I've used Deoxit in the past, and I'm not too hopeful that it's the answer. I don't think there's any hope it's the contacts that communicate with the camera, and I'm not prepared to disassemble the lens to try it on anything internally.
My Loxia 21 doesn't exhibit the problem as much as much other Loxia's, and I bought it when it was released. I've tried a used copy of the Loxia 25 from LensRentals, it had the problem. I have 2 brand new copies, one from B&H and one from Adorama, both exhibit the problem (definitely more than my older Loxia 21). I also have the problem on the Loxia 85 I bought new from Adorama. I have > 2 years warranty left on the Loxia 25 copies and the Loxia 85 copy.
And there is some evidence that Zeiss is aware of the problem, and they have a fix. Communicating with Zeiss on Facebook, they said they were aware of the issue, I could send it in (if I was in Europe) for a fix. And there was the Reddit post where someone had it fixed by Zeiss and they mentioned
Lens repaired by Zeiss.
Dismantled lens to repair iris encoder mechanism.
Reassembled, checked & tested all functions.
I'd be a little surprised if they just used a product like Deoxit....and since my lenses are under warranty, I wouldn't personally try it. If someone does try this, report back here and let us know whether it solved the problem.
Knut. wrote:
Reading this thread and the redit thread completely I stumbled accross a few reappearing issues:
- The problem is reported slightly more frequently on older lenses.
- It is reported more frequently at f-values that people use regularly (f2.8 to f8), peaking at f4 and f5,6.
- Some users report turning the apperture ring back and forth improves (but does not eliminate) the problem.
- Some reports specify that applying Deoxit reduces / eliminates the problem.
- Some camera models (A1) are more sensitive to the issue than others, but it can happen on several bodies.
- Certain body/lens combinations are more prone to the problem than others [possibly both lens and body being borderline in spec but in opposite directions?]
This reminds me of a chronic problem of the Pentax LX camera body: The potentiometer coding the ASA value of the film had to be set after changing to a film of different sensitivity. Since many people rarely changed film sensitivity, this contact tended to corode with time, leading to erratical jumps in perceived film sensitivity over time (and consecutively jumping film over- and underexposure sporadically or when you bumped this wheel). Pentax recommended turning the wheel back and forth from minimum to maximum ISO once or twice a year, a recommendation which people hardly knew or did. The problem was so notorious that Pentax resorted to exchanging the potentiometer every time an LX camera came in for repair, regardless of the reason of the repair request (an anecdote of the former head technician at the European repair facillities for Pentax in Hamburg). Obviously potentiometers were cheap, a reputation to be lost, and quite obviously other times, other service mentalities (service for the LX stopped somewhere around 2005).
I feel that the reported problems here point to a similar issue: To me this sums up as an electrical contact defect either in the lens at the point where the mechanical signal (turning aperture ring) is transformed into an electrical signal, or when this electrical signal is transfered at the mount from the lens to the camera (In addition there is a varying sensitivity to an altered electric signal between different camera bodies).
I am sold on the idea that applying some cleaning/anticorosive lotion on the decisive contacts might improve or repair this problem.
Concerning this, several questions jump to my mind:
1) Which contacts might need attention? The contacts between the lens and the camera? Contacts within the lens that transduce the mechanical signal to an electronic signal? How can I access possible contacts within the lens? I’m not close in dexterity to Aaron in the repair department of lens rentals, nevertheless I’m somewhat bold and I dare to shim my lenses, so with a proper guide I might give it a shot. Who has taken Loxia and Voigtländer lenses apart and might share some experience?
Cncerning Deoxit: What would you use?
- D5 (contains an evaporating solvent, thus it might allow a thinner application after the solvent has evaporated. On the other hand, could solvents damage parts?).
- D100 (appears to be the pure stuff).
- Deoxit Gold (tube). What makes this special?
What would people recommend for the golden contacts between camera and lens?
What for the putative contacts within the lens? ...Show more →
Assuming the idea this is an electrical problem related to the reading of the aperture, and this seems reasonable. Then the problem is with the lens in that transducer. It is not related the the contacts between the lens and camera. The aperture setting is sent as part of the digital message between the lens and camera, this message has a checksum, meaning if it were corrupted the camera would know and try communicating again.
I have sprayed these types of electronic cleaners on potentiometers for stereo volume controls. But I wouldn’t spray them into a lens for fear of leaving a film on the optics.
I think the idea that fast cameras read this value more often and therefore would be more likely to encounter the problem seems reasonable.
I had a throttle position sensor in a car go bad. It was very frustrating, when you gave a little bit of gas from idle it would cut the fuel instead of adding more, then when you got past this point it suddenly gave more. Made for a very unpleasant driving experience.
tschopp wrote:
Assuming the idea this is an electrical problem related to the reading of the aperture, and this seems reasonable. Then the problem is with the lens in that transducer. It is not related the the contacts between the lens and camera. The aperture setting is sent as part of the digital message between the lens and camera, this message has a checksum, meaning if it were corrupted the camera would know and try communicating again.
I have sprayed these types of electronic cleaners on potentiometers for stereo volume controls. But I wouldn’t spray them into a lens for fear of leaving a film on the optics.
I think the idea that fast cameras read this value more often and therefore would be more likely to encounter the problem seems reasonable.
I had a throttle position sensor in a car go bad. It was very frustrating, when you gave a little bit of gas from idle it would cut the fuel instead of adding more, then when you got past this point it suddenly gave more. Made for a very unpleasant driving experience....Show more →
I agree that just spraying the cleaner into a gap of the lens will be a recipe for disaster.
