Stiff focus ring

[daas]

Hi folks, I've got a question about my C/Y 28mm 2.0 ('Hollywood') which I recently bought from eBay. The seller described the lens correct, and mentioned the stiff focus ring, but I couldn't let it slip for the price. It's a perfectly mint copy, without any noticable signs of wear.

However, the focus ring is indeed pretty stiff (compared to my 50/1.4, 35-70/3.4 and 135/2.. The stiffness is the same throughout the focus range. As a matter of fact, the focusing is actually quit 'smooth', you just have to apply quit some force to get it moving

What I'd like to know is how hard/expensive is it to get the stiff focus ring fixed. Also, does a stiff focus ring affect the resale value of my lens a lot (I'm not planning to do so, but would like to hear your opinion)?

[indianadinos]

Hi,

Here in Toulouse, a complete CLA would cost about 50 euros, done by a pro (not me) ...

For the resale value, i don't know ...



Cheers

[daas]

Thanks for the reply. I might consider to have a CLA if prices around here are comparable (and I can find someone that doesn't mess up my beautiful Zeiss )

By the way, I'm not totally sure but I think the stiffness is decreasing the more I use the lens; is that possible? Maybe I'm just getting used to it .

[unclemack]

It's certainly possible the focus will become easier with use - one of my lenses was quite stiff when new and for six months or so.
If it becomes stiffer or feels rough though it will need regreasing - original grease can separate into a light oil & hard grease. The lighter component often migrates to the diaphragm & causes aperture problems - check for this first, it'll need CLA right away if the diaphragm is slow or sticky - sometimes you can see the oil on the blades.
Very very stiff can break internal components.