Leica lens doesn't focus properly?

[chris00nj]

I picked up a Leica Elmar 90/f4 screwmount lens from the local camera store. Unfortunately, after taking a roll of film, I found out that all my photos were blurry, except the ones taken at infinity.

Thinking it was my error, as I am new to rangefinders, I took a few more test shots, double checking the distance marking on the lens, and taking my time to make sure they were properly aligned. Well, more blurry photos.

Does anyone know what may cause this? Is it an easy fix?

Update: no, it's not collapsable. It looks a lot like this one (but it's not)
Update #2: I'm using a Voigtlander Bessa R. It takes fine pictures with an 85mm/f2 Canon Serernar (as well as the 35/f2.5 Color Skopar)

 

[madsolitaire]

You didn't mention which rangefinder you're using.

 

[myoptic3]

Well, if your camera works fine w/ other lenses you can eliminate that from the equation. I'd guess that someone took the lens apart and assembled it incorrectly.

 

[Roger Hicks]

Well, if your camera works fine w/ other lenses you can eliminate that from the equation. I'd guess that someone took the lens apart and assembled it incorrectly.

Seconded. I had a 90/4 collapsible that was hopeless too. I just sent it back.

Cheers,

R.

 

[Rob-F]

If the lens is sharp at infinity, then it is OK optically. I never had an f/4 Elmar, but if it is anything like my Elmarit, see if there is a sliding cam in the lens barrel, meant to couple the focusing cam in the barrel to the camera's cam follower. See if it is stuck or sluggish. If it doesn't move freely as you turn the focus collar, then it is not transferring the focus action to the camera. This is an old lens, and the old lubricant on that sliding piece gets gummy. Free it up with a little WD-40. Remove the lens head first so it won't get any WD-40 on it. Clean out the old guck and see if it will slide easily. Add some modern lubricant if desired. Radio shack has a synthetic jellied grease that won't drip all over the place. There is a spring that keep the sliding piece snuggged up against the cam inside the barrel. Make sure the spring is working & the slider is staying in contact with that cam. When all that is OK, try some more shots. It ought to be OK then.

 

[chris00nj]

The focusing cam was sluggish. I sprayed a bunch of lubricant. It freed it up somewhat, but no old gunk really came out. However, it is still sluggish and jumpy between 2.5m and 10m. Although the cam moves with the focusing, it's probably not transferring the focus properly to the camera. I'm going take it back to the store and see if they have any comments (Unfortunately I can't find the reciept!).

Thanks for all of your advice.

 

[LeicaTom]

Yep,

I also had a 4/90 Elmar that was acting up the same way, I traded it away for a 1940 3.5/50 Elmar lens......I`m sticking to my 2/85 Nikkor LTM when I even use something for portraits

Tom