CZ 135 focus ring stiffness

[picman]

Just received my CZ 135. I've been taking some test pictures with it and optically it seems to be OK (well more than OK actually ). However, the focusring is so stiff. Also it is entirely in metal rather than having a rubber grip. Because of the stiffness, manually turning it to try and focus just does not go in a smooth continuous movement. I will hardly ever be focussing manually, but still, is all this normal?

Thanks, cheers, Bob.

[KevinBarrett]

Boy, do I wish I had your problems! I think I read somewhere that the CZ 135 takes a little bit of effort to focus, partially due to the mostly metal construction (the focus ring is actually a hard plastic, according to slrgear.com), but mostly due to the fact that there's so much glass to move inside the fastest 135mm on the market.

[picman]

Thanks for the reply Kevin, no problems, I just wanted to know that all is right. Turns out I was not doing things correctly. I also asked at GetDPI forum since I knew some people there have the 135. I think it is important what they said, because not only did it solve the problem it is also important to know what to do so as not to damage things.

Unlike eg the 16-35 and the 24-70, manual focussing with the 135 only works when you do one of the following
1. Engage AF-A with DMF in which case the camera will autofocus normally and once done disengage so that you can fine-focus manually if desired
2. Switch the rotary on the front of the camera to MF
3. Hold or toggle the AF/MF button on the back of the camera to MF

The focussing ring then turns very smoothly as it should.

Cheers, Bob.

[KevinBarrett]

Ah! Glad you were able to get a more authoritative response to your queries. I don't think a lot of this forum's users have that lens, but thank you for posting the answers back here again, just the same.