lewis44
Well-known
I just got a Zeiss Ikon ZM camera body and tried using a 50mm Summicron DR Lens without the eyes on it. Mounts fine, but when I turn the Focus ring, it will stop between the 25 and the 50 foot mark. It won't go to infinity. It feel like it is hitting something internally that is stopping it. The lens works fine on my M5 and CL and a VC 50mm Nokton works fine w/ adapter on the ZM, so something about this combo is not right. Anyone have any ideas as I would love to have this lens/camera setup work correctly
Thanks, Randy
Thanks, Randy
gavinlg
Veteran
sounds like it's hitting internally on the light baffle? in the ZI. The rear element extend out during focussing to infinity? If so you have your problem.
jbf
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Its because of the DR mechanism. It's been documented here before. The only way to use the DR on the ZI is if you mill off the close focus mechanism portion of the lens.
So yeah... DR is a no-go on the zeiss. Sucks, but just the way things happen i guess. Can't use a Jupiter-12 on the ZI either. Oh well.
So yeah... DR is a no-go on the zeiss. Sucks, but just the way things happen i guess. Can't use a Jupiter-12 on the ZI either. Oh well.
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
That's interesting to know as I have an Ikon on the way ... which means I'll have two cameras my DR won't fit on. It's no go on an M8 either ... I'm not about to start grinding pieces off it!
jbf
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Yeah I wouldnt want to grind pieces off of it either.
Sad that it wont work but I guess it's just the nature of the game.
Sad that it wont work but I guess it's just the nature of the game.
lewis44
Well-known
Well after your posts and checking on the posts for the DR on the M8, looks like the DR close focusing cam is the problem. As I don't even have the eyes for it and use a SLR for close up work, I'll probably send it to Don or Sherry for a nip/tuck.
Has Anyone done it??
Thanks All, for the help.
Randy
Has Anyone done it??
Thanks All, for the help.
Randy
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
I seem to remember seeing a thread about it on the Leica Users forum regarding the M8?
Justin Viiret
Established
There are a few people on the LUG list using the DR with the M8, after milling off the close-focus piece. I've just sent a damaged DR to someone who's planning on doing that to the barrel and just swapping his good optical unit between barrels on his M8 and film M. Haven't seen any results yet -- I don't think he's planning the operation until after Christmas. 
lewis44
Well-known
Well, Color me Crazy. I broke out the old Dremel Tool and did the mod on the lens myself.
Not for the faint of heart, but not really a big deal either. You need a steady hand and a vise or something to hold the lens. It came out great, if I do say so myself and focus @ infinity is right on. A little flat black paint on the cut edge and you can't tell it was modified.
Like I said in an earlier post, I don't have the eye's and don't intend to get them, so for me it was better than looking for a rigid and I know how this lens preforms.
I also modified my 40mm Summicron C to pull up the 35mm frame lines on the ZM, so I'm ready to go.
The mod on the 40mm, will still give you the default framelines on a CL, or other M bodies except the CLE.
Randy
Not for the faint of heart, but not really a big deal either. You need a steady hand and a vise or something to hold the lens. It came out great, if I do say so myself and focus @ infinity is right on. A little flat black paint on the cut edge and you can't tell it was modified.
Like I said in an earlier post, I don't have the eye's and don't intend to get them, so for me it was better than looking for a rigid and I know how this lens preforms.
I also modified my 40mm Summicron C to pull up the 35mm frame lines on the ZM, so I'm ready to go.
The mod on the 40mm, will still give you the default framelines on a CL, or other M bodies except the CLE.
Randy
fernandez_diez
Member
Please. I ,ve just bought a DR 50 mm summicron and I have the same problem. I can,t focus more than 7 feet,
Please, What can I do. I have a Zeis ZM
Have I to buy the "eyes" for this sunmicron ( I saw several items in e bay for sale)
If I fit the eyes, Can I focus to infinite distance or I need another device?
Or I only have a solution, sell this lens and buy other no DR?
Regards friends
Please, What can I do. I have a Zeis ZM
Have I to buy the "eyes" for this sunmicron ( I saw several items in e bay for sale)
If I fit the eyes, Can I focus to infinite distance or I need another device?
Or I only have a solution, sell this lens and buy other no DR?
Regards friends
marduk
Well-known
There are rumors that this lens works on Konica Hexar RF. Has anyone tried?
charlesburd
Newbie
my dr 50 works fine on my hexar rf. looks good too.
drewbarb
picnic like it's 1999
The idea of milling off the close focus cam of a DR 'cron sort of horrifies me. I can understand wanting to use the DR with other cameras. I mean I love my DR- it basically lives on an M3; both are with me most of the time. But jeez; if you want to use one, why not get a camera that fits it? If you want the DR's look in your images, but want to use a camera it won't fit it, why not sell it to someone who wants one intact, and buy a rigid 'cron from the same era? After you've paid for the mill work, it'll probably cost you more to own the modified lens, and for what? The glass and coatings in the DR and the rigid are the same. Once that lens is taken apart, modified, cleaned, re-greased and re-built, that marvelous "Leica build quality" will feel and behave the same as a rigid cron after a CLA- which will still be nice- but it will no longer be the thing it was. Why destroy a lens and waste money in the process?
I said "sort-of" horrifies me. I'm not religious about it; this "it will no longer be the thing it was" concept may or may not be important. If a thing will work better for you, why not? I do have the goggles for my DR; I rarely use the close focus feature. So why not? Do what you like. But personally, I think I'd find another lens/body combination to shoot with before I'd spend $ to cut the cam off a DR- there's no surfeit of wonderful, classic 50's out there, not to mention bodies that fit the DR.
I said "sort-of" horrifies me. I'm not religious about it; this "it will no longer be the thing it was" concept may or may not be important. If a thing will work better for you, why not? I do have the goggles for my DR; I rarely use the close focus feature. So why not? Do what you like. But personally, I think I'd find another lens/body combination to shoot with before I'd spend $ to cut the cam off a DR- there's no surfeit of wonderful, classic 50's out there, not to mention bodies that fit the DR.
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