[Leica] 35mm Summilux-R

["David E. Strang" <dstrang@up.net>]

Has anyone in this group had any experience with the 35mm f1.4-R Summilux
lens?

I picked up a used lens several weeks ago and it had an annoying sticking
feel in its
closest focusing range and it felt sloppy at ranges close to infinity. If
you held the lens
alone, not mounted to a camera body, and rotated the focus, it felt okay.
Put it on a
body and the lens felt terrible. I have since sent it back adn purchased a
NEW lens.

problem is, the new lens has an equally annoying "hitch" in its focus ring
as well, It's
not the smooth Leica feel. It feels as if one of the floating element groups
is rubbing
something inside. There are times when I can just hear a clicking sound when
the focus
ring hits the "hitch." its very subtle, but very much present. I talked to
my dealer, and
Leica won't have another sample for another week or so (Leica-time).

It's a very beautiful lens, but the mechanics seem flawed or is it just my
TWO samples?

Regards,
Dave Strang
dstrang@up.net