ploafmaster Posted February 8, 2011 Share #1 Posted February 8, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hi everybody! First of all, if this is the wrong forum for a repair-type question, please forgive a newbie and point me in the right direction... So: I just got my first Leica this past weekend - a 1956 M3, DS converted to SS. Seems to work fine so far. Anyway, the seller included an extra lens for free because it's not fully functional... It's a screw-mount Elmar 9cm 1:4 (90mm f/4), non-collapsable. It seems to be in mostly decent shape except that the aperture ring doesn't adjust the aperture. It's stuck most of the way open, and the ring just rotates without changing the opening. I see two screw holes on the aperture ring, but no screws. I'm guessing there are supposed to be set screws that make the ring adjust the aperture. My question: Are the screws tough to find for this? If so, I'm hoping that's all it takes to fix the aperture. It would be nice to turn a freebie into a usable portrait lens. I don't think it would be worth the money to send it in for repair based on what these go for on eBay or KEH. Any thoughts? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted February 8, 2011 Posted February 8, 2011 Hi ploafmaster, Take a look here Aperture Ring Screws. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
doubice Posted February 8, 2011 Share #2 Posted February 8, 2011 Hello and welcome to the forum! Here is a 'quick and dirty' photo of what the screws look like. Total length is 5.4mm, screw thread is 1.7mm. If you find some 1.7mm screws somewhere, and are not afraid of some fine filing work, you may be able to fix it. If there is nothing else missing on the inside and just the screws are gone, once you find the correct positioning for the aperture ring, it should be quite simple. Depending on how handy you are, the front lens section of the 90mm Elmar is quite easy to disassemble. First step will be to unscrew the lens unit from the focusing mount - just grab the front of the lens in one hand while holding the rear by the focusing mount and turn anti-clockwise. Good luck, Jan 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! 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/143575-aperture-ring-screws/?do=findComment&comment=1581535'>More sharing options...
Xmas Posted February 8, 2011 Share #3 Posted February 8, 2011 Hi everybody! First of all, if this is the wrong forum for a repair-type question, please forgive a newbie and point me in the right direction... So: I just got my first Leica this past weekend - a 1956 M3, DS converted to SS. Seems to work fine so far. Anyway, the seller included an extra lens for free because it's not fully functional... It's a screw-mount Elmar 9cm 1:4 (90mm f/4), non-collapsable. It seems to be in mostly decent shape except that the aperture ring doesn't adjust the aperture. It's stuck most of the way open, and the ring just rotates without changing the opening. I see two screw holes on the aperture ring, but no screws. I'm guessing there are supposed to be set screws that make the ring adjust the aperture. My question: Are the screws tough to find for this? If so, I'm hoping that's all it takes to fix the aperture. It would be nice to turn a freebie into a usable portrait lens. I don't think it would be worth the money to send it in for repair based on what these go for on eBay or KEH. Any thoughts? If its serial number is post 1913001 it is a collector and I'd recommend a pro repair, and sale on forum... The other possibility is the aperutre mechansm may have been damaged or bodged, local camera reapir person should be ok. Noel Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ploafmaster Posted February 8, 2011 Author Share #4 Posted February 8, 2011 Thanks folks! doubice, that was fantastically detailed, and the pictures are helpful, too. I'll see what I can find. Were these same screws used on any other lens? That way I could broaden my options if I pick up a lens "for repair" on eBay or something. Xmas - alas, the serial number is 1111127, so it may not be so collectible. I suppose I'll try to fix it myself. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
doubice Posted February 8, 2011 Share #5 Posted February 8, 2011 If its serial number is post 1913001 it is a collector and I'd recommend a pro repair, and sale on forum... Noel Noel, You are probably referring to the three element version. To receive such a lens free (as the OP did) would certainly be very special gift. Only about 540 were made in thread mount..... Best, Jan Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xmas Posted February 8, 2011 Share #6 Posted February 8, 2011 Noel, You are probably referring to the three element version. To receive such a lens free (as the OP did) would certainly be very special gift. Only about 540 were made in thread mount..... Best, Jan Hi Jan One lives in hope about 6000 in M mount, a collector would want one of each. Lots of the lenses must live in drawers, waitig for estate sales... Noel Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
doubice Posted February 8, 2011 Share #7 Posted February 8, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) Thanks folks! .....Were these same screws used on any other lens? That way I could broaden my options if I pick up a lens "for repair" on eBay or something. Xmas - alas, the serial number is 1111127, so it may not be so collectible. I suppose I'll try to fix it myself. I don't recall if other lenses shared those screws and am not ready to start taking my lens collection apart... Now that you have the pictures of the screws, you may contact various technicians (DAG, Sherry Krauter etc, even Leica N.J.) to find out if they may have the screws. Before you spend money and time though, find out if all is well with the aperture system, if there is no fog, fungus or separation in the lens. These 90mm LTM Elmars can often be found for less tan US$80 - don't overspend on the reapir..... Best, Jan Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ploafmaster Posted February 8, 2011 Author Share #8 Posted February 8, 2011 I don't recall if other lenses shared those screws and am not ready to start taking my lens collection apart... Now that you have the pictures of the screws, you may contact various technicians (DAG, Sherry Krauter etc, even Leica N.J.) to find out if they may have the screws. Before you spend money and time though, find out if all is well with the aperture system, if there is no fog, fungus or separation in the lens. These 90mm LTM Elmars can often be found for less tan US$80 - don't overspend on the reapir..... Best, Jan Good advice, thanks! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jhild Posted February 12, 2011 Share #9 Posted February 12, 2011 Then "pin" end of these screws fits into small holes in the inner ring that works the aperture blades. To find out about the aperture working or not you have to take the lens apart to get to that inner ring. I´m working a lot on Leica lenses and cameras and believe most of the screws used were just made for them, these are no common screws used elsewhere. A way to fix the problem could be to use different screws of the same lenght and cut new threads in the aperture ring(with the numbers on) and do the same to the inner ring as well or to just widen the slit for the "pin" end in the inner ring. Please note the original screws only screw to the "outer" aperture ring that you see (with the numbers on). If you shine a light into the holes of the outer ring you might eventually see the holes on the inner ring where the "pin" fits into. So if you use different screws you might have to work on the inner ring as well. Tools are available from microtools.com Jo Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ploafmaster Posted February 17, 2011 Author Share #10 Posted February 17, 2011 Just a quick update: Got a pair of screws from DAG and they were all that I needed to fix the problem. Now I have a portrait lens as well! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tobey bilek Posted February 17, 2011 Share #11 Posted February 17, 2011 The common scew mt elmars are $100. Then you need an adapter to get it on an M body. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ploafmaster Posted February 17, 2011 Author Share #12 Posted February 17, 2011 The common scew mt elmars are $100. Then you need an adapter to get it on an M body. Yup - that's what I have, and I already have a Leica adapter. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tdtaylor Posted February 17, 2011 Share #13 Posted February 17, 2011 Just a quick update: Got a pair of screws from DAG and they were all that I needed to fix the problem. Now I have a portrait lens as well! Great news. I was going to recommend DAG- they have mentioned to me in the past they have bins of this stuff. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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