Am I a Clueless Noob or Victim of a Bad 90 Collapsible?

[douglasgottlieb]

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Film arrived from Amazon.

 

M3 arrived from eBay. Looks clean and great.

 

Collapsible vintage 90 arrived. I mount it on the camera. Extend it. Aperture clicks smoothly. But focus is stuck. I know that this lens locks focus until lit is extended and twisted clockwise. I've done that. And tried pressing the button on the lens, bout that seems only to permit it to collapse.

 

Am I missing a key step or did I get suckered on eBay? I'm guessing its user error but can't find anything on Ken Rockwell or here to suggest what that might be.

 

Thanks in advance!

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[Westend_jon]

Have you pressed the focus button inwards to clear the detent? In other words there is a manual focus lock at one end of the focus range.

[douglasgottlieb]

I had been pressing it but evidently not hard enough or had not twisted it firmly enough. I've been handling these things like fine china It works now.

 

Thanks for the reply. What a great community there is here! Much appreciated

[Ecar]

I've been handling these things like fine china

There's no need. Pretty sturdy stuff. Given its age, the gear was probably well used before it came into your possession. Just avoid big knocks or drops and enjoy it.

[Michael Geschlecht]

Hello Douglas,

 

Welcome to the Forum.

 

I wouldn't be in too much of a rush to overly stress any M or any lens. Please remember: Like with any other fine mechanical instrument: These are like people: If you are forcing them, you may well be doing something wrong.

 

Some people might say: An M3 range/viewfinder is really designed for & at its best with a 90mm lens.

 

Best Regards,

 

Michael