jacksparrow Posted May 11, 2007 Share #1 Posted May 11, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hi all, Just got a new macro Elmar 90mm f/4 and while the extendable front part seem sturdy enough I'm kind of surprised because it's so soft it moves out of the barrel just tilting the camera. Is it normal? I would have thought it would require more effort to pull out the front element out of the lens barrel. Also, the front piece if fixed after turning counter clock-wise, surprisingly again this can be done with the black dot that marks the f being not only at the top... again, is that normal? thanks Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted May 11, 2007 Posted May 11, 2007 Hi jacksparrow, Take a look here new macro elmar 90mm/4. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
j. borger Posted May 11, 2007 Share #2 Posted May 11, 2007 Mine acts the same ............. so i suppose it is normal. It took me a while to figure out how to turn, pul and extend to get the f-stops markings on top ... Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jacksparrow Posted May 11, 2007 Author Share #3 Posted May 11, 2007 weird... still... I think it's too loose It took me a while to figure out the turn-to-lock mechanism too! :-) thanks J. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wizard Posted May 11, 2007 Share #4 Posted May 11, 2007 weird... still... I think it's too loose No, mine is the same. Locking it, however, takes some force (at least with my sample). At first I was too afraid to exert the necessary force, and as a result, the f-stop marking never lined up correctly, until I found out that you really have to turn it until you feel a mechanical abutment. Locking is possible in at least two different positions, as with the macro adapter you will use the lens "upside down", so to say. It should all be in the manual, though, just read it Andy Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andit Posted May 11, 2007 Share #5 Posted May 11, 2007 Hi J, Have the same lens and had the same problems. When extending the lens, before locking, just turn the lens head a little left or right. It seems that there are hidden screw heads that get in the way - normally when turning just a bit left or right the head comes out another 2 to 3mm. That is what I found when I was getting soft photo's. I'm attaching a sample photo just to show how sharp this lens can be. This was a test, so composition etc may not be correct. (Taken at f/5.6 and 1/250sec) Hope this helps. Andreas (Sorry, forgot that I could not attach images using quick reply) Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/23860-new-macro-elmar-90mm4/?do=findComment&comment=252344'>More sharing options...
jacksparrow Posted May 11, 2007 Author Share #6 Posted May 11, 2007 Thanks everyone, looking forward to using it, by the way, there was no manual with the lens, had to figure out by myself the whole pull-turn-turn thingy nice duck, really sharp! :-) Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
xjr Posted May 11, 2007 Share #7 Posted May 11, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) Thanks everyone, looking forward to using it, by the way, there was no manual with the lens, had to figure out by myself the whole pull-turn-turn thingy nice duck, really sharp! :-) If new how come ''no manual'' ? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jacksparrow Posted May 11, 2007 Author Share #8 Posted May 11, 2007 Q: "If new how come ''no manual'' ?" A: Dunno I just got the test certificate, the warranty card and the 6-bit instructions leaflet. No manual. Just another thing, anyone ever used the hood? it's massive! and looks like it might scratch the front element when attaching/removing. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
marknorton Posted May 12, 2007 Share #9 Posted May 12, 2007 Mine is not as loose as that but it's not tight. I don't think it's a problem. I don't like the hood either, those claws will definitely scratch the lens. Look for a 39mm after market hood, though I have not yet found one which allows you to use the nice felt lined lens cap. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ecaton Posted May 12, 2007 Share #10 Posted May 12, 2007 Hi all,Just got a new macro Elmar 90mm f/4 and while the extendable front part seem sturdy enough I'm kind of surprised because it's so soft it moves out of the barrel just tilting the camera. Is it normal? I would have thought it would require more effort to pull out the front element out of the lens barrel. Also, the front piece if fixed after turning counter clock-wise, surprisingly again this can be done with the black dot that marks the f being not only at the top... again, is that normal? thanks Got mine a couple of weeks ago. To pull out the front part requires a little effort, and there is a consistent, yet smooth and silky resistance all the way out. I think this is how it should be. And how do you like the lens' performance otherwise? Cheers Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jacksparrow Posted May 12, 2007 Author Share #11 Posted May 12, 2007 haven't developed the first roll yet. Hopefully I can get something worth posting. Other than the smothness and the hood it's a nice lens and I'm looking forward to using it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