Taking the lens apart, finding the transducer and aplying the cleaner very locally appears to be the only sensible aproach.
Is anyone aware of a step by step tear down of a Loxia lens? My search did not yield anything usefull.
I have no issues with my A1 and Loxia 21. Disclaimer - I don't use this combo often.
Is there a workaround if it ever does happen? Not a permanent solution as discussed above, but a temporary fix to be able to use magnified live view and release shutter if the problem occurs in the field.
I have no issues with my A1 and Loxia 21. Disclaimer - I don't use this combo often.
Is there a workaround if it ever does happen? Not a permanent solution as discussed above, but a temporary fix to be able to use magnified live view and release shutter if the problem occurs in the field.
You can disable magnified view, and resort to focus peaking, but when the aperture reading really starts to flutter, you make not be able to take the shot, so in short, there is no workaround that I know of other than to tape the contacts and make it a dumb lens.
I have no issues with my A1 and Loxia 21. Disclaimer - I don't use this combo often.
Is there a workaround if it ever does happen? Not a permanent solution as discussed above, but a temporary fix to be able to use magnified live view and release shutter if the problem occurs in the field.
What I've found out recently that helps is nudging the aperture ring in both directions a bit. It seems to help for some time at least.
lattesweden wrote:
If you have a problem with your Loxia lens on a Sony body a good idea is to contact Zeiss customer support.
I currently don't have a problem with A1 + Loxia 21. Just looking for some "what if" advice so it's not completely useless if I'm out somewhere with only this kit.
mmm55 wrote:
I currently don't have a problem with A1 + Loxia 21. Just looking for some "what if" advice so it's not completely useless if I'm out somewhere with only this kit.
What can happen is that the focus magnify mode doesn't work at all or acts flaky on Sonys new menu bodys.
Old menu bodys seems to work ok all the time.
If you get this problem on a new menu body I suggest you follow my above tip.
lattesweden wrote:
What can happen is that the focus magnify mode doesn't work at all or acts flaky on Sonys new menu bodys.
Old menu bodys seems to work ok all the time.
If you get this problem on a new menu body I suggest you follow my above tip.
OK, I understand your above tip, but I'm not sure you understand what I'm asking.
I currently use an A1 with the Loxia 21 without any issues. I've read through this thread and understand that past performance (of my combo) is no guarantee that I'll never experience this issue. So let's say I'm out for the day, far away from home or my car, and this is the only camera and lens I have with me. Then it happens. Suddenly I can't use magnified live view or release the shutter. What do I do? Contact Zeiss customer support? What I'm asking for is a temporary workaround to allow me to continue shooting for the day. A few other members had good suggestions. What would you recommend?
mmm55 wrote:
OK, I understand your above tip, but I'm not sure you understand what I'm asking.
I currently use an A1 with the Loxia 21 without any issues. I've read through this thread and understand that past performance (of my combo) is no guarantee that I'll never experience this issue. So let's say I'm out for the day, far away from home or my car, and this is the only camera and lens I have with me. Then it happens. Suddenly I can't use magnified live view or release the shutter. What do I do? Contact Zeiss customer support? What I'm asking for is a temporary workaround to allow me to continue shooting for the day. A few other members had good suggestions. What would you recommend?
I see. Then I suggest you contact Zeiss customer service and tell them your fear based on that othes have gotten this problem and ask if they have a preemptive remedy for your lens.
None of mine that exhibit the problem are completely unusable. Pick another aperture....sometimes switching modes to another and back.....satanic verses. Sometimes you have moments where it cooperates, etc.
mmm55 wrote:
OK, I understand your above tip, but I'm not sure you understand what I'm asking.
I currently use an A1 with the Loxia 21 without any issues. I've read through this thread and understand that past performance (of my combo) is no guarantee that I'll never experience this issue. So let's say I'm out for the day, far away from home or my car, and this is the only camera and lens I have with me. Then it happens. Suddenly I can't use magnified live view or release the shutter. What do I do? Contact Zeiss customer support? What I'm asking for is a temporary workaround to allow me to continue shooting for the day. A few other members had good suggestions. What would you recommend?
lattesweden wrote:
I see. Then I suggest you contact Zeiss customer service and tell them your fear based on that othes have gotten this problem and ask if they have a preemptive remedy for your lens.
mmm55 wrote:
OK, I understand your above tip, but I'm not sure you understand what I'm asking.
I currently use an A1 with the Loxia 21 without any issues. I've read through this thread and understand that past performance (of my combo) is no guarantee that I'll never experience this issue. So let's say I'm out for the day, far away from home or my car, and this is the only camera and lens I have with me. Then it happens. Suddenly I can't use magnified live view or release the shutter. What do I do? Contact Zeiss customer support? What I'm asking for is a temporary workaround to allow me to continue shooting for the day. A few other members had good suggestions. What would you recommend?
molson wrote:
You're actually worried about something like that happening? What about being struck by lightning, or hit by a meteorite, or attacked by a chupacabra?
Okay, there is no need to drag the chupacabra into this. I lost many a goat... MANY a goat to the chupacabra, and I find this insensitive.
freaklikeme wrote:
Okay, there is no need to drag the chupacabra into this. I lost many a goat... MANY a goat to the chupacabra, and I find this insensitive.
molson wrote:
You're actually worried about something like that happening? What about being struck by lightning, or hit by a meteorite, or attacked by a chupacabra?
Does anybody have this issue with the fairly new Voigtlander APO-Lanther 35mm f2? I'm about to pick one up used (out of warranty), but I would think twice if this issue has been reported with that lens.
By the way, another datum point. No such issues with my Loxia 25mm on my A7RV or new A7CR 🤞
