Elmar 135 Aperture Ring Issue

[KoNickon]

Another Elmar question. For some reason the indicated aperture on my copy of the lens is 1/2 step off from the actual aperture, as if somehow the aperture ring got shifted off the correct setting. Thus, the aperture ring goes only to f19 (i.e. the half step between f16 and f22, while at the other end, the aperture ring turns one more click past f4 to get actual f4 -- indicated f4 is f4.8 (the half step between f4 and f5.6).

Anyone familiar with how to adjust the aperture ring on these? Note that this is the chrome finish Elmar (1960-65), not the Tele-Elmar. Thanks very much.

 

[__jc]

Hi Nick,

Mine did the same thing. One day I decided it couldn't be too hard to fix so I took it apart. Tiny springs and ball bearings flew everywhere so I ended up taking it into our local Leica service agent and they put it right for me. Cost about $100 I think but I guess it had a bit of a clean up and it snaps into all the right places perfectly now...

 

[KoNickon]

Exactly what I was afraid of! Guess I'll not try a DIY on this. Thanks very much.

 

[mdarnton]

I tried to fix something like that on my 90/4 Elmar once. I loosened a couple of innocent-looking screws, and all the diaphragm leaves fell out into the middle of the lens. I won't be tampering again.