Leica LTM 90mm Elmar f4 repair question

[theunconquered]

Hi,

I have a 90mm Elmar f4 lens (#412568) that has become quite difficult to focus because it is so stiff. I tried my local repair option but they stated they were unable to service this particular lens.

Since it's no good to me in its current state (and based on the price I paid for it) probably not worth the money required to ship it somewhere else for the repair, I was hoping to find some type of "do it yourself" guidance on the web.

I found some articles on this type of repair for a 50mm summitar, but nothing elmar specific. Has anyone here done this before?

Also, I have encountered a wide variety of recommended lubricants for this type of thing from petroleum jelly to something called lithium grease. Any suggestions?

Help!

Thanks!

 

[cmedin]

Youxin Ye works on these and is surprisingly inexpensive. Make sure to ask for a quote from him before tearing into it yourself: wye7@yahoo.com

He just fixed my 90/4 which had the same problem and it's ultra smooth now.

 

[theunconquered]

I just shot him an email, thanks for the tip.

 

[cmedin]

Hope it works out. Yours is an oldie, 1937 according to the serial number!

 

[John Shriver]

There's instructions in the Tomosy book on Leica Camera Repair.

 

[theunconquered]

Is it that old? Sheesh! No wonder it's a bit stiff.

Thanks for the info about the book too.

 

[theunconquered]

Got the lens back today from Youxin Ye, and the difference is amazing! Y'all weren't lying when you said he rates were reasonable. Great work. Thanks for the advice.

 

[cmedin]

Glad it worked out. 🙂