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21 mm on M8


luigi bertolotti

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Salve Luigi,

 

As clearly stated on the user's manual, the three lenses that are NO-NO s on the M8 are

- Super Angulon 21mm

- Summicron 50/2 Dual Range

- Elmar 90/4 collapsible

 

Their rear elements protrude too deep inside the camera body, and there's risk of damaging the innards of the camera.

 

Best,

 

Eduardo

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Salve Luigi,

 

As clearly stated on the user's manual, the three lenses that are NO-NO s on the M8 are

- Super Angulon 21mm

- Summicron 50/2 Dual Range

- Elmar 90/4 collapsible

 

Their rear elements protrude too deep inside the camera body, and there's risk of damaging the innards of the camera.

 

Best,

 

Eduardo

Actually, about the super angulon the manual does not say "Cannot be used" - it says "exposure metering is not correct . . " This is in fact the case - I've got the SA 4.0. It mounts fine but metering doesn't work. It's delightfully compact - almost a pancake. But be prepared to use the "sunny f16" rule.

 

I haven't had time to sort out how I feel about the SA. The 4.0 does not have a great reputation, but the 1.33 crop factor improves a lot of old Leica lenses. Sometime over the next few months I'll spend serious time with it. These lenses have gotten a lot more expensive recently - maybe someone knows something that I haven't figured out yet.

 

When I need a 21 (which is often) I reach for the current model APO, which is truly sensaional.

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Actually, about the super angulon the manual does not say "Cannot be used" - it says "exposure metering is not correct . . " This is in fact the case - I've got the SA 4.0. It mounts fine but metering doesn't work. It's delightfully compact - almost a pancake. But be prepared to use the "sunny f16" rule.

 

I haven't had time to sort out how I feel about the SA. The 4.0 does not have a great reputation, but the 1.33 crop factor improves a lot of old Leica lenses. Sometime over the next few months I'll spend serious time with it. These lenses have gotten a lot more expensive recently - maybe someone knows something that I haven't figured out yet.

 

When I need a 21 (which is often) I reach for the current model APO, which is truly sensaional.

 

Thanks for the reply: well.... I also would like to have a 21 brand new but...money are important and I stilla have to buy my M8... and most of all I LOVE a lot my old lenses: really the 21 f4 is NOT a great lens, just a good one when used at 11 or 16, but in aesthetic terms is one of the finest Leitz lenses. On the contrary, the 21 f3,4 is VERY good: I use it a lot and hope to use it on the M8: thanks for the detailing of the usabilty on the M8: I checked the manual and effectively it states "meter not working", no more.

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I have tried the Biogon 21/2.8 ZM on my M8 and it wouldn't mount. There is something protruding in the back so that the bayonet wouldn't rotate to fit completely. Anyone with the same problem? I want to find out if this is a known issue.

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Hiroshi

 

I've got my ZM21 Biogon for nearly a month. A good lens producing gorgeous, saturated landscape images on my M8. I can also recall there are other members here using this lens on M8, no problem as what you experienced. Can you post a picture on what is the protuding part?

 

Best

Matthew

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Hiro-

I believe Sean Reid pointed this our, and others have found it also...a small plastic bump with undefined purpose is in the way, he says you can just force it into place and maybe the bump will wear down eventually. He surmises that is to protect some part of the camera from intrusion by a totally wrong lens.

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Mathew,

 

Okay, I got it working now!

 

It was the tight fit of the bayonet, a very tight one indeed, which almost felt like jamming and I hesitated. Also, after close inspection, I found no scratch on the inside of the body and I was evidently mistaken. So now, I'm getting the beautiful images!

 

Many thanks for your little push in my back.

 

-- hiro

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Steve,

 

There in no plastic bump that I can make out, on the lens nor inside M8. Nothing seems to have worn out either. However, the chrome mount (the ring) has worn out a bit and it's shiny in some parts after a few tries. That indicates the tightness of the fit and there is no tolerance at all.

