How smoothly does your 50 Summilux ASPH focus?

J J Kapsberger · 05-21-2008

I just got my 50 'lux ASPH and am a bit dismayed by the focusing. I don't mind stiff focusing, but the focusing on this lens is actually grabby with two discernible rough spots: one at 0.8m and one at just beyond 1.0m. I guess the floating element system kicks in right about there?

No problem. It's under warranty, so I'll get my main man at Kindermann to bring his expertise to bear. But I'd like to know, how smooth can the focusing on a 50 'lux ASPH be? Can it be made very light or is it inherently a stiffer design?

As I say, I'm can live with stiff focus; it's the grabbing I want rid of.

Livesteamer · 05-21-2008

I got my 50 1.4 asph a few years ago from Jim Kuehl and was dismayed at the focus being stiff. However, as a retired machinist I knew that the threads were cut to a very fine tolerance and that it would loosen up with time. After about six months of use it got much better. Mine is quite smooth now and a fantastic lens. It may just need a breaking in period. Good Luck.
Joe

thomasw_ · 05-21-2008

Smooth like butter for me, Darren.

J J Kapsberger · 05-21-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by thomasw_

Smooth like butter for me, Darren.

Sure, rub it in.

J J Kapsberger · 05-21-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Livesteamer

...as a retired machinist I knew that the threads were cut to a very fine tolerance and that it would loosen up with time. After about six months of use it got much better...

Thanks. Maybe that's just what's needed. A bit of time and breaking in.

x-ray · 05-21-2008

My asph is on the rough side even after 2+ years. I think it's just the nature of the cam system. Personally I don't like this but put up with it. I do think Leica could have done a little better job as other manufacturers hav with much more complex lenses.

jfujita · 05-21-2008

I just bought a chrome version and it is a little stiff. I notice that when I point the lens straight up (Like I'm shooting the moon) the focus is noticeably softer as the helicoids are all all mating evenly. When I bring the lens back down to a horizontal shooting stance I notice more resistance to the focusing. I figure its the strain of the weight of the front part of the lens on a smaller part of the helicoids as opposed to even distribution when held vertical. The chrome is a hefty lens. I'm hoping it does break-in nicely. (I also have a 35 asph lux that is even heavier that is a little stiff and grippy. Currently away to DAG for helicoid relubrication).

As for the grippy nature of the focusing DAG says that the newer teflon lubricants tend to wear quicker and cause that grippy sort of action. He suggests stripping the teflon stuff off and replacing with old leitz lubricant. He is currently performing this service on my 35 lux asph. I guess I'll report back when the job is done.

shenkerian · 05-21-2008

Mine's very smooth throughout its focus range, but it's also brass.

visiondr · 05-21-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by jfujita

I just bought a chrome version and it is a little stiff. I notice that when I point the lens straight up (Like I'm shooting the moon) the focus is noticeably softer as the helicoids are all all mating evenly. When I bring the lens back down to a horizontal shooting stance I notice more resistance to the focusing. I figure its the strain of the weight of the front part of the lens on a smaller part of the helicoids as opposed to even distribution when held vertical. The chrome is a hefty lens. I'm hoping it does break-in nicely. (I also have a 35 asph lux that is even heavier that is a little stiff and grippy. Currently away to DAG for helicoid relubrication).

As for the grippy nature of the focusing DAG says that the newer teflon lubricants tend to wear quicker and cause that grippy sort of action. He suggests stripping the teflon stuff off and replacing with old leitz lubricant. He is currently performing this service on my 35 lux asph. I guess I'll report back when the job is done.

You'll be pleased with the improvement a little grease switch will bring. Don did the same changeover for the same reason on my 50/2.8 Elmar-M over a year ago and it has been smooth as butta' ever since.

John Elder · 05-21-2008

I'm 55 years old and mine is not nearly as stiff as it use to be. Now , in regards to the lens, my 50 lux pre ash is as smooth as can be.

Tom A · 05-21-2008

I have an early 50f1.4 ASPH and fresh out of the box it was stiff, with a noticable "stiff" spot at the close focus. You could also feel the floating element shift. The good news is that it took less than 30-40 rolls to smooth it out and since it has worked perfectly. You can still "feel" the close up shift of the floating elements, but not in any way that makes it nerve wracking to use.
Most likely this is the sharpest 50 ever made and I cant really see why anyone would bother to make one that is sharper as neither film nor digital sensors can out resolve it. Maybe a bit more pleasing contrast for bl/w as it has a clinical look to it. I keep alternating between the Zeiss C Sonnar 50f1.5 for "smooth" tones and the ASPH for scalpel like rendition.

PATB · 05-22-2008

I got mine December 2007. It was a little hard to rotate then. Now, 50+ rolls later, it is very smooth.

Just use it.

Livesteamer · 05-22-2008

Speaking as a retired machinist, the fact that so many of us have reported tight focusing suggests that Leica is purposely setting them up this way. This suggest extemely accurate thread sizing in the lens helicoid. This is very high quality machining. Thank You Leica.
Joe

J J Kapsberger · 05-22-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by PATB

I got mine December 2007. It was a little hard to rotate then. Now, 50+ rolls later, it is very smooth.

Just use it.

That's what I like to hear. I'll give it some time, then decide whether it needs an alteration.

visiondr · 05-22-2008

Hey, just think of it this way, all that effort to focus will give your left wrist a heck of a workout. Maybe you'll bulk up a bit!

KM-25 · 05-22-2008

I had one that was kind of stiff out of the box but started to get better right before I sold it after getting the LHSA version with my MP-3 kit. The LHSA one is perfect.

I'm sure yours will break in.

J. Borger · 05-22-2008

Stiff at the beginning but it loosened up after i turned the focusring back and forward for about half an hour non-stop!!
Focus is however bumpy and least smooth of every Leica lens i own or ever owned!
Same is true about the aperturering, which is and always was way to loose.

john_s · 05-22-2008

I have one of the LHSA ones. Not my first choice, having no built-in hood and having the inconvenient 43mm filter size. And it's heavier. There was no other available at Popflash at the time. But it does focus smoothly. I can detect no change in stiffness through the range. It is a fantastic lens.

Ozkar · 05-26-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by J J Kapsberger

I just got my 50 'lux ASPH and am a bit dismayed by the focusing. I don't mind stiff focusing, but the focusing on this lens is actually grabby with two discernible rough spots: one at 0.8m and one at just beyond 1.0m. I guess the floating element system kicks in right about there?

No problem. It's under warranty, so I'll get my main man at Kindermann to bring his expertise to bear. But I'd like to know, how smooth can the focusing on a 50 'lux ASPH be? Can it be made very light or is it inherently a stiffer design?

As I say, I'm can live with stiff focus; it's the grabbing I want rid of.

The 50 'LUX ASPH has a sort of rubbery feel to the focus. Unlike a 50 'CRON which is silky smooth.

I'm not sure if this is specific to my sample, but if I wiggle the focus ring back and forth I can feel a slight click. I have used one other sample and it was much the same.

Ozkar