Zeiss Biogon 25mm lens query

[Grober]

How can I buy a genuine Zeiss part in the United States?

Anyone have contact info for Zeiss parts in the USA?

I wish to purchase the bayonet mount for the Zeiss 35mm lens so I can convert my existing 25mm Biogon to engage the 24mm frame on the Leica M8.

(No, I don't have the M8 yet but hopes run high that it'll be here before the snow starts flying.)

Thanks!

-g

 

[SDK]

From what I've read, there is no service center in the US for ZI cameras and ZM lenses. I don't know for sure. You could send a message to Zeiss at http://www.zeiss.de/C12567A8003B58B9?Open from the Contacts link on the upper right side of the page. Maybe they can ship you the part from Germany or Japan.

 

[jano]

When you say bring up the 24mm frameline.. you mean the same one that the leica 24mm lens brings up? Or an actual 24mm frameline.. I'm guessing you mean the former. Cause the later won't work with the crop factor....

 

[Grober]

When you say bring up the 24mm frameline.. you mean the same one that the leica 24mm lens brings up? Or an actual 24mm frameline.. I'm guessing you mean the former. Cause the later won't work with the crop factor....

Jano,

I want the ZM Biogon 25 to act just like the Leica 24 when it's on the M8. Yes, I will use the same lens on film bodies but in that case I'm always using the extra Zeiss 25/28 viewfinder so I don't care what frame is displayed in the body. I realize the effective field of field (EFOV) is different on film bodies and the M8. I'm cool with that. Since my only 28mm lens is an old Canon LTM, I suspect I'll be wanting to use the Bioogon a lot.

(After digesting of the considerable expense of buying the M8 itself, I'll ask Santa for the new Leica 28/2.8.)

The M8 displays both the 24 & 35 frames at the same time. Having the ZM Biogon's rear mount changed to the ZM 35 mount "may" solve the problem. Finding a genuine ZM 35 bayonet ring from a reliable source is the trick. Armed with the new part, I can have a local camera repair shop swap the rings.

I have e-mailed Zeiss in Germany with no response yet. If they answer the question, I'll post the information on this site.

-g

 

[Chaser]

If you decide that the old canon is surplus to your needs let me know I may be interested in buying it.

Jano,

I want the ZM Biogon 25 to act just like the Leica 24 when it's on the M8. Yes, I will use the same lens on film bodies but in that case I'm always using the extra Zeiss 25/28 viewfinder so I don't care what frame is displayed in the body. I realize the effective field of field (EFOV) is different on film bodies and the M8. I'm cool with that. Since my only 28mm lens is an old Canon LTM, I suspect I'll be wanting to use the Bioogon a lot.

(After digesting of the considerable expense of buying the M8 itself, I'll ask Santa for the new Leica 28/2.8.)

The M8 displays both the 24 & 35 frames at the same time. Having the ZM Biogon's rear mount changed to the ZM 35 mount "may" solve the problem. Finding a genuine ZM 35 bayonet ring from a reliable source is the trick. Armed with the new part, I can have a local camera repair shop swap the rings.

I have e-mailed Zeiss in Germany with no response yet. If they answer the question, I'll post the information on this site.

-g

 

[jtm]

Isn't this a situation where you can just file down the frame selector lug on the mount? I know many people do this themselves for the CV 40mm f/1.4 lens, and that it's a common service from the normal Leica repair folk.

 

[Grober]

Isn't this a situation where you can just file down the frame selector lug on the mount? I know many people do this themselves for the CV 40mm f/1.4 lens, and that it's a common service from the normal Leica repair folk.

John, you haven't seen my metal working skills...

-g

 

[Dougg]

IS there actually a problem? I expect the Biogon 25 will bring up the same framelines as the Elmarit 24, unless you know otherwise it's probably ok as it comes.

 

[SDK]

IS there actually a problem? I expect the Biogon 25 will bring up the same framelines as the Elmarit 24, unless you know otherwise it's probably ok as it comes.

The ZM25 brings up the 28/90 frameset. Apparently not the same as the Leica 24mm.

 

[Dougg]

The ZM25 brings up the 28/90 frameset. Apparently not the same as the Leica 24mm.

Um, that seems odd as well as awkward. Little lack of coordination there... 🙁

 

[Grober]

OK. The consensus seems to be that there are NO parts available in the USA for this lens.

And Zeiss in Germany doesn't answer e-mails (so far.)

Anyyone have an address for Zeiss in Japan?

Thanks!

-g

 

[jtm]

You might try Don Goldberg (DAG), or Cameraquest, or some other reputable repair shop that works on Leica (and related) stuff, and ask if they will adjust the lens mount for you. You can reasure them that you know the operation is non-reversible.

For a while (maybe still), Stephen Gandy at Cameraquest was offering, for an extra $25 or so, to adjust the mount of the CV 40mm Nokton lens so that it brought up the 35mm frame instead of the 50mm frame. I realize that Stephen is not selling the Zeiss lenses, but this is at least evidence that the operation is possible and not too expensive.

 

[Grober]

You might try Don Goldberg (DAG), or Cameraquest, or some other reputable repair shop that works on Leica (and related) stuff, and ask if they will adjust the lens mount for you. You can reasure them that you know the operation is non-reversible.

For a while (maybe still), Stephen Gandy at Cameraquest was offering, for an extra $25 or so, to adjust the mount of the CV 40mm Nokton lens so that it brought up the 35mm frame instead of the 50mm frame. I realize that Stephen is not selling the Zeiss lenses, but this is at least evidence that the operation is possible and not too expensive.

Thanks. I purchased this Biogon from Stephen during the short time he was allowed to sell Zeiss lenses. I'll query him on the possibility for a retrofit; I hadn't thought of that possibility.

-g