Leica 35mm Elmar f/3.5

[punkzter]

I picked up a Leica Elmar 35mm f/3.5 lens on the auction site the other week, it arrived yesterday. It was CLA'd by Youxin back in Nov 2017. The glass looks good, but the focus and the aperture are both really stiff. They are smooth, but much harder to operate than my 50mm Elmar of the same era (or any other lens, for that matter).

It's enough that I would consider returning the lens, or sending it back out to Youxin or Dag to look at.

I'm just curious...he showed me the receipt from Youxin, so I believe that it was looked at already, what could cause this?

Thanks,
Brad

 

[mpaniagua]

Most likely lubricant. Probably it was CLA'd and left alone, without use. Probably exercise a bit (a day or two?) to see if it improve?

My Elmar 35mm is quite easy to focus but aperture is a bit stiff. Probably would need a CLA on the future.

Marcelo

 

[punkzter]

Thanks. Yeah, that makes sense.

 

[Erik van Straten]

All the Elmars 35mm f/3.5 are a bit stiff; it is normal; they're small lenses, but have a double focusing thread: one for pulling the optical unit in and out and the other for moving the rangefinder curve. All Leica lenses - except 50mm lenses - have double focusing threads. This is because the rangefinder is standardized for 50mm lenses. The movement of the rangefinder curves of all other lenses must somehow be compensated to mimic the 50mm lenses.


Erik.

 

[punkzter]

Thanks Erik. That wouldn't apply to the aperture adjustment, correct? Because that is also stiff, and again, while smooth, it is somewhat difficult to move.

 

[Erik van Straten]

Yes, but the lever of the aperture is also very small. However, I've seen 35mm Elmars with very smooth aperture levers. If the glass is clear, I would leave the lever as it is, but if there is haze - normal for such a small lens - the lens needs servicing.



Erik.

 

[punkzter]

Gotcha. And yes, that lever is small.

I think I'll send it to Youxin. I think that I can trust him to let me know if I'm correct that things are too stiff or if it's to be expected.

 

[presspass]

I have had one of these for two years. It was stiff to focus and set the aperture and still is. If I use it regularly, both loosen up slightly. Since the images it produces are stellar, I'm going to leave mine alone. Have you shot with yours yet?

 

[punkzter]

It's on my camera now, I've taken some shots with it...haven't finished or developed a roll yet.

It's not really fun to use, as stiff as it is right now, so I'm not sure where I stand on it. I see what you are saying. But I'm leaning towards seeing if Youxin can do anything. And if he can't....it's probably going to find a new home.

 

[punkzter]

lancaster? That's cool, I'm in Harrisburg

 

[Erik van Straten]

The Elmar 35mm is an excellent lens.

Erik.

 

[punkzter]

Erik,

I think you could make any lens produce excellent results.

 

[Erik van Straten]

Erik,

I think you could make any lens produce excellent results.

I wish that was true, but the Elmar 35mm is really a very good lens, even by todays standards.


Erik.

 

[mpaniagua]

The Elmar 35mm is an excellent lens.

Erik.

Thanks for the image Erik.

Marcelo

 

[mpaniagua]

Yes, but the lever of the aperture is also very small. However, I've seen 35mm Elmars with very smooth aperture levers. If the glass is clear, I would leave the lever as it is, but if there is haze - normal for such a small lens - the lens needs servicing.



Erik.

By the way, any idea why is common to find haze on this lens? Mine had it as well. Most of the ones I've seen have it, even on otherwise perfect examples. Lubricant?


Marcelo

 

[xasthur]

I had the 3.5cm elmar when I had my IIIa and M2 (which I believe you bought the M2 from me on ebay Punkzter) and the hood that I used for it, while not being the proper hood I believe it allowed me to easily adjust the stiff aperture as it had the cutout for it and you move the ring on the front of the hood to easily adjust it.

 

[Matthew Runkel]

If, less than two years after the last service, you decide to let someone else try his hand, I can wholeheartedly endorse DAG. My stiff 35mm Elmar f/3.5 returned mechanically perfect and silky smooth, and remains so a year later. It’s a pleasure to use and the results are something special. Mine is coated, from the last batch.

 

[Erik van Straten]

By the way, any idea why is common to find haze on this lens? Mine had it as well. Most of the ones I've seen have it, even on otherwise perfect examples. Lubricant?


Marcelo

The lens is very small, the lubricated mechanical parts are very close to the optical elements, so the evaporating solvents deposit on the lenses easily.


Erik.

 

[punkzter]

That aperture control hood seems really awesome. I'm guessing it's the VALOO? Did you have any issues using that with the 35mm lens? It's designed for the 50mm right?

And yes, I did buy your M2..small world. 🙂

 

[zuiko85]

The lens is very small, the lubricated mechanical parts are very close to the optical elements, so the evaporating solvents deposit on the lenses easily.


Erik.

If the lens has been serviced recently wouldn’t the helical lubricant be some synthetic that out gassed less or not at all? Do modern lubricants still have that problem?