 

-- hiro

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Steve,

 

There in no plastic bump that I can make out, on the lens nor inside M8. Nothing seems to have worn out either. However, the chrome mount (the ring) has worn out a bit and it's shiny in some parts after a few tries. That indicates the tightness of the fit and there is no tolerance at all.

 

-- hiro

Inside the throat of the M8 are two semi circular cut outs, at the back of the cut outs there is a small ridge. With some lenses like the 35 1.2 Nokton there's a shroud that can foul this ridge. In my M8 the cut outs in the camera body weren't symmetrically placed either side of the lens axis and fouled on one side only. The ridges are thickly painted and the chamber underneath is metal. When people have been able to "soft force" a lens to focus at infinity I suspect they've worn down the paint on the ridge.

 

Bob.

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As you cast about looking for a suitable 21mm for your M8, don't discount the non-ASPH 21mm Elmarit.

 

If the creek don't rise, or some other natural calamity prevent the UPS truck from making it down our lane this afternoon, I'll receive my 21mm Elamrit back from Leica when it has been serviced to add the appropriate 6-bit code. I don't yet have the Leica-promised 60mm IR-cut filter that this lens will wear, but I look forward to using this optic on my M8. (I'll use an auxiliary 28mm viewfinder for the new effective field of view that this lens will deliver on the M8.)

 

Yes, the current Leica 21mm lens is state-of-the-art, but I've never been disappointed when I used the non-ASPH Elmarit in the past with my film bodies.

 

BTW: total USA turnaround time for Leica 6-bit servicing of this particular lens is one month, door to door.

 

-g

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Inside the throat of the M8 are two semi circular cut outs, at the back of the cut outs there is a small ridge. With some lenses like the 35 1.2 Nokton there's a shroud that can foul this ridge. In my M8 the cut outs in the camera body weren't symmetrically placed either side of the lens axis and fouled on one side only. The ridges are thickly painted and the chamber underneath is metal. When people have been able to "soft force" a lens to focus at infinity I suspect they've worn down the paint on the ridge.

 

Bob.

 

Bob,

 

I confrimed the ridges you mentioned and they are in fact blocking the shroud of the Nokton 35/1.2 when turned to infinity. The focusing ring just doesn't turn far enough. I could go further but that would force the ridges on both sides to give away. Maybe a little filing on the shroud would solve the problem but I don't know what harm that would do.

 

The problem with the Biogon 21mm wasn't the ridges, it seems. It's working fine now. Thanks.

 

-- hiro

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Bob,

 

I confrimed the ridges you mentioned and they are in fact blocking the shroud of the Nokton 35/1.2 when turned to infinity. The focusing ring just doesn't turn far enough. I could go further but that would force the ridges on both sides to give away. Maybe a little filing on the shroud would solve the problem but I don't know what harm that would do.

 

The problem with the Biogon 21mm wasn't the ridges, it seems. It's working fine now. Thanks.

 

-- hiro

 

Have a look at this thread and posts #2 and #16 http://www.leica-camera-user.com/digital-forum/14494-anyone-tried-use-cv-35mm-nokton.html

 

As far as I can tell the function of the shroud on the Nokton is to protect the rear surface of the lens from accidental damage. I had to have two attempts at tapering the shroud before the lens would focus to infinity on the M8. The first attempt did not remove enough of the shroud. I did not allow for the thickness of the matt black paint that I used..

 

Bob.

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Bob,

 

Thanks for pointing me to the right direction. I'm afraid I didn't know you already discussed this and applied your superb craftsmanship to your Nokton as well. I may not be good enough to do the same and I will try to find out what Cosina service center in town may be able to officially do to help me.

 

-- hiro

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Hiro-

I believe Sean Reid pointed this our, and others have found it also...a small plastic bump with undefined purpose is in the way, he says you can just force it into place and maybe the bump will wear down eventually. He surmises that is to protect some part of the camera from intrusion by a totally wrong lens.

 

Hi Steve,

 

Actually, that interference came from the CV 35/1.2. I'm testing the 21s right now and they all fit fine on the M8, including the Zeiss.

 

Cheers,

 

Sean

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