Skopar 21mm not coupling to rangefinder

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David67

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Hello all,

I have just purchased a used 21mm Skopar in 39mm version with the M mount adapter.

I have tried it on 2 different M bodies with 2 different M mount adapters but the lens does not couple with the rangefinder in the camera's viewfinder.
I have scrupulously followed the instructions to install the adapter, the lens extends and retracts when I turn the focussing ring, so really I don't know what's wrong.
The manual clearly says the lens should couple with the rangefinder.

Does any of you have any idea what might be the cause ? Am I doing something wrong or do you think the lens is faulty ?

Thanks for your help !

David
 
Yes you're probably right. Both on my M3 and MP.
But I'm not going to mess with the cam on the camera anyway.
Maybe I have an early version of the lens which is not supposed to couple.
 
Look at the back of the lens. Turn it to infinity. You should see a brass helicoid. As you turn the opposite direction you'll see the helicoid go back into the lens.

I just checked my 21 on a DS M3 and it couples.
 
It's the focusing cam follower on the camera which is not contacting the helicoid as was mentioned earlier. The only real fix of this is not for the faint of heart. For a 21mm lens focusing is kind of not necessary anyways unless you're wide open and up close, even then there is ample DOF. I say zone focus and have fun with a great lens.

Phil Forrest
 
Hi, David,

I am VERY new to all this rangefinder stuff...plus, by now you probably have your problem resolved for your 21mm Skopar.

I ordered a used 25mm Skopar Snapshot lens, and Googling around learned that there are TWO versions of that lens...a black one that is bayonet mounted and couples to the rangefinder function..and a silver one that requires a Leica M mount adapter, and also "comes with" a camera top viewfinder because the lens does NOT couple with the rangefinder function.

So, since the one I ordered is silver and comes with a VF, then I expect it to not couple with the RF functions.

....at least I "think" that's what I expect.

😕

Robt.
 
Mr_Toad said:
Hi, David,

I am VERY new to all this rangefinder stuff...plus, by now you probably have your problem resolved for your 21mm Skopar.

I ordered a used 25mm Skopar Snapshot lens, and Googling around learned that there are TWO versions of that lens...a black one that is bayonet mounted and couples to the rangefinder function..and a silver one that requires a Leica M mount adapter, and also "comes with" a camera top viewfinder because the lens does NOT couple with the rangefinder function.

So, since the one I ordered is silver and comes with a VF, then I expect it to not couple with the RF functions.

....at least I "think" that's what I expect.

😕

Robt.
Click to expand...
The uncoupled LTM version (Snapshot-Skopar) comes with the matching accessory finder because it predates the R4A/R4M. The later, M-mount version (called the P, and RF-coupled) has no finder because it's intended for use with the R4A/R4M which have built-in 25mm framelines.
 
Mr_Toad said:
Hi, David,


I ordered a used 25mm Skopar Snapshot lens, and Googling around learned that there are TWO versions of that lens...a black one that is bayonet mounted and couples to the rangefinder function..and a silver one that requires a Leica M mount adapter, and also "comes with" a camera top viewfinder because the lens does NOT couple with the rangefinder function.

So, since the one I ordered is silver and comes with a VF, then I expect it to not couple with the RF functions.

....at least I "think" that's what I expect.

😕

Robt.
Click to expand...

The OP was asking about the 21, right? The 25 just snuck in here.

I am not familiar w. an uncoupled 21. Nor am I familiar w. the ltm to M mount converters mentioned, but I have multiple ltm-M converters and my 21 couples w. all of them.

The external VF has to do with a field of view question, not a RF coupling question.

Sorry I can't help w. the original problem.

Giorgio
 
Hi, Georgio,

Go to Stephen's link below, and perhaps you will understand why my 25mm Skopar lens discussion is indeed relevant to David's 21mm Skopar discussion.

🙄

Further, the VF issue has direct impact on the Rangefinder issue, because the VF INCLUDED with some the Skopar lenses when purchased new is the alternative to the lens having any Rangefinder coupling capability.

http://cameraquest.com/voigtlenchart.htm

Robt.
 
I've just checked my CV 21/4 LTM (with third party M Adaptor) on both my R4A and my Leica M6. It couples to the rangefinder on both camera bodies although the viewfinder on the M6 only goes out to 28mm of course, so an external VF is needed there.

So, if the adaptor was correctly made it should couple to your rangefinder.
(I'm assuming that every other similar lens setup you have works OK and there's no issue with the cam follower on the camera bodies you're using. Unlikely if two of these exhibit the same problem).

1. You've tried it on two M bodies without success.
2. Next step is to try the same adaptor on another LTM lens.
3. If it couples then there's a problem with the 21 lens you bought.
4. If it doesn't couple then I'd say someone has filed down the adaptor cam or it's been poorly made.
5. Maybe borrow a genuine Voigtlander one or take yours in to Robert White's to compare.

There were some pretty shonky but cheap Chinese made adaptors that people bought at one time and maybe you've got one of those. False economy in my view!
 
Hi, Leigh,

Yup...it's the uncoupled, screwmount 25 that I purchased, so my first post was simply suggesting that David's 21 might be of a similar design.

At the start of my post, I did point out that I am very new to the RF stuff.

Please forgive me for participating in the thread. I promise not to do it again.

Robt.
 
David67 said:
Hello all,

I have just purchased a used 21mm Skopar in 39mm version with the M mount adapter.

I have tried it on 2 different M bodies with 2 different M mount adapters but the lens does not couple with the rangefinder in the camera's viewfinder.
I have scrupulously followed the instructions to install the adapter, the lens extends and retracts when I turn the focussing ring, so really I don't know what's wrong.
The manual clearly says the lens should couple with the rangefinder.

Does any of you have any idea what might be the cause ? Am I doing something wrong or do you think the lens is faulty ?

Thanks for your help !

David
Click to expand...

Ok - first - did you buy your lens new? If so - return it and get another.
If you got it used, what could have happend was - mount of the lens was taken off - its held by screws and was not put on correctly, so that cam in the camera cant touch it now. Taking the mount off - all you need is a screwdriver and trying different positions-rotating it may result in finding one position that does couple - I believe that there should be a cutout on the side of the lens that allows roller wheel of the camera to contact the lens. This cutout should be about the same position as focusing mark on the lens barrel. Problem is - you will see it when take mount off - there are 4 possible holes for each screw that holds the mount to the lens - so just one of them is correct. Therefore trying different positions/holes may be needed to get it right.
 
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