focussing mechanism, especially if others have seen this with new "unbunged" lenses.

My philosophy, if it happens only occasionaly, ignore it. [There are many idiosynchrasies which you will discover with Leica products.] But if it is a regular occurrence, send it in for repair.

-- Eliot (erosen@lij.edu), February 18, 2002.

this shows that if you shoot with leica you should buy two pieces of every piece of equipment you have. preferably one silver and one black. if anything fails you still have a backup without any heartbreak

-- stefan randlkofer (geesbert@yahoo.com), February 18, 2002.

had my 24 fixed. Sand in the helicals.

-- rob (rob@robertappleby.com), February 18, 2002.

Funny, my 50/2 is doing what Peter's did. Can't part with it for the 3 months it will take...

-- Mani Sitaraman (bindumani@pacific.net.sg), February 19, 2002.

Mani, I think any camera repair tech can dismantle, clean and reassemble a lens, even a leica lens. I didn't send mine to Leica to be fixed, as they're quite useless here in Italy.

-- rob (rob@robertappleby.com), February 19, 2002.

The two-part early 50mm summicrons would bind at close focus if the assembly was overtightened. Try loosening the connection then retighten with minimal force. Worked well on mine. Regards. Phil

-- phillip george (p.george@telus.net), February 01, 2003.