Any remedy for a somewhat stiff focus lens? I bought a Leitz 90 f2.8 Tele-Elmarit for the M2 that came today and while it looks good the focus is a bit stiff between about 15 feet and infinity which is about an inch on t his lens. It's not terrible jerky, just a bit stiff.
Stiff Focus
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- Thread starter ColColt
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A stiff focusing ring can indicate that the grease on the focusing helicoid has dried out. However I am concerned that only a portion of the rotation is effected. This might indicate some sort of damage to the lens. Try exercising the ring a few dozen times or so to see if this helps. However sooner or later the lens needs service. I would suggest having a reputable repair facility have at look at the lens.
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My feelings are it's probably sat unused for a length of time and needs some exercise. There's no indication of damage such as dropping anywhere. I'll develope that roll of Tri-X tomorrow to see how things turn out. There's about 15 pics on that roll using this lens.
It needs to be exercised or a CLA. The grease is stiff.
Well maybe not so quickly.
Stiff focus is more often than not caused by the lens flange going off centre, it happens with use because of the torque applied turning the lens on the mount and causing the screws to stretch/loosen even if they still appear to be tight. Stiff grease is the technicians answer because they diagnose from afar and can charge you for a strip down. But the end result of lumpy stiff focus is usually solved by loosening all the screws on the lens flange, then re-tighten them very gradually opposite to opposite a bit at a time. This re-centres the flange and stops the notchy feeling as you focus. Stiff grease on the other hand usually shows as an overall sluggishness, not lumpiness. All you need is a cross head 00 screwdriver.
Steve
Stiff focus is more often than not caused by the lens flange going off centre, it happens with use because of the torque applied turning the lens on the mount and causing the screws to stretch/loosen even if they still appear to be tight. Stiff grease is the technicians answer because they diagnose from afar and can charge you for a strip down. But the end result of lumpy stiff focus is usually solved by loosening all the screws on the lens flange, then re-tighten them very gradually opposite to opposite a bit at a time. This re-centres the flange and stops the notchy feeling as you focus. Stiff grease on the other hand usually shows as an overall sluggishness, not lumpiness. All you need is a cross head 00 screwdriver.
Steve
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