135mm F2.8 Elmarit question

[Cold_Viking]

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If I focus on my subject though the goggles the image always ends up being out of focus and in fact, the focus hits a point way behind what I focussed on (backfocus?) But if I measure out the distance to the subject and focus based on the distance markings on the barrel of the lens then its tack sharp at every distance, right on the nose! And yes there is a slight difference on the focus ring when compared to my eye focus. So it sounds to me like the lens does not need calibrating but is it possible that the goggles need calibrating? Anyone have this done?

 

All my other 6 Leica lenses focus perfectly both through the viewfinder and measured on the barrel on my M9 so I'm a little stumped on this one.

 

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

Thanks!

[ho_co]

Vik, that problem is one of the reasons the 135/2.8 was discontinued.

 

It's relatively easy to knock the viewfinder magnifier out of alignment, but Leica (and probably others as well) can adjust it.

 

Sorry you've got the problem, but that's a dynamite lens, and since it magnifies the rangefinder image, once it's properly adjusted, it offers the most accurate focus of any 135 lens for CRF.

[stonearabiapix]

I have had focusing issues with this lens as well.

Mine was sent to DAG camera and was eventually fixed after two trips to Wis.

I suggest you take sample pix of the issue, and send them along with the lens.

Also give a detailed account of the problem.

If you are going to use this lens for mainly close portrait type work, or for mainly distant use let him know that also, you may have to chose a focus point that suits your needs.

Good luck, my lens was gone for more than six months, and DAG was not responsive to my inquiries.

But the lens is functioning properly now.

T.

[haroldp]

I had this lens adjusted years back on my M6, and it is spot on on my m*s, and m9 .

 

It is an excellent lens, but large for leica (small for Nikon).

 

regards ... H

[vanhulsenbeek]

Some people love this lens, others hate it. I belong to the first category, be it after some disappointing first tries.

I quote links here to a panorama made with it in Kgalagadi NP. (SA) and a picture made in Amsterdam's harbour:

 

Zenfolio | Sander van Hulsenbeek Photography | Sail 2010

South Africa and Namibia Panorama's

 

Mine is not coded, as you can see with the lens details of the picture.

 

Two caveats:

-it is a brick

-you cannot use it with the M8/M9 grip as it gets stuck when you put it on the camera

[Cold_Viking]

I had this lens adjusted years back on my M6, and it is spot on on my m*s, and m9 .

 

It is an excellent lens, but large for leica (small for Nikon).

 

regards ... H

 

Thanks for the reply.

May I ask where you had the lens serviced? Was it just the goggles that needed calibrating?

[Cold_Viking]

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Thanks for the help everyone.

[gyoung]

I recently acquired a 135 Elmarit, which needed some resucitation (for a VERY good price), the 'goggles' had been knocked and the rangefinder was out. If you do a search of the forum you can discover how to adjust the goggles, there are two very small screws on the goggles to adjust horizontal and vertical rangefinder images. I did this and got it pretty well right subjectively, using the moon as infinity. Trying out on an M3 was quite succesful, but less so on the M6, even though its designed for the 0.72 finder I suspect more magnification is needed for reliable focussing.

The lens is on its way back from Malcolm Taylor after a clean and adjust, I'm looking forward to using it! Then I will need a 16462 to put it on the Visoflex and Nikon via adaptor.

 

Gerry

[jacarape]

Hi Cold, the 135/2.8 is a big honker but I'm sorry you had these problems. I use it on an MP an like it. Best of luck to get it sorted as it really works pretty well.