First Attempt: 2mm Allen Key, M9

[Washington]

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The reason I had not noticed the problem is I am about always using wide lenses

stopped down out-of doors. On a few shots I had taken with a wide open 50 I did

have a few poorly focused shots which I blamed on myself. My 90 2.8 Elemarit

which may had given me a clue, but I wasn't using; was so loose at the

focusing tube I was afraid it would fall apart. (the barrel was rotating with the

aperture ring at least an 1/8" back and forth)

As I was in Sherry Krauter's area she was nice enough to have me drive it over and

she fixed it in no time at all. (Thanks again, Sherry) So what I do is try the repaired

lens wide open in her kitchen.... and it was when I downloaded these I did see a problem.

So, I got an eyepiece magnifier and removed the 135 Elmarit head from the Visoflex

mount and back on to the M-mount w/eyes. Lord, it was off at least five feet at 30'!

So, starting with this combo I used the allen key to adjust. Yes, it takes care and

because the smallest rotation of the allen screw makes a big difference when you are

really close. It is very easy to go past the ideal and have to reverse your rotation.

But, there is a happy ending as I am super close. When I get home I'll be able to set up proper targets. Anyway, it's nothing to be afraid of.

Sherry with newly repaired 90:

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[bocaburger]

You're close enough with Sherry to get invited to her kitchen, and you're adjusting your own rangefinder? Seriously?

 

I went through the tedium of adjusting mine (needed more than just the "allen key adjustment") to avoid shipping it 1000 miles and waiting god knows how many weeks, but if I had someone of Sherry's caliber nearby I would never have done it myself.

[Washington]

You misunderstood. It was only after I got home and downloaded the photos

taken with the 90 at Sherry's did I notice a problem with the focus. And, besides,

she was kind enough to fix the loose lens, it would be very improper for me to

request something else! She's one busy lady. Besides, I live out west and I'm traveling.

[tdtaylor]

I made the mistake of calling her at 9:00am one morning. She was polite enough, but she mentioned the "rule" is do not call before noon- she is a morning person. Love the picture- could have identified her even not having visited!

[Washington]

Yes, she works all night and gets up late and has coffee and get's back to work.

She's a great human being....

[lars_bergquist]

My own experience – and with a 90mm Elmarit-M, too – is that wrenching the roller may not cure the problem. All my M lenses are now in good focus at short-to-medium ranges, but infinity is off. Now, I'm a short term photographer; infinity can wait. But the camera goes to Will van Manen after the holidays.

 

And he has a turn-around time of about one week. I can live with that.

 

The old man from the Age of Screwdriver Comedy

[bocaburger]

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My own experience – and with a 90mm Elmarit-M, too – is that wrenching the roller may not cure the problem. All my M lenses are now in good focus at short-to-medium ranges, but infinity is off.

 

"Wrenching the roller" aka "Allen Key Adjustment" is for one purpose and one purpose only: so that the rangefinder images coincide on an image at infinity (or, a km/mile roughly) with the lens at the infinity stop. It should only be adjusted on an image at infinity. If close focus is subsequently fine, then nothing further need be done. If however, close focus is still "off", the gain (arm length) has to be adjusted, after which infinity should be checked and readjusted if necessary. Adjusting the roller cam eccentric to cure a close-focus problem, if the arm length is in need of adjustment, will surely result in focus error at longer distances. Liken it to the sheet on your bed: if it's too short and you pull it up to cover your neck, you'll uncover your feet

[Washington]

Yes, both you folks are right. I wish I knew more about it myself as it's mechanical.

I just can't really check it out critically until I get home and have some time.

Suffice to say it will be ok until then. Back when I was much younger I had an

M3 repair manual and I used to take mine apart just to see how it all worked.

Alas, it now has the dreaded prism cement failure and is useless.

[jaapv]

The Allen key adjustment is for infinity - but it does influence the closeup adjustment that is deeper in - so using it to adjust the close range will spoil the whole RF adjustment. I advise you to take the camera to a qualified technician.

