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Tri Elmar 28-35-50 focusing problem


Ario Arioldi

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On two diffeerent occasions I encountered plroblems in coupling the RF with the Tri-Elmar on my M8.

I do not think the problem is with the camera since I can focus perfectly with all my other lenses and usually with the Tri-Elmar as well.

Has any of you experienced similar problems?

I suspect the focal lenght selector may have something to do with it but this is just a guess.

Ario

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What sort of problems? The coupling of the focussing to the rangefinder is separate from the activation of the framelines. You need to make sure the focal length is properly selected as well. Do you have an original (flared lens barrel) or second version (depth of field marks)?

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I have the first version of the Tri-Elmar.

During a shooting test I found that the images were definitely out of focus with all the three focal lenghts.

After having removed and then reinstalled the lens I got again perfectly focused images.

In a previous occasion I noticed that there was no corrispondence between the actual distance of the subject from the camera and the distance shown on the lens after focusing; again after changing the focal lenght and or reinstallling the lens(I do not remember) everything was again normal.

Ario

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Ario--

What you describe should not happen. Of course, with the Tri-Elmar there are several points where an error could occur.

 

First, the lens must be locked in position (lock button pops up into lens detent) because normal use of the lens will require putting some rotational pressure on it.

 

If the lens doesn't snap into position, focus may be off; and because all three focal lengths use the same focusing cam, focus would be off for all three.

 

Second, you must be sure that each focal length snaps into position when shooting with that focal length; otherwise, lens elements are at an indeterminant location and can't guarantee accurate focus.

 

I know what I've just said is obvious. You say you've run into the problem twice, so I just want to re-hash what I see as possible sources of user error.

 

The difference between the first and the current versions of the 28-35-50 is mechanical, but I don't know what changes were made. Even though I have the current version of the lens, I have occasionally found that my focal-length setting was just beside the detent. That is, I thought I had snapped the lens to correct focal length position, but then discovered I had not done so.

 

Since you say you got bad focus with all three focal lengths, I don't think this is your problem. It sounds to me as if the lens either isn't mounting properly (could be caused by carelessness or by the lens); or else the lens has a problem.

 

These are opinions only. Hopefully, someone with better knowledge of the first version of the lens will respond to your question. Your best bet would be to compare notes with someone who has or has had the lens, or with Customer Service at a Leica agency.

 

Good luck!

 

--HC

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