Nikkor ltm stumped

[Smitty]

In front of me I have 2-nikkor 3.5cm ltm lenses. One 3.5 the other 2.5.
The 2.5 version will focus out to infinity with the tab binding long before it reaches the infinity lock on the lens.
The 3.5 version goes all the way to infinity lock but will not rangefinder focus on infinity.
I have tried these with several adapters including genuine Leitz.

I also have a 2.8cm 3.5 ltm lens that focuses perfectly.

What the heck is going on??

Thanks, Steve

 

[Phil_F_NM]

What cameras are these failing to work on again? A Leica M8?
Can you take and post photos of your adapters?

If I had the lenses and camera in front of me, I'd be able to tell you what is causing it just after a look and some fitting but the internet hasn't gotten to teleportation quite yet, so we'll have to settle on discussion. Teleportation sure would be cool though:
"Hey, have a taste of this 23 year old rye I got from the Willett distillery"
*ZAP*
"Wow, that is a fantastic poison!"
😀

Phil Forrest

 

[Highway 61]

Have you tried them on a Leica thread mount body ?

 

[Dez]

I suspect that at least the f2.5 one has been reassembled incorrectly, with the focusing helical engaging the threads at the wrong start. Something similar may be wrong with the f3.5 one as well, but I can't tell from your description.
- Does the RF work at all?
- Is there a massive error in the RF reading when focused to infinity, or just a slight inaccuracy?
- Does the lens helical appear to have come right to the end of its thread when the focus infinity stop is reached?

Cheers,
Dez

 

[ferider]

Steve, I've now replied to three of your respective threads, not sure where the disconnect is. Feel free to send me email if something is not clear about the following. Also, pictures of your lenses and|or adapters would help.

--------

Please have a look at the picture on top of page http://www.cameraquest.com/adaptltm.htm

There are two types of LTM/M adapters. Type 1 is not fully round, but has a carving out of about a 3rd of the adapter. The middle adapter in the above picture is an example. Type 2 is fully round, which makes coding easier. The left and the right adapters in the above picture are type 2.

For your 35/2.5 you need a type 1 adapter. Otherwise the infinity lock will bind against the adapter. On ebay, here is an example from Leitz: http://www.ebay.com/itm/111024640573 (no association with the seller, just to show you a picture, you might want to wait for a cheaper one). There is also a chance that on your M8 the infinity lock of the 35/2.5 will hit the frameline selector. It did on my M6 and M4P; it does not on M2 and M3.

With my 28/3.5, I also need a type 1 adapter.

You said in another thread that the lenses work on your M2/M3, which is why I assume it is an adapter problem.

Generally RF cam position in 35/2.5 and 28/3.5 can be adjusted by loosening the screws pointed at by the arrow shown in the picture below:

But I suggest not to touch unless you are sure of what you are doing.

I can not help with the 35/3.5, since I have never used one.

Roland.

 

[Smitty]

Well regarding adapters: I have a 35/135 that I purchased new on the bay for $19.95. I can turn the focus on any nikkor ltm lens a half turn before it begins to move the rangefinder. I guess that would be junk.
With the other adapters the focus works fine but exhibit the problems explained above. I can focus on closer objects and it is right on the money.

 

[Smitty]

Here are the adapters, I will post lens pictures in a moment.

 

[Smitty]

the lens

 

[Smitty]

"Can you focus smoothly from minimum focus distance to infinity with the lens mounted on an adapter, but not on a camera?"

yes

 

[ferider]

Good. Thanks for the photos, all type 1 adapters.

Can you mount the adapters on your lenses, and show us where the 12'o clock adapter notch is compared to the aperture dot of the lens ? Or even better, photos of the rear of the lens with the adapters screwed on ?

Thanks.

 

[Smitty]

Let me know if this is clear enough:

 

[kermaier]

The 35/3.5 looks like it's missing the minimum focus stopping post; I'd bet it's been incorrectly reassembled in other ways as well.

 

[enasniearth]

In front of me I have 2-nikkor 3.5cm ltm lenses. One 3.5 the other 2.5.
The 2.5 version will focus out to infinity with the tab binding long before it reaches the infinity lock on the lens.
The 3.5 version goes all the way to infinity lock but will not rangefinder focus on infinity.
I have tried these with several adapters including genuine Leitz.

I also have a 2.8cm 3.5 ltm lens that focuses perfectly.

What the heck is going on??

Thanks, Steve

The powers that be are telling you that 28 is your focal length ,
Do not question shoot with the 28 at all times .