Leica_red Posted August 24, 2013 Share #1  Posted August 24, 2013 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hi everyone,  I just bought an old (1961 apparently) Elmar 90mm lens. It is quite nice, but there's something that intrigues me. When I mounted it to my M3 I noticed that the middle of the distance indicator on the barrel doesn't line up with the top of the camera like other Leica lenses that I have... is this normal? As you can see from the pictures below.  Is this something that can be corrected or is the lens just supposed to be like that?  Any opinions would be appreciated 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/211317-elmar-90mm-lens-doesnt-line-up-with-m3-camera/?do=findComment&comment=2404105'>More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted August 24, 2013 Posted August 24, 2013 Hi Leica_red, Take a look here Elmar 90mm lens doesn't line up with M3 camera?!. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
250swb Posted August 24, 2013 Share #2 Â Posted August 24, 2013 It is perfectly normal. LTM designed lenses are supposed to be offset so that when an accessory finder is fitted you can easily see the settings from the side. Â Steve Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomB_tx Posted August 24, 2013 Share #3  Posted August 24, 2013 Not normal for an M-mount Elmar, as this appears to be. By 1961 it should line up like other M-mount lenses. Here's my Elmar on an M3: 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! I believe there may have been "M-mount" Elmars that started out as LTM and had adapters permanently installed, which might explain it, but I would have thought that would have been earlier production, and this looks like the real M-mount. Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! I believe there may have been "M-mount" Elmars that started out as LTM and had adapters permanently installed, which might explain it, but I would have thought that would have been earlier production, and this looks like the real M-mount. ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/211317-elmar-90mm-lens-doesnt-line-up-with-m3-camera/?do=findComment&comment=2404250'>More sharing options...
payasam Posted August 25, 2013 Share #4 Â Posted August 25, 2013 The distance index is clearly visible, so if the lens focusses correctly... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
elgenper Posted August 26, 2013 Share #5  Posted August 26, 2013 The distance index is clearly visible, so if the lens focusses correctly...  Ay, there´s the rub.....  The offset will put the RF cam on the lens in a different position relative to the RF coupling roller in the camera body. If the rear surface of the cam is ground in any way, there will be a considerable misfit between them, and focus will be off at least for some distances. Only experiment can tell if this is indeed the case here.  Likely, the lens was dismantled and reassembled by someone not quite up to the task.... Probably not too difficult to correct for a qualified technician. Had a very similar problem with a TeleElmar 135 I bought 2 years ago; after a visit to the local specialist, it is perfect now.  Btw, nice old M3´s both you and Tom are armed with... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
payasam Posted August 26, 2013 Share #6 Â Posted August 26, 2013 Correct. I did not think of the cam matter. I had a 9cm Elmar once but cannot remember if the cam was circular or in the form of a "tongue". Leica_red can tell us that and whether the lens focusses correctly on the M3. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomB_tx Posted August 26, 2013 Share #7  Posted August 26, 2013 Advertisement (gone after registration) Yes - the 90 Elmar focus cam was "calibration-ground" in the area that contacts the roller in the camera. At infinity you should see slight evidence of the grind just past the cut-out for the roller: 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! The grind can be very slight, but if the end of it doesn't line up properly the focus will be off at some positions. Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! The grind can be very slight, but if the end of it doesn't line up properly the focus will be off at some positions. ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/211317-elmar-90mm-lens-doesnt-line-up-with-m3-camera/?do=findComment&comment=2405772'>More sharing options...
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