Distance Scale on I-22

[Tom Harrell]

Greetings,

Sometime ago I bought an I-22 off of Ebay. It came from California as I remember. I got it to go on a Tower (leica copy) that I had also aquired from Ebay. Turned out that the Tower needs an overhaul. It has bad curtains and is in need of a CLA. I decided today to try the I-22 out on my IIIf. Having never used the lens before I took the camera outdoors with the I-22 attached. I noticed that when focused on an object 10 feet away that the distance indicator was at approximately "3." I got to thinking that the distance scale is probably set to measure in meters. If that is the case then there is no problem. Am I right? Is it in meters?
As I shine a light through it I can see some scratches and what looks to be some haze. I will see what the pictures look like once I get them all taken and developed. Could be that this one is not worth fooling with.

Warmest Regards,
Tom Harrell

 

[Jocko]

It's meters, Tom - and don't despair of the lens until you see some results - you may well be very pleasantly surprised!

All the best, Ian

 

[Tom Harrell]

Thanks Ian. I thought that was the simple explanation! As for the condition of the lens elements themselves I'll just have to do some comparisons between what it can do and what my Elmar 3.5, 5 CM does. This lens looks to be coated and may produce more contrast. The serial number of it is 5245711. On the front it is marked with "F=50 mm." Does this indicate it is an early lens or one that was produced a little later on.

Additionally, the lens seems to lock if after extending it by twisting it "either" counter-clockwise or clock-wise. Which is correct? Or does it matter to this lens?

Thanks for your help!
Tom Harrell

 

[Jocko]

Tom - I'll just go and fiddle with mine and be back with you in two minutes!

Cheers, Ian!

 

[Jocko]

Well Tom, the f=50 simply indicates the focal length (50mm) but the first two digits in the serial numbers on KMZ lenses normally give the year of manufacture, which would seem to be 1952 in your case. Lenses from that time were certainly coated.

With regard to the locking, I'd suggest that you should turn it clock-wise to lock (viewing the camera friom the front). Judging from my I-10s ( a near-identical lens made for the FED) it may seem that the lens is locked when fully extended and twisted anticlockwise, but it isn't!

These are good little lenses, so if this one is a bit amiss, don't let it put you off!

All the best, Ian

 

[Tom Harrell]

"Thanks Ian! You've been a big help!" I love the RFF!

Tom Harrell