Leica LTM What Lubricant For My 50 Elmar

Leica M39 screw mount bodies/lenses
gb hill

gb hill

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I've noticed my 50/3.5 Elmar ltm is squeaky & wants to stick as I focus. Suspecting the brass threads are dry?

What type of lubricant is recommended or perhaps another solution for a fix so that the focus will be smooth. I have grease & also some very thin 00 oil.
 
I have heard the original lubricant was whale oil but you may want to check with a technician to see what type of synthetic they are using now.
 
Having CLA'd a bunch of LTM lenses, it comes down to how heavy you like the focus throw. I prefer mine quite heavy, as I zone focus for street work and I don't like to worry about accidentally shifting the focus. I use synthetic wheel bearing grease to achieve that effect. For a lighter throw, general purpose synthetic grease (Superlube is the brand I use) works fine. Clean the threads thoroughly with Ronsonol and a stiff brush, apply grease, work the focus action several times, remove excess grease. Done.
 
Be very careful with lubricants. Some types will migrate across the surface of the metal and can leach into the glass which would ruin the lens.
 
I use white Lithium grease on my I-22 lenses, apply sparingly after thoroughly cleaning the threads with naphtha or alcohol.
 
02Pilot said:
Having CLA'd a bunch of LTM lenses, it comes down to how heavy you like the focus throw. I prefer mine quite heavy, as I zone focus for street work and I don't like to worry about accidentally shifting the focus. I use synthetic wheel bearing grease to achieve that effect. For a lighter throw, general purpose synthetic grease (Superlube is the brand I use) works fine. Clean the threads thoroughly with Ronsonol and a stiff brush, apply grease, work the focus action several times, remove excess grease. Done.
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This. I used bearing grease on my 1932 Elmar. Very smooth, just the right weight of movement. Lighter bicycle grease was no good: the old threads still hinted at binding. Light oil would be no good at all.
 
Harry Lime said:
Be very careful with lubricants. Some types will migrate across the surface of the metal and can leach into the glass which would ruin the lens.
Click to expand...

This was one of the reasons for me posting before jumping in with any ol lubricant or grease. I have some synthetic grease & yes I like a heavy throw.

Thanks for everyone's input thus far.
 
Very useful info. Thanks everyone and gb hill for asking the question.

I'm tempted to suggest RFF could do a group buy on a whale if anyone fancies going authentic retro :D .
 
I use Helimax for all my lenses, including collapsible Industar-22 and 50.

They work well even when it's -5 Celsius degree, and I think they can go much lower.

So far haven't seen migration ruining glass. My earliest self-serviced lens was done 2013.

Can't commend on throw strength though accidentally changed focusing rarely happen to me.
 
I am not an engineer, no where near, however, l have a battered elmar that l oiled with a needle oiler with some fine grade oil and everything is nice and smooth, if s duffer like me can bring a battered elmar to life there is hope for us all... have a go but easy does it....good luck
 
lxmike said:
I am not an engineer, no where near, however, l have a battered elmar that l oiled with a needle oiler with some fine grade oil and everything is nice and smooth, if s duffer like me can bring a battered elmar to life there is hope for us all... have a go but easy does it....good luck
Click to expand...

Last night I took a Q tip & dipped it in alcohol, then patted off the Q tip so the alcohol wouldn't run everywhere. I was amazed how dirty the Q tip got. Just looking at the brass threads with my eye I could of swore it was clean. The lens immediately freed up from binding but still made a bit of a squeak noise so I applies just the tiniest bit of grease & worked it through the threads. Made sure there were no excess & Wa La! It's so smooth. I don't remember this lens focusing so smooth.

I worked the focus again when I got up this morning & still feels so sweet...very nice. This lens is on a Zorki 2c & now more than ever I want a Barnack to fit this lens on.:eek: The elmar is a post war 1946 coated lens according to the Leica serial #. Yea this lens deserves a Barnack. Wonder what I can sell...:rolleyes:
 
gb hill said:
Last night I took a Q tip & dipped it in alcohol, then patted off the Q tip so the alcohol wouldn't run everywhere. I was amazed how dirty the Q tip got. Just looking at the brass threads with my eye I could of swore it was clean. The lens immediately freed up from binding but still made a bit of a squeak noise so I applies just the tiniest bit of grease & worked it through the threads. Made sure there were no excess & Wa La! It's so smooth. I don't remember this lens focusing so smooth.

