Elmarit 135 2.8 Goggled mystery

[Pickett Wilson]

I bought an Elmarit 135 2.8 with the goggles. Unfortunately, even though every other lens I own focuses to infinity on my M2 and M3, this one doesn't. But, that's not the mystery.

This is clearly the earlier lens. Scalloped focusing ring, two part lens shade, screwed on (rather than cast as one piece) goggles. But the filter size is 55mm and on the body of the lens, just past the focusing scale, it says "Canada" and under that "55." I thought these earlier lenses were Series 7?

Is this some kind of transitional lens?

 

[Bill Blackwell]

Most likely it is a conversion. IIRC, all of the scalloped barrels were manufactured to take Series VII drop-in filters.

Some months back, I had a chat with Don Goldberg ("DAG") about these 135mm goggled lenses. Apparently the Series VII to E55 conversion is neither difficult nor uncommon.

As to your focusing problem - the head can be removed from the scalloped version for use on a Visoflex. Try removing and re-attaching the head and be sure it is screwed on tight.

 

[Pickett Wilson]

Ah, thanks for that information. Didn't know about the conversions.

Yeah, I unscrewed the head and put it back on and that made no difference. I see no apparent problem with the lens, so I guess I'll send it off for adjustment.

 

[LChanyungco]

a valuable bit of insight that Tom Abrahamson shared with me when i asked him why my other (non goggled) lenses focused perfectly on my M3 while my goggled Summaron made my vertical seem off.

"it is fairly common that the rangefinder is "out" with goggled 35's (and 135f2.8). It is not the fault of the camera, but in the prism in the goggles. It can be adjusted by a technician, though I have found it works fine even when it is out a small amount."

 

[Pickett Wilson]

Thanks, LChanyungco. This one is out enough that it needs attention. I'll just have to have it adjusted.

 

[LChanyungco]

hope it gets back to you quickly Picket.