London Lad Posted May 22, 2007 Share #12 Posted May 22, 2007 I have just picked up a new macro Elmar 90mm f/4 as well. On my lens there is a tiny set screw in the chrome part of the lens barrel which is only visible when the barrel is fully extended. On my copy this screw protrudes from the barrel a few thou and binds slightly as the barrel is pushed in. Can you guys check your macro Elmars and tell me if the screw protrudes at all and if there is any binding please. Does anyone know what this screw does? I think a quarter turn in would stop it catching but I don't want to move it if its an adjustment and not just an assembly screw. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andit Posted May 22, 2007 Share #13 Posted May 22, 2007 Hi Graham, Yes the screw is visible on mine as well. There is however no binding on mine. When you extend the lens, it does happen that the lens seems to be extended all the way but the screw is not visible. This leads to the soft focus discussed above. If you turn the lens barrel just a bit to the left or right, you can then extend it all the way and this screw becomes visible - tack sharp focus. Andreas Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
London Lad Posted May 22, 2007 Share #14 Posted May 22, 2007 Hi Andreas, I can extend and lock the lens with no problem (the screw is then exposed) It is when I retract the lens that it binds slightly. This happens about 5mm before the lens is fully retracted. I can prevent this by applying a slight 'leaning' to one side as I retract the lens and I am convinced that it is the slightly protruding screw that is causing the binding. I will get my jewellers screwdrivers out later and gently try a quarter of a turn in if it moves easily. How do you guys find focusing at say 1 meter f4 ? I think my copy back focuses slightly on my M8. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
vanhulsenbeek Posted May 22, 2007 Share #15 Posted May 22, 2007 How do you guys find focusing at say 1 meter f4 ? I think my copy back focuses slightly on my M8. The whole barel-turning and focusing prcedure is amply explained in the Manual. Just doing exactly as it is written, my lens works fine. I thought my copy also back focusses a little, but how much appears to depend on the subject and how straight or oblique my camera is towards the subject. Maybe there is a focusing learning curve involved - I am just coming back to Leica M after two years AF - and we should not forget that 90 mm is at the edge of the focusiing capibilities of RF. So when in doubt: give it a little extra DOF! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
London Lad Posted May 22, 2007 Share #16 Posted May 22, 2007 Hi, As I said before, I have no problem with the barrel-turning and focusing procedure. It's the small screw and binding that I was looking for info on. Re the back focus, I think you are right, another 'M series compromise' to be adjusted to! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
London Lad Posted May 22, 2007 Share #17 Posted May 22, 2007 OK, I have fixed the binding problem, 1/4 turn off the small screw and all is well. As a matter of interest the screw has something to do with the aperture diaphragm. If you over tighten it the aperture ring becomes stiff at the f22 end. There is a happy medium where it has its head flush with the barrel, doesn't bind and the appature ring is free throught its range. Focus: fully open at say 2 meters or less it back focuses, fully open past say 5 meters and there is no back focus. DOF at most apertures is less that shown on the DOF scale by some margin. I find the same as Vanhulsenbeek in that how much it back focuses appears to depend on the subject and how straight or oblique my camera is towards the subject as well as range to subject. I think I'll live with the lens but I don't think I could use it on a film camera, I wouldn't be able to afford all the film I would need for all the focus bracketing I would need to do. Now then next question, how do you folks get on focusing with the macro adapter !? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
vanhulsenbeek Posted May 22, 2007 Share #18 Posted May 22, 2007 Now then next question, how do you folks get on focusing with the macro adapter !? Ah: that's where I doubled my tests last night: without and with adapter. Results: pretty much the same: depending on the subject and how straight or oblique the camera is towards the subject. In a few words: nothing to return the lens to the shop for, but a am a little worried how much bracketing will be necessary. Better add some DOF by giving a few more stops. The Adapter is an M compromise too, and not really a system made for macro ( Viso excluded). So: great for the occasional semi-macro shot when travelling light, but not made for 1:1 low-light macro conditions. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
christer Posted May 23, 2007 Share #19 Posted May 23, 2007 Sorry to hear you have such problems with your Macro Elmars. I have an old Elmar-C 90mm f/4. The distance setting is just a tiny little bit stiff - yet very smooth. There are no problems with collapsibilty. None at all. It has got a rubber sunshade. I keep it on the lens at all times as it folds backwards over the lens when not in use. Nice shock absorber. I think I could handle the problems caused by the new Macro Elmar and described above, so if somebode wants his probles solved, we could do a straight swap. Regads, Chris Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
carstenw Posted May 24, 2007 Share #20 Posted May 24, 2007 I also recently bought this lens, and my screw is flush, I have to exert a little force to pull the lens out, and it is very silky smooth, and I initially also thought my copy was focusing too far to the front, but when I went out the next day with the 1.25x loupe, almost every shot was dead on. I think it just requires some getting used to. Very sharp when you nail it! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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