I worked the focus again when I got up this morning & still feels so sweet...very nice. This lens is on a Zorki 2c & now more than ever I want a Barnack to fit this lens on.:eek: The elmar is a post war 1946 coated lens according to the Leica serial #. Yea this lens deserves a Barnack. Wonder what I can sell...:rolleyes:
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Good hear it worked out good for you.

The 50 Elmar and their FSU and Japanese clones are easy to clean and lube.

If you got a good and reliable Zorki 2c you will not see a great deal of difference with the Barnack Leica other than the infrequently used slow speeds.

I got 2 Zorki 2c cameras, one is minty and works good but the film wind is not the smoothest and the other is a well worn 2c that is very smooth and reliable. I find the RF on both of these FSU camera to be better than on any screw mount Leica that has the original RF mirror still in it.
 
xayraa33 said:
Good hear it worked out good for you.

The 50 Elmar and their FSU and Japanese clones are easy to clean and lube.

If you got a good and reliable Zorki 2c you will not see a great deal of difference with the Barnack Leica other than the infrequently used slow speeds.

I got 2 Zorki 2c cameras, one is minty and works good but the film wind is not the smoothest and the other is a well worn 2c that is very smooth and reliable. I find the RF on both of these FSU camera to be better than on any screw mount Leica that has the original RF mirror still in it.
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I'm quite pleased thus far with the reliability & handling of the Zorki I have. MOF last night as I was playing at focusing I thought Wow...focusing this camera is a breeze & thinking how clear the focus patch was & clear the VF is. My only dislike to this camera is that it's a bit heavy. People talk of the pocketability of the Barnacks, like perhaps a Leica II without the slow speed dial. I'm content with the speeds of my Zorki & don't need the slow speeds of the later Barnacks.

I admit I don't know much about them but will do some reading up on them. they are quite a fascinating camera. Fall is here & winter is coming & the Zorki does fit nicely into a jacket pocket. Oh...& I put my Gordy strap on it & I like that a lot. (time to make another camera & coffee photo)
Heck before it's over with you may talk me in to staying satisfied with just the Zorki.:D
 
gb hill said:
Last night I took a Q tip & dipped it in alcohol, then patted off the Q tip so the alcohol wouldn't run everywhere. I was amazed how dirty the Q tip got. Just looking at the brass threads with my eye I could of swore it was clean. The lens immediately freed up from binding but still made a bit of a squeak noise so I applies just the tiniest bit of grease & worked it through the threads. Made sure there were no excess & Wa La! It's so smooth. I don't remember this lens focusing so smooth.

I worked the focus again when I got up this morning & still feels so sweet...very nice. This lens is on a Zorki 2c & now more than ever I want a Barnack to fit this lens on.:eek: The elmar is a post war 1946 coated lens according to the Leica serial #. Yea this lens deserves a Barnack. Wonder what I can sell...:rolleyes:
Click to expand...
Hi,

Well done on sorting out the lens.
The Barnack will be like an itch that needs scratching. Until you have one you won't know how much better it is than your Zorki - or not.

I've never used a Zorki, but my 1940 Leica 111c is my go-to camera so I can say about that:
It's small, but it isn't light!
I've stopped using a case for mine when I'm shooting, and just carry it in a jacket pocket with an external viewfinder attached, and lens cap. It is very ergonomic, and kind of "comes-to-hand" very easily.

I find the slow speeds useful for the church shots I'm doing at the moment. It is possible to take a steady hand-held shot at 1/20th, and rested on the back of a chair or a pew or whatever, and using a little beanbag, I regularly shoot at 1 sec - tripods not being allowed in most UK churches.
The Leica rewind, shutter and focus are all very smooth.

Your Elmar lens will be killer. Try to borrow a Barnack to use with it, and see what you think. If you buy one you would be well-advised to factor the price of a CLA in. These cameras are all pretty old by now.

Good luck!

David
 
I use titanium grease for motorbike chains. It doesn't migrate. Spray a bit in a small container, leave it for 10 mins for the solvent to evaporate and apply a bit with a cocktail stick.
 
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