Macro Elmar M ..Defective ???

[D&A]

Hi All,

I had a chance to use the current Leica Macro Elmar M 90mm f4 lens these past few days with the possibility of purchase. I did notice a couple of things which might or might not indicate the lens may have a problem.

1. It's seems apparent that the lens can be extended in any one of four positions. Following Leicas instructions for extending the lens, once the barrel is rotated and then locked into position...the apature "dot" indicating apature should line up perfectly (relatively) with the center focusing mark on the focusing scale (depending which of the two scales one uses...the normal one or close-up one.

The lens I've been using, the apature dot (indicating apature) and focusing mark on the focusing scale are quite a bit off from one another (maybe 15 degrees or more. Although it probably have no effect, it doesn't look right. Does your lens look the same? Which brings me to my second question:

2. The problem above may be due to the fact that when I extend the barrel and turn it to lock in place...it locks via friction, not an audible and defined click as older colapseable have. Does your lens also lock most by friction or can you hear or feel a well defined click?

Thanks in advance.

Dave

 

[palec]

2. I have two collapsible lens - Summar and Elmar-M - and either one does not lock with click, just friction.

 

[D&A]

Hi,

Thanks for your quick response. Now I'll have to wait and see what others who own the macro version say about the apature dot and focusing indicator (on the focusing scale...as to whether these line up on their particular sample of this lens.

Dave

 

[thmk]

1. My Macro-Elmar lines up the aperture dot and focussing mark perfectly.
2. There is indeed no click, just friction.

Cheers
Thomas-Michael

 

[Tim]

1. My Macro-Elmar lines up the aperture dot and focussing mark perfectly.
2. There is indeed no click, just friction.

Cheers
Thomas-Michael

Ditto mine. And yes, there are 4 positions (at 90 Deg, obviously) where the lens can be locked.

When you say a "click"...there is a definite feel of hitting a stop when the lens is turned into place. But no positive lock.

 

[D&A]

Hi Thomas and Tim,

Thanks ever so much for your definitive answers. Indeed the lens I was using was clearly defective and the extension of the barrel was off by approx. 20 degrees. Yes, it doesn't have a "click" and just tightens when fully extended and rotated.

You answers saved me a lot of time determining if the lens was normal or not. Thanks again!

Dave