[newyorkone]

Sherry is wonderful and if you ever get a chance to meet her and have a chat, it is the most enlightening and amazing experience. She is truly one of a kind in the best sense of the expression.

 

I once dropped an M8 with a Noctilux and she was kind enough to let me drive it over very late at night and take a look at it. The M8 was fine, but the Noctilux was sticking near infinity. I was so scared that I might have killed a $5000 lens! She went back to her work area while I watched some TV and she was back again in less than 30 minutes and my lens was good as new. I could have kissed her, but that would have been inappropriate

 

Yes, she is definitely NOT a morning person so don't ever call her before noon. She's a night owl like me.

[Washington]

jaapv, I agree! I was only pointing out that this is a "make-do" until I get

back. I have no other choice.

[jaapv]

Exactly my way of thinking

[Washington]

Oh dear, I have been doing make-shift but well measured tests on all

my lenses for most of the day. Well, my 50 I have spot on across the board

but as for others.... you don't want to know. All I can say is I read this blog

by Dante Stella once but I didn't want to believe it.... sweet denial. It's true

however.... at least in my case.

 

Dante Stella

[tobey bilek]

There are two adjustment points, one meter and infinity. You can adjust the roller all day and you will not get focus near to far perfect if the close is off.

 

Check your close at one meter from the sensor and then on a star at night for far. Readjust both as necessary so they are both correct. 50mm lenses have a one meter marking for this.

 

M film cameras have a rubber plug in the bottom for screwdriver acess to the short adjustment. Digi cameras, I have no cluebut .I will be finding out sometime.

 

But before you go screwing up a camera, make sure the lenses are collimnated properly or you adjust the camera to a bad standard.

[Washington]

Thank you Toby, and everyone else too for your kind support.

Yes, I do believe my 135 (with eyes) is really a mess. On the Visoflex

it was just fine, on the M-mount just awful. Could be the eyes are outtawhack

or the focusing mount or what? A lot of variables here. But, from 50 down

things look good with the exception of the 28 f2 which is a little off but close

enough for what I will be doing. Thanks again folks!!!

[scsambrook]

Yes, both you folks are right. I wish I knew more about it myself as it's mechanical.

I just can't really check it out critically until I get home and have some time.

Suffice to say it will be ok until then. Back when I was much younger I had an

M3 repair manual and I used to take mine apart just to see how it all worked.

Alas, it now has the dreaded prism cement failure and is useless.

 

Not sure if you'd want to send your M3 across the Atlantic, but if so you can probably get it fixed at - CAMERA REPAIRS & RESTORATION - LUTON , ENGLAND - and at a reasonable cost.

[EJohnE]

Thank you Toby, and everyone else too for your kind support.

Yes, I do believe my 135 (with eyes) is really a mess. On the Visoflex

it was just fine, on the M-mount just awful. Could be the eyes are outtawhack

or the focusing mount or what? A lot of variables here. But, from 50 down

things look good with the exception of the 28 f2 which is a little off but close

enough for what I will be doing. Thanks again folks!!!

 

I had a 135 (Hektor) which had a shim between the mount and lens head. Could your lens have originally had the same, and been lost? If the lens actually focuses "past" infinity, perhaps that may be the problem????

 

John.

[Washington]

Both Above: I did read the website out of Lutton, England but it bothered me

that I could not get in touch with him by eMail. I mean, it's a great education

to read but I guess I best try the telephone or snail mail.

 

I too was wondering about shim stock in the case of the 135mm. I think you

may be correct as it is now focusing wayyyy past a target... not at infinity (which

is off too) but at about 60m.

[jaapv]

Just five words: Kamera Service Will van Manen.

 

Both Above: I did read the website out of Lutton, England but it bothered me

that I could not get in touch with him by eMail. I mean, it's a great education

to read but I guess I best try the telephone or snail mail.

 

I too was wondering about shim stock in the case of the 135mm. I think you

may be correct as it is now focusing wayyyy past a target... not at infinity (which

is off too) but at about 60m.

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Hallo,

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