M9 and Tele-Elmar 135 Focus Problems

[Moss1310]

Hi Everyone- Im looking for some advice and information. I bought a used Tele Elmar 135 f/4 that looks to be in great condition. However when I put it on my M9, My viewfinder focus doesn't work. When adjusting my distance ringe, the lens expands and retracts, but there is no change on the focus screen. I manually selected on my camera menu, but not sure what the problem could be. Any ideas?

 

[jaapv]

when you look at the back is there a square connector moving in and out with focusing?

 

[Richard G]

Yes, it does sound like the oblong tongue of metal which pushes on the focus cam is not moving or not present.

 

[jaapv]

To add: the camera menu has no influence on focusing. The system is fully mechanical. I the case of (older) Elmar 135 lenses, the focusing mechanism is located inside the lens barrel and the square-looking "tongue" pushes against the roller at the top of the camera mount. If somebody removed it or if it does not move, the lens is probably irreparable, as there are no spare parts any more for this mechanism.
Unfortunately the use of a barrel from a donor lens is very nearly impossible too. The focus mechanism was filed down to tolerance to accommodate the variation of the individual lens heads. Therefore the lens number is scratched into the inside of the removable barrel, to ensure that the two would stay together. When buying such a lens it is essential to check for matching numbers.
The lens can be used on an M240 with EVF, however.

 

[Moss1310]

Thank you jaapv and Richard G!!! That is exactly what it was, The metal tongue was stuck. I gave it a little push and it popped into place and now is focusing. The lens looks like it was rarely if ever used so I should probably go get it CLA'd. Thanks again for the advice.

 

[Huss]

Thank you jaapv and Richard G!!! That is exactly what it was, The metal tongue was stuck. I gave it a little push and it popped into place and now is focusing. The lens looks like it was rarely if ever used so I should probably go get it CLA'd. Thanks again for the advice.

Only get it CLA'd if it needs it. If it is taking focussing fine now, just use it.

 

[Moss1310]

Thanks Huss.

 

[jaapv]

Thank you jaapv and Richard G!!! That is exactly what it was, The metal tongue was stuck. I gave it a little push and it popped into place and now is focusing. The lens looks like it was rarely if ever used so I should probably go get it CLA'd. Thanks again for the advice.

Not too bad an idea to give it a CLA. With clean optics this is a briljant lens and very close in quality to the current APO Telyt

 

[peterm1]

This is one of my favourite long lenses for Leica M. Relatively inexpensive, relatively mall for this focal length and superbly sharp.